Page 143 of Fawn

Servants are called, and a great, gilded mirror is wheeled into the room.

A small gasp escapes my lips as I see myself for the first time. My dress is made of pale gold silk and shimmers in the sunlight. It has a full silk skirt with gemstones sewn into the fabric, a modest neckline, and long bell sleeves. My long hair has been woven into intricate plaits that cascade down my back.

I twist this way and that, the sting of happy tears at the back of my eyes.

“It does not look like me,” I say.

Persa leans in to kiss my cheek. “It looks exactly like you.”

“Because it is you,” Estelle says, kissing my other cheek.

“You look like a queen,” Luna beams.

“Your late Mama and Papa would be so proud,” Petunia says, taking my hands in hers.

A knock sounds on the door.

A guard enters and bows. “Your escorts are here, my lady.”

My heart skips a beat. By escorts, he means my mates. Well, all except Seven, who will await me in the grand hall.

“Oh, I am not ready! I cannot do this.”

“You are, my dear,” Estelle says. “And you can. Nobody is more worthy of becoming our queen nor more worthy of the love my brother feels for you—that all your mates feel for you. You have made a home for yourself here. You carry our future heir. You are the mate of Seven, the seventh coming of Cernunnos. He knew instantly the Goddess herself had destined you to become his queen. You are mate to Jude, your Wolf, a proud shifter of the Blackrock Pack. And to Nox, and Eiden, and dear Gideon. They are all your mates, and you shall be their queen. Now, they are waiting, likely fretting that something is amiss. Are you ready, Fawn? Are you ready to take your place at their sides?”

She is right. They will be worried by the delay, so I take a deep breath and nod.

“She is ready,” Estelle says, a firm voice that carries. “Send them in!”

The guard throws open the doors, and my mates all but fall into the room.

Wolf is first. I barely recognize him in the royal-blue silk suit, the long jacket embroidered in a delicate silver thread, and his hair and beard neatly trimmed. A broad grin splits his face as he strides over to me.

“Stunning.” He takes my hand, bowing as he brings it to his lips.

Next comes Nox in a black suit with gold thread. He looks devastatingly handsome as he puts a firm hand on Eiden’s shoulder. “Wait your turn, whelp,” he mutters with a grin. He strides forward to take my hand, bowing formerly as he likewise kisses the back of it.

Eiden is hot on his heels, his suit in a deep forest green with white embroidery. He bows deeply. His eyes shine with approval and love. “You are surely the most beautiful queen ever,” he says, kissing my hand.

“You can let her go now,” Nox says dryly.

Eiden cuts him a glare as he releases my hand.

And then Gideon is there.MyGideon. My fifth and final mate in a crimson suit with pale gold threadwork.

His cheeks are flushed as he takes my hand and kisses it reverently. “I love you, Fawn. My queen.”

“I am not quite a queen yet.”

“And you never will be unless we get this moving along,” Estelle says, clapping her hands together.

Seven

I am not a male who often suffers from jitters. Events and occasions steeped in pomp and ceremony are second nature to me.

But I have never been crowned with a queen.

Never before found my one.

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