She extended her arm toward me, beckoning me to join her in the center of the dais. Gage lightly kicked my foot, trying to get me to move, but it felt as if I was bolted to the floor.
“Go, you idiot,” Gage whispered in a room full of fae, causing chuckles to escape the first few rows of seats.
I shot him a quick look over my shoulder, and then my eyes met the queen’s. A beautiful, delicate smile adorned her face as she held her hand out to me, waiting for me to join her.
I took the few steps up to where she stood before her throne as Veli took a few silent steps back to her place in line with Avery and Zaela.
“This wasn’t part of our plan, my queen.”
My fingers interlocked with hers, and then her voice filtered to me. “I love you, and it wasalwayspart of mine.”
The corners of my lips lifted at that.
“This man,” she spoke aloud as her eyes remained on me before slowly drifting to the hundreds of pairs on us. “You know this man as the great commander of the mortal armies, who was once believed to be our enemy. The man who helped us win this war, who has protected his people since he swore an oath to them at a young age, just as I had…averylong time ago,” she said with a small giggle, and the crowd echoed it.
“Jace is much more than that, though, for you see…he is everything to me. He stands before you today not only as a commander of war and protector of the realm…but also as my husband and mate.” She paused for a moment, and the crowd remained still and silent. “And your king consort.”
Small murmurs erupted, and she lifted her opposite hand that held mine to silence them again.
“You’ll have to excuse me, for you should all know by now that I’m not one to follow rules or traditions, and I much prefer to make things up as I go along…” Brief laughter echoed once more, and a smirk found my lips. “A private wedding was held. It was special and beautiful, and when we truly didn’t know if we would make it out of the great war alive. So today, I ask one more thing of the realm—to accept my husband and mate…” She turned to me and gaveme a quick wink. “Jace Cadoria-Valderre, as Velyra’s King Consort.”
Veli appeared at my side a second later, a silver crown fit for a king in her grasp that I had never seen before. She motioned for me to bow, and I obeyed. The witch placed the crown atop my head, and my eyes flared in disbelief at what was happening before everyone. She vanished once more, appearing back at Avery’s side.
Lia’s eyes watched me intently, a smile adorning her perfect face, with eyes radiating love as she stared up at my crown. Her gaze then scanned over the quiet room. “So, Velyra…what say you?!” she bellowed, every bit the former captain.
The masses of Velyra’s lords, mercenaries, and countrymen, both of fae and mortal heritage, erupted into a booming cheer for her—forus.
I turned to face the queen of the realm. My heart, once so cold and ruthless, beamed with pride and love for the goddess that stood before me atop her dais.
“And what say you, Commander?” she asked softly.
“Long live the queen,” I answered, and then my arms wrapped around her waist, twirling her in a dip before pressing my lips to hers for the realm to see.
If I thought the crowd had been cheering before, it didn’t even compare to the sound erupting from them now. When I opened my eyes, I found hers staring up at me.
“And you, my Lia?”
“Long live the king,” she breathed.
Chapter eighty-one
Elianna
After the ceremony, Iwaltzed down the aisle, arm in arm with my mate, husband, and now king, as our court leisurely followed behind us. We walked through the throne room doors and out the front entrance of the castle, my Nyra girl trotting playfully around our feet as we made our way to Isla’s streets.
Nox sat atop the stone battlement, his favorite spot to perch in recent weeks, and chirped into the air at the sight of us approaching. Horses were at our sides, preparing to take my court through the awaiting crowds, as I was to be shown to the rest of the city as queen for the first time.
I looked up at Nox, who stared down at me, waiting for the command to descend to the ground, but I gave a slight shake of my head instead.
“As if you have never flown in a gown,” Jace teased from my side.
My stare moved back to the horses, where Matthias waited with the others. “I won’t be seen by the city from the skies. They will have plenty of chances to watch me wreak havoc through the clouds.” A smile formed on myface. “Landon,” I called over my shoulder. “Will you please bring Matthias to me?”
The castle’s former stable hand looked as if he would burst with joy as he ran up to my old mount and brought him to me, placing his reins in my hands.
“Hi, boy,” I greeted my warhorse and pressed my nose to his snout. “What do you say we have some fun, like old times, huh?”
More horses were brought for my entire court, and they mounted their steeds in unison with me. Veli used her magic to drape my gown gracefully along Matthias’ back while I sat upon my horse as I always had—a warrior.
