Wind scattered sparkles of frost through the air, and Kalie tugged her scarf tighter. Flurries trickled down on Aunt Calida’s motionless statue like specks of melting ash.
“She died fighting for freedom. We’ll finish what she started.”
“We will.” Mother brushed snow off the statue’s shoulder. “Shewould’ve been proud of the way you handled the Advisorium. I heard the vote for war was unanimous.”
Kalie tucked her frozen hands under her arms. “They were furious about the Speaker’s murder, and it was a lot easier without Hewlett’s family obstructing everything.”
“What made it easier is you giving the council choices, Kalista. Once you assured them that a vote approving the war wouldn’t require their personal militias to fight, I imagine they were considerably more receptive.” Mother’s lips twitched upwards. “Although you’re right, removing the Hewletts did help. And while I find their replacements questionable, I think you showed good judgment.”
Kalie’s cheeks warmed.
Coming from Mother, that was practically‘I’m proud of you.’
She hadn’t done it alone. Her Advisorium’s new members—Zane and Mylis, Julian and Haeden—had been by her side every step of the way.
Mother cleared her throat and reached into a pocket in the folds of her skirt. “Lida loaned this to me long ago. A few days before she died, she asked me to send it back for her daughter.”
She drew out a ring. A large violet stone was set into a gleaming gold band, but it didn’t look like any gem she’d seen before.
Kalie stretched her fingertips towards the ring, but paused, frowning. The look on Mother’s face was a twisted mixture of envy, guilt, and grudging acceptance. She lowered her hand.
Mother caught her wrist, turned her palm over, and placed the ring there.
“I think you should have it.”
A lump swelled in Kalie’s throat as she held the ring up to the limited light. Other than the gem, the band was simple and unadorned. In Aunt Calida’s massive collection of rings, it wouldn’t have stood out.
Yet of all her jewelry, this was what Aunt Calida had wanted to give Lexie.
“You know…” Kalie scuffed her shoe in the snow. “I’m not justherdaughter.”
Wind whistled past, stinging Kalie’s skin. A collection of decaying leaves circled them twice, then flitted away in the breeze.
When she summoned the courage to look up, Mother wore a tiny smile. It was so small that it would’ve been easy to miss, but her eyes shone with the quiet joy she’d seen every time Aunt Calida had looked at her.
Mother lifted the back of her pale blonde hair and unclasped Coriana Roth’s diamond pendant, motioning for her to turn.
Kalie’s mouth gaped open.
Again, Mother motioned for her to turn. She did.
“Lift your hair.”
Gathering the thick golden strands, Kalie pulled them over her shoulder. Chills raced across her skin as Mother’s cold fingers brushed against her neck, clasping the necklace.
The cool diamond pendant settled on her chest, and Mother’s glacial eyes glittered.
Were those… tears?
Kalie dropped her gaze to the sparkling pendant. As she raised her hand, with Aunt Calida’s ring on her third finger, she could’ve sworn a violet aura surrounded the gemstone.
The two pieces didn’t go together at all, an elegant diamond necklace and a gaudy violet ring, but they felt right together. Both of them were a part of her.
She smiled at Mother, and as Mother blinked her tears away, she smiled back.
“With the powervested in me by Queen Azura, I now present Her Majesty, Duchissa Kalista Hannover. Long live the Duchissa!”
The deafening cheer drowned out the trumpets and fanfare.
