Page 191 of Crown of Briars
Still, her soldiers did not move. Many of them cast uncertain glances at Azure. Others outright glared at Orla, their faces full of distrust.
“I suggest you redirect your efforts to leading your own people,” Varius said loudly, “before you decide to take over mine. It doesn’t seem like your people are willing to follow youinto battle, which, in my experience, is not the mark of a good ruler.”
Orla glared at him. “That isn’t your concern, Wraith King.”
“It is when you invademy homeand killmy people.” Varius stepped closer to her, his arms rigid at his sides. He pointed to her soldiers. “Your men are refusing your command. So we will offer you one last opportunity to leave the Shadow Court. If you don’t, I will take advantage of the instability of your army and slaughter anyone who remains here. I’ll wager many of your soldiers would rather flee than face a dragon, wouldn’t you?”
Orla’s lips thinned, and she glanced at the soldiers. Already, several of them had started sprinting for the forest. “Shit,” she hissed.
“Orla,” I said, and she swung her head toward me, eyes flashing with fury. “The shadows are gone. You can see it for yourself. There is no reason to wage war.”
“I’ll be the judge of that,” she spat, backing away from Varius and Azure. She reached her large white horse and grabbed the reins. “This isnotover. Don’t think that just because we share blood that I will forgive what you’ve done, Sybelle. You are still one ofthem.” She jerked her sword toward the fae soldiers. “And it’s because of you that he’s dead.” Her voice broke on the last word.
Emotion filled my throat. I had no answer for that, because she was right. Gerard had wanted the curse to live on, but he had also come forme. He had made that much clear.
All I could say was, “I’m sorry.”
This only made Orla angrier. Her face twisted into something savage and unrecognizable. This was not my sister. This was a stranger.
She mounted her horse, then jerked on the reins before taking off toward the forest. Slowly, her soldiers followed after. Varius and I stood next to each other, watching as each humanretreated. Only after their footsteps faded did we turn to look at each other.
“I could not have done this without you, Sybelle,” he murmured.
“This isn’t over,” I said softly. “She will come back.”
Varius nodded before wrapping his arms around me and cradling my head against his chest. “I know,dannahla. But we will be ready for her when she does.”
Enzira fussedover my lacy sleeves, then ensured my curls were pinned in place. When she stepped back to look me over, her eyes were moist with tears.
“How do I look?” I asked, my voice trembling from my nerves.
Enzira’s lower lip wobbled, and she clapped a hand over her mouth, barely stifling a sob.
“She means you look like a queen,” Ramia said, bringing her hand to my cheek. Her eyes were moist, too, but she managed to keep the tears from flowing. “I’m so proud of you, lady.”
I offered her a breathless smile. “Thank you. Both of you. Foreverything.” I repeated the words in Agnarrish, then took both of their hands in mine.
I would not be here were it not for them. I owed them everything.
They both beamed at me, and I took a moment to gaze lovingly at my dearest friends. Enzira was in her seelie form, standing a bit shorter than me, with dark brown skin and a multitude of thick black braids. With her wide grin, I almost found myself missing the familiar sight of her fangs.
But she was still utterly beautiful to me, no matter what form she took.
From outside our tent, a loud horn blew, and I tensed, my body quivering.
“It’s time,” Enzira said, pressing her fist to her chest. “We will be right outside… my queen.”
Ramia curtsied, then followed Enzira out of the tent, leaving me completely alone. I stared at myself in the mirror. This was so very different from the marriage ceremony. For one thing, the ceremonial garb covered far more of my body than I was accustomed to. White lace reached up to my neck, the sleeves falling to my wrists. White roses were sewn into the skirt, and diamonds trimmed the hemline, making the fabric sparkle with each movement.
Despite the strength the diamonds gave me, I was still a puddle of anxiety.
This was the first time I would be facing my people. My kingdom.
Everyone.
The marriage ceremony had been a private affair. I knew now that it was because of the curse. The ritual only needed to be completed; it did not need to be publicly announced in any way.
Varius wanted to rectify that. So, with this coronation ceremony, he created a celebratory event for everyone, regardless of their station, to attend. He wanted to announce me not only as their new queen but as the one who had broken the curse and saved his people.
