AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Your Highness, just tell me to dismiss the Court. We’ve had so little time to prepare that everyone will forgive you a few breaches of formality.” He looked about ready to pat my hand but then pulled away.
I cleared my throat, grateful to him. “Strict, you may dismiss the Court.”
“As you desire, Your Highness.” He bowed, then turned to the man standing next to him. “Announce the dismissal.”
His companion picked up what looked like a trumpet. I steeled myself for some raucous sound, but the notes that floated out of it were sublime, like a series of wind chimes that reverberated through the room.
A moment later, when the talking had died down, he called out in a loud voice that ricocheted through the room, “Court is dismissed. You may go.”
And the crowd began to disperse, though some of them gave me a backward glance, as if they wanted to stay and meet me or hear me say something. I turned to Strict.
“If these were normal times, there would be a celebration, wouldn’t there?”
He nodded. “Yes, Your Highness, but these are not normal times, and as long as Myst is looming out there, we have to be cautious. We’ve given leave for small parties but have promised the people that when Myst is overthrown, both the Summer and Winter Courts will celebrate for a week.”
“Myst…yes.” As I looked around, I realized that this had been where Tabera had died. She’d died here, her blood soaking into the floors. I wondered if she was watching, from wherever the Cambyra spirits went when they died. Or had she gone on, long past caring?
Sobered, a little giddy, and oddly feeling anticlimactic, I motioned to Grieve. “We need to go to Marburry Barrow. I have to see Rhiannon take the throne.”
“Yes, but you cannot wear your coronation dress, now that you are Queen. It wouldn’t be proper. The only reason she wore hers is that the coronations are happening so close together. She did not intend to upstage you.”
“She didn’t upstage me, and frankly, as lovely as this dress is, I’d rather be in something easier to move in.” I reached up to take off the crown, but Grieve stayed my hand.
“From now on, at all times when you are out of your chambers, you must wear the crown, just as you did the Queen-Elect circlet. Even when you go into New Forest, and yes—I know you will still be doing so. I’ve given up expecting you to fully conform to our ways. I don’t think that’s even possible.” His eyes glimmered, though, and he laughed.
“I miss us-time. We haven’t had much time together the past few days. I miss spending time with the gang. Honestly, I’m scared, my love.”
“Save that talk for our private chamber,” he cautioned. “Come, let’s get you into something more comfortable, and then we will go watch Rhiannon take her place at the helm of Summer.”
Half an hour later, thanks to Druise and Grieve, I was in yet another dress, this one easy and comfortable to move in. It swept the floor, yes, but it was deep indigo blue and sparkled with beaded crystals. It had long sleeves and a deep V-neck, and it snugged in at the waist with a silver belt, then flowed easily down around my feet. I kept the silver boots—they were cute, and when would I have a chance to wear something that impractical again? And of course, I didn’t touch the makeup or crown. I gave Druise leave to head out for the Marburry Barrow ahead of time.
Grieve was dressed in black trousers and a shirt matching the color of my dress. It set off the platinum of his hair, and I leaned into his arms as he pulled me to him.
“Are you happy, my love?” His voice shook, just a little, and I realized he was terribly afraid I’d regret my choice.
I wasn’t sure how to answer. “The learning curve scares the hell out of me. And so does Myst. I’m dreading the next few months—except for our wedding. But…I’ll get used to it, and I’ll learn to love it. I just…so many changes in such a short time. It’s overwhelming.”
“Then be overwhelmed in my arms, my love.” And he kissed me, long and deep, and I noticed his scent had shifted. The bonfires and apples had vanished, and now he smelled like frost and crisp, northern nights. Like spruce and pine, and bayberry and cinnamon.
I snuggled into his embrace, not wanting to go anywhere, see anyone. But Rhiannon was waiting and I would be there, supporting her all the way.
Check and Fearless were waiting for us, and they bundled us into a sledge pulled by a team of white horses with silver bridles. We went sailing across the snow toward the portal. Once there, another ten guards were waiting to escort us through. On the other side, we began to run, although they held themselves back to keep pace with me, and we danced over the snow, feet barely touching the drifts. I reveled in the feel, though I had a sudden urge to turn into my owl-self and fly there, but I knew that would throw the guards into a tailspin and so decided to restrain myself.
Now that I could change form even in my clothing, I envisioned a lot more trips up yonder. Especially on days when the Court got to me, and I had the feeling there would be plenty of those.
Ulean, are you with us?
Yes, I am with you. It was a beautiful coronation. Congratulations, Cicely. I’m glad that you made it through.
You were with Lainule when she took the throne, weren’t you?
Yes, I was. And I will be with you as long as you need me. When you have a daughter, if she takes the throne, I will eventually guide and help her.
A daughter. Children. The concept had entered my mind, especially when Grieve and I were together, but now it hit me that I would be expected to have an heir to the throne. And if I didn’t give birth to a daughter, perhaps Grieve would have to do what my father had done. That thought hit me in the gut. I pushed it away, not wanting to think about it right now.
I’d better think about that some other time.
As you wish. Be cautious in these woods—there are dangers about, Cicely. You would do well to tell your guards.
