Page 73

Chapter seventy-one

A strid stood side-by-side with Dimitri before a towering pair of double beam doors. Being locked out of the Three-Faced Mother’s temple left her uneasy. She couldn’t recall seeing them closed before and silently counted the serpents carved into the oak to calm her nerves.

The overlapping chatter of the crowd seeped into the palace hall. Ledivites and Clorean nobles crowded the pews and argued over their perceived importance.

“I don’t see why they are making you wait,” Dimitri said, outstretching his wing.

Astrid tugged him back before his talon reached the doors. “Our guests are taking their seats. They’re anxious to meet the King of Ledivion and the Queen of Clorea.”

“They will meet the Queen of Ledivion and Clorea, escorted by her Death Spirit,” Dimitri corrected.

“You’re the only royal I’ve met who hates his crown,” Astrid whispered.

He leaned into her and curled his index under her chin. Their lips met—the same reverent greeting he woke her with each morning.

“The only thing I desire is you,” he whispered.

Astrid straightened, running her hands down her corset. “In truth, you desired a larger bed and shower,” she reminded him.

He chuckled and the sound felt like a caress. “Fate blessed you with a Ledivite male.”

She leaned into him and didn’t immediately shove his bony appendage away when his wing curled around her.

During the past week, earth weavers had built them a new suite, installed her birdcages throughout her throne room, and added the aquarium for Ambrose’s eyes into the bed she shared with Dimitri.

The ambient conversations hushed to silence when the heavy doors parted.

White marble silhouettes filled her view.

The statue of the Three-Faced Mother holding a serpent in her cupped hands was visible first, followed by identical statues on either side of her.

The doors opened wider, revealing the robed female on the left holding an egg and the snake’s shed held by the figure on the right.

Astrid walked with her hand curved in the crook of Dimitri’s arm.

Crimson silk laced through her pauldron and paneled over her breasts.

Her platinum corset accented with phoenix feathers caged her waist and the train behind her bled the red silk into black.

From the back of her corset, dozens of delicate chains studded with hundreds of diamonds spilled across her skirt.

Viktor had hand stitched each hinge into place along her train, orchestrating her vision of stars against the night sky.

She glanced at her sword as they passed both winged and non-winged guests.

The sashed, flowing robes worn by male Clorean royals didn’t suit him, but he’d worn crimson silk for her.

Their joint kingdoms would witness Dimitri dressed as the King of Clorea, if only for today.

Her husband was happy to fade into the shadows, but she would make certain their joint rule was recognized and acknowledged.

They reached the dais and took three short steps to stand before the Three-Faced Mother.

A priestess stood behind the altar, where the Serpents’ Crown rested at the center.

Her black hair gleamed against her vermillion robes.

The hooded cloak she wore mimicked the goddess behind her, obscuring her face.

She raised her arms out to either side and called, “Fate has drawn these souls together.”

“For the serpent guides them,” the crowd answered in unison.

The priestess lowered her hands and interlaced them in front of her. Two other priestesses dressed in the same manner joined her. They slid two wine glasses in front of Astrid and Dimitri, then filled them with red wine. A single golden chalice was placed between them.

Astrid and Dimitri turned to face each other. The heat in his molten gold eyes consumed her and he lifted his glass first.

“I accept my path and bind my fate to yours, daragája,” Dimitri said, pouring every drop of his glass into the chalice.

Astrid held her glass, pressing it to her heart before lifting it in Dimitri’s honor. The male who’d laid the stars at her feet. The male she loved and could now recognize was always her fate.

“I accept my path and bind my fate to yours,” she said, emptying her glass into the chalice.

She lifted the heavy goblet and brought it to Dimitri’s lips. He swallowed, brushing his fingers over hers as he took the cup symbolizing their shared life. He lowered the rim to her lips and the honeyed wine coated her tongue.

The priestesses spoke in unison as Dimitri returned the chalice to the altar.

“May your union be blessed by the Three-Faced Mother.”

“And may the serpents guide you,” the crowd answered.

Dimitri lifted the Serpents’ Crown from the altar. The weight of it settled on her crown, and she gazed up at the sword fate had gifted her through her lashes.

“Her Majesty Astrid Noctis, Queen of Clorea and Ledivion, and His Majesty Dimitri, Queen Astrid’s Death Spirit. Long may they reign.”

“As their fates allow.” Their audience’s reply was more a cheer than prayer.

“Until the stars burn from the sky,” Dimitri murmured before tasting her lips.

Astrid smiled, returned his kiss, then promised, “And the seas turn to ash.”