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He shook his head ever so slightly. “I cannot, not until we are wed. But fear not, I will be with you, as your consort, until then.”
Glancing to the side, I saw that seated near the throne were Luna and Peyton, Chatter and Rhiannon. Rhiannon wore a dress like mine, only as Druise had told me, it was of gold and green, and her cloak was woven of leaves and roses. Her hair had shifted, and I realized that it was no longer red but had changed to a honey gold, shimmering in the lanterns holding the Ice Elementals. And Lainule, her hair was deep red, almost mahogany.
As we approached the throne, my guards fell to the side, as did Grieve, and then Wrath swept in to stand by Lainule’s side, his jet hair sparkling with frost now. I gazed up at my father, willing him to be young again, willing him to stay and guide me, but even as I wished, I knew it was simply that—a wish, a dream, and not a possibility.
Drummers beat out a tattoo as Lainule motioned for me to come forward. I approached, alone and feeling like the weight of the world was hovering over my head, a silver sword held by a thread of ice and snow.
And then it was a blur…
“Do you, Cicely Tuuli Waters, accept the burden of this crown…”
“Do you accept responsibility for the lives of your people…”
“Do you bind yourself to the Court of Snow and Ice…”
“Do you give pledge by your life, your soul, your heartstone, to protect and defend the realm of Winter…”
“Do you leave past allegiances behind and cleave only to your responsibility as Queen of Winter…”
“Do you pledge to lead the Court of Snow and Ice in honor, courage, in both light and in darkness…”
The questions went on and on, and to each I murmured an affirmation, losing myself in the cadence of the ceremony. The lights flickered their cool light, and I had only eyes for Lainule and Wrath. I had been born for this moment, been led back to New Forest, been thrown into the fray against Myst, and she was still out there, waiting for me, hating me for taking the throne she could not have for her own.
And then…the last question came.
“Will you wear the crown, in joy? And will you wear this crown even when it weighs so very heavy upon your brow that you wish you were no more of this world?” Lainule lifted up a silver circlet like the one I’d been wearing, only more elaborate. Entwining silver vines coiled around each other, creating a delicate yet sturdy diadem. They met at a point in the center to wrap around a glowing black onyx cabochon. Below the gem, a clear, single diamond sparkled.
“I do so swear.” I gazed into her eyes, my stomach flipping as she raised the circlet and lowered it around my head. The hairstyle Druise had given me allowed her to slip the ends behind my ears, and the crown settled onto my head with a shudder.
“Then, all who witness, hear and know this: Cicely Waters has taken the burden of this Court upon her shoulders and will now and forever be the Queen of Winter, the Queen of Ice and Snow. Let all who behold her fear and tremble. Let no one question her authority. Hail the Queen of Winter! Hail the new Faerie Queen of the Eldburry Barrow!”
And I stood there, amid the cheering and bowing that came from the crowds, wearing my beautiful dress and my sparkling crown, and my heart soaked up the frost that laid waste to the land, and my soul reveled under the rule of the longest night of the year.
Chapter 10
When the ceremony was finished, Lainule whispered to me that it would be a good idea if, for my first announcement, I declared Grieve to be my Consort and King-Elect. It was expected that I make some sort of speech, and so I stepped up to the throne. Hesitating, I turned to my father, and he nodded for me to sit.
Inhaling sharply, I looked around the Court. Everyone fell silent, waiting for me. Slowly, deliberately, I lowered myself to the throne, and a soft rustle of air rolled through the throne room as everyone exhaled.
“My first order of business is to declare Grieve my Consort and King-Elect. We are to be married, and he will rule at my side.” I wasn’t sure of how to phrase it, but by the appreciative murmurs, I apparently did just fine.
Wrath and Lainule knelt before me and I stared at them, feeling entirely disconcerted. After a moment’s fluster, I hurriedly motioned to them.
“Please, stand.”
They stood, again, silent, and I realized they were waiting for me to give them permission to speak.
“What do you want? I mean…what is it?” As I stammered over the words, my face began to flush and I tried to hide my embarrassment. I was so not ready for this.
But Lainule gave me a gentle smile and whispered something, and I could hear her on the slipstream telling me to be calm, to take it slow and everything would be all right. I inhaled a long, deep breath and let it out slowly, calming myself.
“Your Highness, we must return to the Marburry Barrow to see to Summer’s coronation. If you wish to attend, your guard and advisor shall escort you. If you would give us leave to go…” Again, a gentle prompting.
This time I got it. “Of course, you may go. And trust me, I’ll be there with bells on.”
She laughed, lightly, and the rest of the Court laughed with her. I decided right then and there that they’d have to get used to a less-than-regal approach to the crown.
As they began to leave the room, I realized I had to dismiss everyone else. In a moderate panic, I looked around for guidance. Grieve was too far away to be of any help, but Strict was standing there, right by my side. He must have seen the indecision running rampant on my face because he leaned close to me.
