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“Haven’t you heard of locking the door?” Desmond snarked back. Clearly, her wizard had woken up a bit more since this morning.
“Here,” Everett crossed in front of Desmond and broke up the argument. “We brought you breakfast.”
“Would you like some?” Malcolm asked Greta politely, holding out a bowl of fruit.
“No, I’ve eaten. Give it to the young princess here. She’ll need it.”
Malcolm placed the bowl of fruit next to the small bread and cheese platter that Everett had placed down in front of Claire.
“Thank you,” Claire murmured, giving them both a smile and then making eye contact with Desmond. He had a grumpy look on his face from Greta but he gave her a wink.
Claire started eating as Greta brushed through her hair. She half-expected the Elder’s hands to be rough but they were surprisingly gentle as she worked through the tangles. Her hands were warm and Claire realized that Greta was drying her hair as she brushed it.
Although the food tasted wonderful and she was definitely hungry, Claire struggled to eat. The nerves were starting to set back in.
“It’s going to be fine,” Everett said, ever in tune with her.
“What he said,” Desmond said, pushing off the door frame and dropping into a crouch in front of Claire. He kept his blue eyes on her, ignoring Greta. “The ceremony is going to be a piece of cake for you after everything we’ve been through in the last few months.”
“What if it doesn’t work? What if I can’t connect?” she whispered, biting the inside of her cheek.
Malcolm leaned against the wall. “You’ll connect. You are a Royal It’s in your blood to lead.”
Now, Claire had nervous butterflies for a whole different reason as she remembered that not only would this ceremony ground her powers but at some point she would be expected to lead the Elves. And wasn’t her father royalty as well? Would there be two kingdoms that would look to her for leadership? Even with how powerful everyone was telling her she would be, there was no way she could possibly be powerful enough to keep two territories in line.
Greta must have sensed her thoughts spiraling as she tugged on her hair sharply causing Claire to let out a soft squeak.
“None of that,” Greta scolded sharply. “Remember what I told you. This Realm has had enough powerful leaders. Your kindness will be the greatest gift you could give the Elves and this Realm.”
Desmond’s eyes widened in recognition and Claire realized he had told her something very similar right after she regained her sight. She smiled at the look of begrudging respect that came over his face.
“Greta’s right,” he said, ignoring Greta’s cackle. “It’s not always about being powerful. You see the world in such a different way, little honey buns.” He cupped her cheek with one hand. “I think the Realm needs more of that.”
“I hope you’re right,” Claire said. Because apparently that’s what they’re getting whether they liked it or not.
“Done,” Greta said, finishing up the braids in Claire’s hair. As they were talking, she had brushed it out with a different powder that had her hair feeling silky and smooth. Claire pulled the braid over her shoulder and examined the small white flowers woven into her hair.
“It’s beautiful,” she said, looking up at Greta thankfully. Although the Elder could be snarky, she had been a steady mentor over the last week. It was going to hurt when she had to leave her.
“Of course, young princess. Now, let’s get you dressed. The ceremony should start soon.”
Claire pushed away the half eaten plate and accepted Desmond’s help to her feet. She ducked behind the shower partition and shed the robe in a soft thump to the floor. She carefully pulled on the gauzy green dress that Greta had hung on the partition. The fabric felt like air against her skin, softly brushing against it as she settled it against her shoulders. Both the back and the front of the dress ended in a deep V. At the bottom of the V, three golden bands rested around Claire’s ribcage. The fabric billowed out from Claire’s shoulders in a sheer long sleeve that ended in matching gold bands around Claire’s wrists.
It was a dress fit for a Queen. And Claire felt like a fraud in it. She was barely a functioning human being most days, fighting for control over her ever-growing magic. And now she was supposed to be a Queen? Over a people she barely knew? How could she possibly do what was best for them? She ran her hands lightly over the soft material, smoothing it down. Regardless of whether she felt ready or not, she had to do this. She had to figure out all the puzzles her mother had left and get her magic under control. These people were counting on her.
The bottom of the dress swished against the floor as Claire came around the partition. Everett saw her first and his darkened eyes told Claire all she needed to know. Malcolm’s golden eyes were just as expressive as his dragon burned brightly behind them.
“You look beautiful,” Desmond said. Her wizard never truly seemed to be at a loss for words.
“You’ll do, young princess,” Greta said approvingly. “Now come. We can’t be late.”
Claire took a deep breath and accepted Malcolm’s offered arm. Everything was going to be fine. She could do this.
11
The ceremony took place at the bottom of the Royal Tree.
Claire and her Triad with Greta and Puck descended the final staircase and rounded the massive trunk to a crowd of people. Claire’s steps faltered as she took the crowd in. The Elves had gathered in this small clearing between the Royal Tree and the other trees in the Capital. There had to be at least two hundred Elves standing in between or sitting on the protruding roots of the trees, using them like arena seats.
