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Evelina

Soft murmurs broke through the crowd as the Sacred stepped forward. Evelina hadn’t seen her yet; it was as if she had emerged from beneath the shadows. The Sacred positioned herself in front of the ceremonial pyre, which burned for the entirety of the lux. Her voice vibrated with authority as she announced, “The Eternal Crown has chosen Carwyn.”

Everyone stilled.

“It hasn’t even been two days,” Annora whispered in disbelief.

“The realm is at war, Annora,” Aldric whispered in reply. “It must sense the need for new Essence to bind to.”

The Sacred disappeared into the crowd like a ghost in the wind. The murmurs grew louder and louder.

“We knew this day was coming,” Carwyn said firmly. “I have prepared for this with the council. We will ensure this transition happens as smoothly as possible.”

The chattering crowd quieted. She was already so good at commanding a crowd, so strong even in her grief. And she was right. She had been leading since their mother fell ill, already preparing for this moment. Evelina had always envied Carwyn’s fortitude, but now she was only grateful .

“As of now, there will be no consort in a realm at war with humans.” She took a deep breath, her eyes landing on Senna. He nodded his head once, encouraging her to go on. “Senna has been blessed by the late queen to be the first fae ruler to be married to a Manor.”

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

Carwyn raised her hand and added, “Senna is a strong leader, as you all know, gifted at keeping our seas safe. We’ve all lost so much. Let this be our hope toward a new future.”

“Breaking the tradition isn’t patching the problem up,” a lithe Woodland in the crowd gasped. “It’s severing it entirely.”

Carwyn shook her head, her voice gentle but firm as she said, “There is no human ruler to contest against Moros. Their houses are empty, their belongings left behind as nearly all of them have joined the rebels. The humans have chosen a path of darkness, one we will not follow. Eurydice—and two fae rulers united against them—will guide us to victory.”

Whispers settled into silence.

“Senna.” Carwyn looked at him, motioning for him to come forward. The crowd parted for him as he walked to her. He stopped by her side and gave her a quick nod.

They were loyal to their realm, and nobody could deny that two great leaders stood before them now.

“Senna will be crowned king in a way only a fae can be.” She held up a knife and he stuck his hand out. She cut into his palm, slicing deeply.

He held up his hand, hovering it above Carwyn. “I vow to protect this realm, to put it before all else and serve as king for as long as I live. To be tied to the Eternal Crown just as the Manors have been. I make this unbreakable oath to bind me to my word, so shall my blood be spilled tenfold as it is today should I break it.”

He squeezed his fist, letting his blood drop onto the fiery crown. The crown flared brighter.

A rumble of thunder clapped. Evelina looked up, finding dark clouds gathering in the sky above. A flash of lightning struck the ground by Carwyn’s feet, followed by a heavy crack . Screams and horrified gasps broke out through the crowd.

The crown of white fire above Carwyn’s head turned black.

Evelina took a step forward and Daimon grabbed her elbow. Carwyn’s eyes were wide with fear, reaching her arms out as if she couldn’t see. Her limbs stiffened and then relaxed entirely. She dropped to the ground, her body landing in a heap. Senna gasped and crouched down, disappearing with the crowd blocking Evelina’s view.

Evelina twisted out of Daimon’s grasp and ran to her sister, pushing the crowd aside. By the time she made it to Carwyn, people had already started backing away from her, whispering cries of a cursed omen. Evelina skidded to a halt, finding her sister’s normally olive skin pale and lifeless. She leaned down, ready to scoop her up and take her away to figure out what was going on.

“What happened?” she begged Senna. “Why is she like this?”

“A false queen,” a voice murmured from the crowd, striking dread into Evelina’s heart.

Senna ignored their words, trying to lift Carwyn by her shoulders. He motioned for Evelina to help when, without warning, she doubled over, gasping.

“Eve?” Daimon rushed to her side, rubbing her back to soothe her.

“Something’s not?—”

A blinding pain shot through her, causing her back to arch and her vision to blur. She screamed, falling into Daimon’s arms before hitting the ground. She heard her name being screamed by so many people, but she couldn’t make her mouth move to respond.

Another shock of pain shot through her, making her body go rigid and her vision go black entirely. Once the next wave hit, she felt like she was floating, no longer confined to a body held down by gravity.