Page 16 of The Silent Mountain (Under the Werewolf Crown #2)

sixteen

The Ceremony

*ALANA*

F ortunately, the remainder of the day passes by without further attacks or weird incidents, meaning we can all prepare for the ceremony. Stefan and Ludwig were mostly responsible for the organization, and they truly outdid themselves. The castle is always an eye-catcher, but now they brought out all the expensive decorations that Favian had stored in the basement; the entire family heirloom.

I always thought it would be a cliché that the dragons were rich and loved their gemstones and gold, but it’s not. They are very wealthy, they just don’t show it off. I am beyond relieved that Kilah sent me this beautiful dress, or I would have felt completely out of place.

Aza helps me with my hair, curling it up until I have luscious locks falling over my shoulders. “Your hair is longer now,” she says.

“I didn’t have any time to cut it,” I admit. “I kind of like it this way. Maybe I will get sick of it in a couple of months and cut it short again. I asked Favian which one he likes better.”

“And what did he say?” Aza asks while starting to do her own hair.

“He said he likes both.”

Aza smiles. “Then he is a keeper.”

She is wearing a high ponytail. With her thick, long hair, it looks stunning on her. She loves accessories and knows how to use them, putting small pearls into her hair, which makes it look like there are snow crystals in it. She is truly a queen through and through. “Alana?” She pulls me out of my thoughts. “Is something wrong?”

“I apologize, I was just…” I hesitate. “You are so much like a queen, Aza. And I just realized, as Favian’s mate, I will need to become his queen too. I don’t really fit the title.”

“Of course you fit it,” she says promptly. “You are just a different type of queen. You will be a warrior queen, and to be honest, that is exactly what the dragons need now.”

“Yesterday I talked about Ita,” I hear myself say all of a sudden. “And it didn’t hurt. Not like it did before.”

Aza looks at me thoughtfully. “But that’s good, isn’t it?”

“Am I not betraying her?” I mutter.

My sister-in-law takes my hands, squeezing them gently. “I didn’t know Ita for a long time, not as long as you did,” she says. “And I can’t even imagine what you went through. You lost your best friend and the woman you loved. But I am convinced Ita would have wanted for her princess and friend to be happy, and honestly, Alana,” she pauses. “I don’t want to be insensitive, but I don’t think…“ she breaks off, but I understand what she wants to say.

“She would have never accepted me as her chosen mate,” I conclude. “Especially when I would have met Favian.”

Aza nods. “She was very sincere and dutiful. Of course, we can’t say for certain. She might have accepted you as her mate.”

“The fact that I was a princess was always between us,” I sigh. “You are not wrong, Aza.”

“Alana, don’t make Ita your excuse for not giving Favian a chance,” she says. “Ita doesn’t deserve that. Neither does Favian.”

I look up at her words, eyeing her in surprise. My first instinct is to defend myself, but once I look into Aza’s eyes, meeting her intelligent and calm visage I know I can’t retort anything to her words that wouldn’t be a lie. In a way, I am running away, both from the mate bond and Favian, but also from my memories of Ita. She has been my excuse not to get serious with Favian ever since I met him.

All of this gives me a major headache.

“So, what’s with the drama between Shayan and Ty?” I ask to distract from my own complicated thoughts. “Aside from him being jealous of Shayan’s ex.”

Aza sighs. “Don’t ask me. Apparently, Tynan thinks he needs to man it up and become manly enough for Shayan. Endellion told him it’s not a competition, but you know Tynan better than I do.”

“Yes, he is too stubborn for his own good. I mean, the icy general let him mark him. This should mean something.”

Aza chuckles. “Shayan isn’t half as icy as he appears. I am sure he loves Tynan deeply.”

“Did he tell him?” I ask.

“I am not sure. I doubt he would easily talk about his feelings,” she admits.

Maybe that’s the problem. I know Ty. He wears his heart on his sleeve, and he is obviously head over heels for his handsome, stoic mate. Shayan, however, is a much more distant and composed man. They need to learn to communicate better. Maybe I can nudge Tynan in the right direction.

“And what about my siblings? Any news? You said Kilah was traveling.”

“Oh, Flinn went with my brother to the human realm,” she says. “And guess what? Kilah is accompanying him!”

“No way!” I exclaim. Of all my siblings, Flinn and Kilah have always liked each other the least. Flinn has always taken a particular liking to me, while Kilah used to look down on me for not being a typical princess. It was the reason for Flinn always calling her out on her attitude. We mended our bond recently, and it seems Flinn and Kilah did the same. Still, to imagine she would actually accompany him. “How come?”

“Well, my home country is very traditional and has a tight protocol to follow. And you know Flinn. He doesn’t care about these things at all.” Aza smiles. “Kilah, however, knows everything about the proper protocols. She will do well with the palace and my father.”

“I am curious how this will play out,” I mutter. “I am not so worried about Kilah. You are right, she will cope well. But Flinn…”

“Maybe Flinn is what my former home needs,” Aza says. “Things have been off there for a while.”

