Page 12 of The Final Battle

Eleazar stepped forward, presenting his question. “Do you so swear to forsake all other ties in the service of your people, to hold no allegiance to other kingdoms or nations?“

“I willingly forsake all other ties and connections I once held in Norden to their king and queen. I cut ties to my own parents, who have forsaken the ways of our people and claim lineage to the kings of old who ruled before me. In this, I so swear.“

Mathew came forward to ask the last question. “Do you swear to honor the cohabitation with dragons, respecting all agreements made past, present, and future?“

“As long as the agreements are honorable and agreed upon with the dragons, I so swear. But know, that if there comes a time where it is detrimental for dragons and humans to coexist, I will do whatever it takes to end the agreement. I give my honor to human and dragon alike and will stand by my word defining it to my dying breath.“

“Your answers have pleased the fates, approach and be anointed,“ all four men called out together.

Lifting my skirts, I climbed up the stairs and knelt on the pillow they placed for me, then tipping my head back for each of the men to mark me with oil.

“May the fates grant you wisdom to rule justly and without prejudice,“ Sal said, running his thumb across my forehead.

“May the words of your people never fall on deaf ears,“ Mathew said, marking both my ears.

“May your eyes see clearly in times of doubt and confusion,“ Lawrence said, smoothing oil under my eyes.

“May you always speak truth and guidance to your people,“ Elazar said, rubbing oil over my lips.

Finished with that part of the proceedings, Gavin stepped forward with the crown resting on a pillow.

In the process of solidifying details for the coronation it was made known that I would have to pick one of my consorts to be chosen who would rule if something happened to me. Everyone agreed that it should be Gavin, since he had been raised as the crown prince. So, with that honor he was picked to participate in the coronation, declaring him my heir until I had a child.

Lawrence picked up the crown and held it high in the air. “In the eyes of the people of Sheca, the dragons who share our world, and the fates who have blessed our nation, I crown you the Dragon Queen, ruler of the Dragon Throne, and pair-bond to the black dragon Vasin!“

The roar of people clapping, whistling, and shouting their excitement was almost deafening in the throne room. Gavin held out a hand to help me to my feet, and kick away the pillow, before we turned to face the people. Gavin grinned as he took a moment to kiss my hand and give me a wink before thrusting our joined hands in the air. “Long live the Dragon Queen!“

“Long live the queen!“ the people bellowed in response.

The sounds of dragon roaring echoed outside the castle, and bursts of flame could be seen from the skylights as they rejoiced. My heart swelled with emotions as I watched the people before me cheering, their faces full of hope and excitement. To them, this moment had been a long time coming, a promised reward for them being left behind to guard this castle. Now, it was my turn to honor them, and ensure this place remained protected from those who wished to take it from us.

Chapter eight

Cassarah

Now that I officially wore the crown and was queen, the hard work began. I’d already dealt with the dragon riders, having them swear their loyalty with me, but I decided to pass on having the village people do the same thing. There would always be those that opposed my rule, and making them bend a knee in public like this wasn’t going to change what was in their heart.

Instead, I had King Thomas, Crown Prince Phillip, along with Queen Catharine join me in my office. While I had verbal agreements with each of these men, I wanted it in writing and sealed with blood. I was going to learn from the Raven Queen herself and ensure that neither of them could stab me in the back without consequence, and I had the power to do just that.

“This should be a time of celebration, not dealing with this sort of thing,“ King Thomas argued. “We can just as easily do this tomorrow.“

“No,“ I stated as I took a seat at my desk. “This will happen now or not at all. There is no telling when the Lost King will make his next move and I, for one, am not willing to take a chance. What if he attacks you first and for some reason, I decided it’s too risky to help you? We have no agreement other than our words that we ever had an alliance. Be smart, your Majesty, this benefits both of us.“

With a harumph, King Thomas took a seat across from me, next to Phillip. It took us a few rounds, but we all settled on agreements for our alliances, creating a bond between the three countries. Each of us is willing to come to the other’s aid in the form of military support, along with food or supplies, if the need should arise. Each of us added in a few other clauses that would cut out loopholes or prevent forced marriages of our children whenever I or Phillip had any. With the wording finalized, I took out a small knife and poked it into the pad of my thumb, then pressed it over top of my signature.

“Know that this agreement is binding by honor and magic. If any of us, or our children, fail to follow the alliance we’ve created then it will result in punishment or death to the offender,“ I explained as I handed the knife to Phillip.

Without hesitation, Phillip signed his name and placed his blood just as I had. King Thomas however, hesitated a moment as he looked between the both of us. “What happens if future generations wish to dissolve this alliance?“

“Then they create another contract and sign that one,“ I informed him. “Only when all parties agree and come together can this contract be altered or dissolved. It’s to ensure that no one party can break the agreement without the others knowing.“

King Thomas nodded, reading over the words once more before singing his name and adding his blood, sealing the document for all. A zing of power raced up my arm starting from the thumb I’d cut, letting me know that the magic I’d infused it with was active.

“Queen Catharine, I would like to be clear that if you in any way try to break or twist the alliance we’ve just formed, that you will suffer the punishment as well. Any interference from the families that formed the alliance will have repercussions, the same goes for any of my consorts or future wife that Phillip will have. This extends to the children in this generation or the next. The magic I’ve bound to this holds us to this alliance until it is dissolved, no matter how long that might take,“ I warned, as I held her gaze, ensuring she understood what I was saying.

Her only response was to nod her head serenely, as if there was no reason for me to have been worried. “I will bear that in mind, your majesty.“

While I didn’t trust the woman farther than I could throw her, I didn’t think she would be stupid enough to do anything right away. No, if she was going to make a play to get rid of me, it would be after the Lost King was gone and her country was no longer being threatened.