Page 58 of An Archer's Redemption

“I, Jessia of House Vester, do pledge to lead, serve, and defend the Crown and its people from all threats within and without, without fear or favor, affection or ill will. I pledge to do right to all manner of people after the laws and usages of the Kingdom. To the people and the Spires, be it long or short, my whole life is yours. By the Spirits and the Spires, this is my pledge.”

Minister Parto bowed low and stepped back into her spot behind the throne.

The High Priest stepped forward, raised the crown, and bowed once more.

“The crown of the Spires! Come all and look upon its majestic favor. Spirits, we beg your blessings on this crown and the brow beneath it. Sanctify this symbol and our servant, Jessia, upon whose head we place this sacred relic, that she may be filled with royal majesty, abundant grace, and princely virtue.”

He moved to stand facing me, bowed once more, then carefully placed the crown on my head. As soon as his hands lifted, brilliant Light swelled from both the crown and the ring I now wore as sovereign. The High Priest shuffled to the lowest stepand fell to one knee as the magic swirled around me, bathing me in an otherworldly glow. The crowd’s collective intake of breath echoed through the chamber just before the magic flared one final time and exploded outward in a sea of sparkling shards above the heads of the awestruck nobility.

The High Priest dared not rise, but bellowed, “HAIL, QUEEN JESSIA.”

The crowd rushed to mirror the priest’s pose, falling to their knees with heads bowed, and echoed again and again, “HAIL, QUEEN JESSIA!”

For the first time since entering the Temple, I allowed my eyes to roam about the chamber.

Kendall beamed up at me, calling out in his squeaky, preteen voice.

I gazed across the visiting dignitaries and nobles, and my heart both raced and swelled with pride. My father had raised me for this moment, for the day I would succeed him. I always knew he would miss my coronation, as it was rare to succeed a living ruler, but I still smarted at his absence in my moment of glory. The vacant seats beside Kendall underscored other absences I felt.

I found Keelan again, kneeling along with the others. Even on his knees, he towered over those around him, and I caught him stealing a glance. He winked before returning his head to the correct position.

Hewinkedat me! Right after I received the crown!

I tried to ignore the beginning of a mental debate over whether to be amused or annoyed with the Guardsman. What remained of my Privy Council was to my right behind the Royal Pew. A sea of nobles spread beyond. All were bowed low, only plumed bonnets and backs visible from my vantage on the dais.

Then my eye was drawn to a singular figure in the back of the Temple nave. Brown robes glinted in the light just enough to make me notice.

Why isn’t that man kneeling like everyone else? And those robes . . .

There was something familiar about the man. I knew but couldn’t place it.

His posture? The set of his jaw? His shoulder-length hair?

Something wassofamiliar.

And then Iknew—and my breath caught.

Chapter 23

Jess

Iblinked a few times and peered at the end of the Temple as the assembled mass rose. The back wall now stood empty, though I was sure a man had been there only a moment earlier.

I allowed myself to breathe again.

It wasn’t him. You’re just overwhelmed. Relax.

An hour later, my gilded carriage pulled up to the front entrance of the Palace. Dozens of guards lined the circular drive. On either side of the grand entrance, rows of neatly dressed servants stood to greet their new sovereign. They all knew me. Many had helped raise me.

But today I emerged a new woman, the Queen.

They beamed with pride and dared to look me in the eye as I passed. Some wept openly. When I came to the first row, I stunned them all by greeting each person by name and thanking them for their service to the Crown. This act took another thirty minutes but endeared me to my staff in ways I didn’timmediately realize. I couldn’t explain why I had done it; it justfeltright in the moment.

I made my way into the Throne Room.

Miraculously, the staff had moved my throne from the Temple to its usual resting place while I returned by carriage. Before I sat, I turned to a young page and asked for a cushion. When he gaped but didn’t move, I smirked and whispered conspiratorially, “If I have to sit here and listen to lords drone on for the next two hours on this hard chair, my bum will fall asleep. Your Queenneedsyour help. Get me that cushion.”

The page, now more shocked by my familiarity than my request, couldn’t contain his smile and bowed. “At once, Majesty.”

---