“And you think Flinn can put things into order again?” I ask, amused. “I think he will rather rile everything up.”

“Riling everything up might just be the best,” she chuckles. “As the werewolf king’s brother, Flinn has immunity and can do as he pleases. I hope he makes something out of it.”

“Knowing Flinn, the king of mischief, he will.” I put on a beautiful necklace, a piece my mom gifted to me, and get up to turn to Aza. “Be honest, how do I look?”

“If Favian doesn’t get speechless from seeing you, I don’t know what will because you look amazing.”

“Kilah really knows her craft,” I admit. “Can you tell her when you see her again?”

“I will, but I think she would be happy to hear it from you.”

“I could write her a letter,” I say. “Or would that be weird?”

“No, I think she would be incredibly happy to receive a letter from you, especially when you tell her that you loved something she picked for you.”

Aza gets up also and stretches lightly. By our Goddess Aine, everything she does is so graceful. Next to her, I feel like a klutz. I try not to compare myself to her though. She is my brother’s beloved wife and his queen, and I love her like a sister. So, I try to focus on what she told me about how I am my own type of princess and future queen, and how the dragons might need someone like me.

This gives me a new sprout of confidence. “So, how am I going to have my very own dramatic entrance?” I ask Aza. “Oh, and just so you know, don’t you dare tell anyone that I just asked that.”

Aza smirks. “I would never,” she says. “Let me go first with Tynan and Shayan,” she advises. “You wait for fifteen minutes. I will tell Favian that something came up with your dress. And then you will make your entrance, all by yourself, all eyes on you. They have not seen you in such an exquisite dress yet. Believe me, they won’t be able to take their eyes off you.”

Should I really do that? I am not normally one to bask in this type of attention. I am very much the athletic girl with rather sporty attire, but for once, I want to be a princess.

Let’s do it, Ros exclaims. I want to see our mate’s expression!

“Ros is on board,” I tell Aza. “And I am too.”

I hope I won’t regret it, and I certainly hope the dragons won’t laugh at me. There is no time to change my mind, though, because Aza is already hurrying outside to meet with Shayan and Ty and leaves me behind.

My heart beats so fast, I have difficulty calming it. Why am I so nervous? I have never been like that. I don’t know why this is so important for me; I just know it is. It seemingly takes forever for fifteen minutes to pass, but eventually, they do, and I find myself standing up again, swiftly brushing over my dress, before taking a deep breath.

Let’s do this.

The corridor to the huge ceremony hall, where everyone is gathering, is long and vacant, and my footsteps echo throughout until I reach the massive entrance door. There are two guards there, reaching out their hands to open it for me.

When I step out onto the balustrade and begin descending the stairs, I realize one thing: Aza was right. All eyes are on me.

And another thing: It was worth it!

My confidence grows with every step I take, my gaze pinned to my mate, who has made his way through the guests and just stares at me through wide eyes. I have never seen him look at me like that. He looks surprised, fascinated and very hungry. His eyes turn to yellow reptile eyes for a brief moment, just making Ros’ and my excitement grow. His gaze seems to burn itself on my skin, making it tingle slightly.

I don’t even notice what the others are saying or doing. I thought I would maybe bask in their attention if I received a positive one, but now that it’s happened, I couldn’t care less. All I care about is how Favian looks at me. Once down the stairs, he walks towards me, reaching out his hand. With a smile, I take it, confidently walking next to him.

“You look fantastic,” he says, not minding that everyone can hear him. “You are like a fire that is burning in the Silent Mountain and keeps us all alive and going.”

I don’t know much about the dragons yet, and certainly not about their royalty, but even I can tell that hearing these words from the Dragon King in person means something. I peer at him, noting how fabulous he looks. His clothes are silvery and white, going well with his silver hair and his piercing blue eyes. “I will happily be the fire of your lands,” I say. “If that is what your land wants.”

I have no idea what got into me when I said that, but the effects of my words are all too visible. Elio, who has walked next to us, stares at me with his mouth open. In Stefan’s eyes, I can see surprise but also a glint of joy, while Barbara and Ludwig just look happy.

Apparently, for a werewolf princess to say what I just said means something.

“You chose the perfect moment,” Barbara mutters to me a couple of minutes later, when Favian has taken his position in the middle of the hall to grant the new clan members their dragons.

“How come?” I whisper.

“We have a lot of new members joining today,” she says. “It was important for them to see their king with a strong and committed mate. They have heard about you, but now they have seen you and your confidence.”

“But… it was just… I don’t know, I don’t want to call it a game, but…“

“It doesn’t matter,” she reassures me. “To them, it meant something, and it proved that they are making the right decision to return to their clan. They know we can defend ourselves now, even with the danger that still lurks around us. Just look.”

I turn my attention back to the ceremony, watching how the first dragon shifter steps forward. She walks confidently, briefly glancing at me while she does so, and my heart makes a jump for joy. If I managed to give her a little confidence, then Barbara is right; it was worth it.

