Page 59 of Mistress of Hours

“She’s not quite gone, but,” Evienne said through her sobs. “I can’t do anything, I don’t know what to do,” she said as she looked up into his face.

The great hall, still full of nobles, observed in shocked silence.

They all looked up at the sound of footsteps clicking on themarble floor, and an older woman who Orion realized must be Hestia stood before them.

“Well, Dove, you certainly handled things.”

Evienne started at the sound of Hestia’s voice addressing her.

“Hestia, I,” she began, her voice a broken rasp.

“It’s alright, Dove, we’re here to support you. I know it feels like a mess, but you’re showing us why we chose you,” Hestia said, leaning down to give Evienne’s shoulder an encouraging squeeze.

“We’ll have time for introductions later, but these are some of your new colleagues,” Hestia continued, her voice lowered.

Orion watched Evienne look up to see the several rather regular-looking people gathered around her mentor. She seemed too overwhelmed to really take in their faces, her eyes glazed over. Hestia began speaking again, pulling his attention back to her.

“You’ll need to stand up with us and join hands if you want to save her,” Hestia continued, beckoning Evienne to stand. Orion took her arm and helped her up, wrapping his arm around her waist in support.

“We’ll hold her in stasis while her healing gifts do their work. She will be alright. Come here, Dove.”

Orion helped Evienne into position between her mentor and a kind-looking man who bowed his head slightly to her in greeting. Hestia closed her eyes in focus and Orion felt the rush of power filling the room.

Léhiona lay perfectly still, her body now covered in a gentle glow; the white light made her look otherworldly. Orion stood behind Evienne, steadying her as she worked with the other Contrapensae for long moments.

After what felt like hours, Hestia took a deep breath, and the hum of power ceased. Léhiona still lay unconscious, but the ghostly pallor of blood loss had left her features. She breathedeasily. The palace healers rushed forward then, lifting her gently onto a cot and carrying her to her rooms. Cecelia hurried after them. Evienne leaned fully on Orion in exhaustion.

Once they were gone, Hestia’s voice again cleaved the tense silence to address Evienne. He honestly couldn’t believe she was still conscious, but she seemed determined to stay awake. Orion wanted nothing more than to take her out of this room and take care of her.

“Here’s your second official lesson as a Contrapensa, Dove: when dealing with transfers of power, time is of the essence.”

“I think I understand, Hestia. You mean we need a new ruler. As soon as possible,” Evienne said, her voice a bit hoarse.

Hestia nodded. “Where is Prince Sylvain?”

“I just saw him leave with Léhiona,” Orion said, caressing Evienne’s waist where his hand supported her.

“Very well. You will rest, and then you will talk with Sylvain, Evienne. There will be a coronation in the morning. We will keep order for the rest of the night,” Hestia said.

Orion didn’t need to hear anything else—he scooped Evienne into his arms and made his way to her rooms.

Chapter Forty-Seven

As the firstlight of dawn kissed the land the following morning, all of the nobles and guests had reassembled in the great hall. Frost tipped every blade of grass outside, and the air was still, clinging to the early morning peace. Evienne stood on the dais, Orion still supporting her in her weakened state. Hestia and the other Contrapensae were gathered nearby. The gathered crowd was nearly silent, waiting for their new king.

Evienne had sought Sylvain out before the dawn, as soon as she was well enough to walk to Léhiona’s room on Orion’s arm. Despite his grief and shock, he had taken the news of his impending coronation gracefully. As Aldith’s only sibling, he had known all his life that this was a possibility. Knowing and experiencing were very different things, though, and Evienne admired Sylvain’s resolve in the face of such unexpected responsibility.

Léhiona was resting comfortably in her room, and Cecelia insisted on staying to keep watch over her. She would awake to a new world, and though Aldith had wronged her so greatly, Evienne knew the loss would ache. Her heart broke for the grief Léhiona would feel.

Evienne’s attention returned to the gathered crowd, and she saw Sylvain step through the massive doors at the end of the great hall. The sun was now high enough in the sky that it sent a kaleidoscope of colors glimmering across the room through the panes of the stained glass. It was the first dawn of the new millennium and a new dawn for Ichorna, as well.

Sylvain du Pont made his way down the long aisle. Eviennestood at the center of the group, holding Ichorna’s crown. She watched the crowd and saw all of her varied emotions reflected on the faces of those gathered. Grief, surprise, hope—the people of Ichorna felt it all.

Sylvain reached the dais and lowered to his knees before Evienne, head bowed. Evienne placed the crown upon her friend’s head.

“Ichorna, this man is your new king, his power vested by the Council of Contrapensae.”

At the mention of the Council, a wave of surprised exclamations rose from the crowd. Hestia nodded to Evienne, so she continued.

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