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My heart pounds and for a moment, I wish I could run back to that room and shut the door. I try to steady my breathing, stilling my hands by clutching the fabric of my dress. Though they’re all on the other side of the wall, my skin tingles as if their eyes are all on me.
The door creaks open, the hinges whining as the sound of Finn announcing my entrance filters through the crevice.
“All raise for Alice Whittaker, slayer of kings, and Queen of Solaria.” Chairs scratch against the stone floor, as if those waiting for me have pushed from their seats, and I drag in a deep breath, flipping off the emotions etched on my face like a switch, and enter.
Who knew killing an immortal king would be less nerve wrecking than this, only I’m not nervous because of the men preaching that my ovaries make me incapable of leading a kingdom. I’m nervous because I want to make Kai proud. I wanthimto believe I can do it.
Guards yank the doors wide open as I near, and the moment I enter, the creatures and men in the room bow, along with Eva and a small group of white-haired women. Those must be her sisters. My eyes scan the room, looking for familiar faces, but beyond Eva, Finn, and Kai, there’s not a single being I recognize.
Kai’s soft amber eyes lock on mine, and he offers a sweet smile, meeting me in the middle of the room. He pulls his sword out, placing it parallel to the ground as he kneels before me.
“Your Grace,” he says, and something about the suggestion in his tone has my stomach swirling with butterflies, swallowing up the nerves.
What’s the procedure? What do I do from here? None of the fantasy romance books I’ve read over the years have prepared me for this. Fuck it. I own one of the highest seats in the land, and the only other contender is bowing to me. I can wing it, and technically it won’t be wrong.
I lift his chin with a finger, plastering on a sultry grin. “My King.”
He grins like a man bewitched, lifting from the ground to kiss my forehead. “You look stunning, as always. Come. Let me introduce you to our northern court.”
“Northern?” I ask, letting the balconies that span the room floors above us draw my eyes away. The room is a giant circle, housing a large table made from some sort of ancient tree trunk in the middle. Seats surround the edges, filled with the faces of various creatures. Some men, some otherwise, but all carry a sort of royal air to them.
“Yes. Should you choose to publicly accept my proposal, they’ll become our northern court. This realm is by far the biggest out of the seven and has their own share of special issues. Therefore, they should have their own court. Don’t you agree?”
“I think that sounds perfect.” I knew he’d try to make things as fair as possible. It’s what will make him one of the best kings in existence. He’ll always level the playing field, and do what’s best for his people. It’s both the reason I love him, and what irks me.
One by one, he asks each of the fourteen council members to stand and introduce themselves, as well as state why they’re qualified to be here, and by the time we’re done, I can’t help but give the man a slow clap. He found some of the most level headed, and open-minded people in this realm and gathered them, and by doing so, almost earned their respect.
It’s a reflection of power, of intellence, and looming authority on his part, but having him by my side through it all… It’s a show of his love for me, as well. Why would a king from another realm waste his time helping me fix mine if he didn’t truly care?
His hand reaches for mine beneath the table, giving it a squeeze as he intertwines our fingers.
“Though this realm is in disarray, I believe we can unite under one front. We’re going to need it if Michael will be here within a week’s time. Before Alice, your queen, took the crown, she was engaged to me and we’ve reiterated that vow in private. Should she agree to marry me, the seven realms will once again be reunited.”
“And what of the boundary?” One of the men asks.
“It’ll be no more, but this court will be responsible for keeping the creatures within this realm at bay. There are beings of less intellect that roam free, and obviously, you’ve managed to contain them and keep them out of your golden city. We’ll need to incorporate those measures throughout Hell as well.”
“If the archangel is coming, you’ll need to marry soon,” another man suggests, tapping his pen against his lips.
“Yes. As a matter of fact, my kingdom is already preparing to host the wedding as we speak,” Kai says, nodding his head.
He’s such a natural at this… The reasoning to delegate and politic has been bred into him, but for me, I want no part of this side. Much like Asmo, I’m happy to live in peace, to sit back and let Kai lead. The room fades around me as I watch him in awe. His finesse and ease, even when every set of eyes in this room is aimed at him–atus.
“Tomorrow,” he says, stealing a glance at me. “The wedding will be tomorrow.”
What?!I sit back, the smile that once blessed my lips gone.Tomorrow? He can’t be serious. How the hell are my aunt and uncle supposed to be brought to the realm by tomorrow? Better yet, how are the people in Hell Hold supposed to host a royal wedding with a single day’s notice?
“And what does our queen think?” someone asks, and as I search for the person the voice belongs to, I find a man with blue skin and long pointy ears waiting eagerly for an answer.
“She accepts.” I manage to push out the words even as my mind reels with wonder, and the impossibility a wedding tomorrow brings.
“Very well… With the queen’s permission, I’ve delegated the war preparations to our fifteenth member of this court, my brother, Asmodeus Morningstar, and my first hand.” He gestures to Finn. “They’ll begin while we’re handling other business in Hell Hold. Court will convene again upon our arrival.”
My hand squeezes his, remembering the note Asmo gave me. As people begin to clear out, I meet Kai’s worrisome eyes. They haven’t left me even as I’ve zoned out on the table. “Asmo would prefer to not be on the court.”
“He’s already accepted.”
“Well unaccept him. He doesn’t wish to be a part of this.”