She is a woman in her early twenties, born shortly before the years of war, and grew up while still in hiding. I watch in fascination as Favian holds a round, polished crystal in his hands. It’s white, but there seem to be strings of light wandering through it. The young woman reaches out her hand, placing it on top of the crystal. For a while, nothing happens, then the color of the crystal changes, slowly turning from translucent to a beautiful gold-bronze.

For a moment, it’s silent, then cheers erupt in the hall, and everyone applauds.

“Congratulations, Carola,” Favian says with a smile. He puts the crystal away before resting his hand on the woman’s head. For a fleeting moment, I can see Favia coming forward, but only briefly. Strings of light leave Favian’s fingertips, moving around his hand for a time before circling the young woman. Favian pulls his hand away and takes a step back, while the light around the woman turns into the same bronze shade as the crystal ball and keeps surrounding her until I can barely see her.

A couple of minutes later, the light subsides, disappearing into the woman’s chest. She has her eyes closed and opens them with a gasp, revealing reptilian eyes to us. More cheers fill the hall, and Carola clasps her hand to her mouth. Her eyes turn back to normal, now brimming with tears.

“An earth dragon,” Favian says. “We don’t have many of those left.”

“Here is one!” Barbara exclaims.

When Favian nods his approval, Barbara dashes forward and hugs Carola. “Earth dragons are the best,” she whispers with a bright smile.

Carola beams, resting her hand on her chest. “I didn’t know what I was missing,” she admits.

Her words seem to work like magic on the rest. You don’t know what you miss when you don’t have it.

When Favian takes out his crystal again, there are suddenly many more new clan members who are eager to be next in line. I can feel through the bond how happy it makes him to have them all so eagerly want their dragon spirits, to see them lose their fear and anxiety, or trying to overcome it. They are placing their faith in him as their king.

This is his victory.

The ceremony is a long one, as Favian takes his time for each new member, the way they deserve. He also gives them each a moment with their fellow clan members to congratulate them and have them feel welcomed. It’s long but not boring. No matter how often I watch him bless them with their dragon spirit, it’s fascinating each and every time.

Hours later, the ceremony is wrapped up and the buffet is served, a huge feast for everyone who attended. I make sure to mingle with the new clan members so that they get to know me, and to my surprise, they don’t seem to be taken aback by me being a werewolf.

“They know it was you who helped save us,” Favian tells me. “They also know that while everyone forgot we existed and thought we were dead, you still believed in us.” He gazes around and watches the dragon shifters–the commoners–mingle with the royal guards and with our guests. “Times have changed,” he says. “For the better.”

Favian and I are still chatting when Shayan approaches us. “I apologize for interrupting,” he says in a low voice.

Favian and I are both instantly on guard at the tone of his voice. “Did something happen?” Favian asks.

“No,” Shayan mutters. “But the harbinger is asking for you to meet him outside.”

Cù Sìth?

Favian and I exchange a glance, and Favian puts his hand on the small of my back, guiding me through the crowd. He bows his head in my direction, making it look like we are talking and just wanting to get some fresh air. Without attracting anyone’s attention, we manage to sneak outside. Just as Shayan promised, Cù Sìth is waiting for us, the huge mythical dog-creature hiding in the shadows of the night.

“You came,” he growls. “Good.”

“What happened?” I ask.

“I have traced the mare’s steps,” he says. “And I think you need to know immediately.”

“You know where the traces lead to,” Favian concludes.

“No,” Cù Sìth says. “And that’s the problem. There are no traces.”

Favian and I exchange a gaze. “Does that mean-“

“Yes, it is as I feared,” Cù Sìth growls. “The mare did not escape, nor did it sneak onto these lands. Someone brought it here.”

“Who?” Favian asks. “Who is able to do that without leaving any traces?”

“It has to be a powerful enemy,” Cù Sìth mutters.

“Why is it targeting us?”

“It’s not targeting you alone,” Cù Sìth answers. “My messengers have mentioned to me that weird things are happening in the human realm also, and other shifters have mentioned unusual happenings. It’s only more obvious here in the dragon lands.”

“We need to stop it,” I say. “Before this unknown enemy does any more harm.”

“I agree,” Favian says. “I will have Stefan invite our most entrusted allies to a conference tomorrow. Alana, the new witch?”

“I sent two warriors to invite her,” I say. “I made sure to send someone Ludwig and Barbara trusted. Azadeh sent a messenger to her, as well.”

“We need to return to the festivities now,” Favian says. “After many years, the dragons are feeling a sense of unity again. I need to build on it for the dangers that might still be coming.”

“That’s a wise decision,” Cù Sìth says. “Play your cards well, Dragon King with the silver hair, and Favia, the mysterious deity. You haven’t been dealt the worst hand. It had been much grimmer once.”

“I will do anything to protect everyone,” Favian says with grim finality in his words. “Even if it’s the last thing I do.”