Page 90 of Faeling
Even as he nodded and thanked his people, Vallek caught how her face flicked between her own and her disguise. It was a reflex, her nerves telling her to hide away. She tucked her wings as tightly as she could to her back even unfolded, hoping her long hair hid them.
“You must show them your true face now, sprite.”
That’s what terrified her.
Fingers dug into his tunic, Ravenna sat stiffly in his arms as they walked along the column. More than a few cheers died when the orcs realized Vallek carried her, their shock evident. Those in the back of the column had likely only heard rumors about what happened yesterday, too far away to have seen for themselves.
She had to wonder what was said, how outlandish the story had become.
Her nerves strung tighter and tighter the further they went. Every eye followed her, boring into her skin to ascertain just who it was the king had jumped off a cliff for. By the time they reached the head of the column, she was no longer stiff but squirming, trying but failing to contain her unease.
Vallek strode confidently on, determined to make a clear statement. Turning to face his berserkers and staff, their curiosity and eagerness potent, he took a running start to bound up a tall boulder, gaining height. Ravenna bit down on her squeak of alarm, holding on tight as he came to the top of the rock. From their height, his voice boomed across the landscape.
“My good people, you have the good fortune of being the first to meet my mate.”
Shocked murmurs met his declaration, and he let thempermeate before continuing.
“She is Lady Ravenna of the north. You have known her as thekone,and she has counseled me wisely these years. You behold her now as she truly is—half-fae and my mate.”
More murmurs, and the full weight of the column’s attention turned upon her.
She wanted to shrink. To wither away and hide.
But she couldn’t now.
Her world was different.Shewas different. Today, she had to start standing beside herazai.
That was the deal.
Although she still kept her wings down, she threw back her shoulders, sitting as regally as she could in his arms. Meeting each stare she came across, she stared down the column of orcs, willing them to at least listen.
“My beast knew her the moment I saw her true face. She has claimed my heart and soul, as is any mate’s right. Any who would dispute this may join Commander Ulrich.”
No murmurs to that, but quite a few of the orcs looked amongst themselves, worry marring their faces.
“I will fight and kill for my mate. Just as any of you would do. She now shares my bed and my life—and upon our return, she will share my throne, too.”
Ravenna worked to keep her face rigid, holding onto a confident placidity despite wanting to wince. She couldn’t tell how the crowd would go, their silence growing ominous.
“I am your king—but this means nothing without your support. Do I have it?” His question was met with that dreadful silence, and she couldn’t help the way her heart sank to her toes.
“Do I have it?” he cried.
At first, nothing. But then, something incredible happened.
One by one, one after the other, row by row, the orcs knelt. A wave rippled back through the column, heads bowing as they bent to one knee. Arms crossed over chests to hold right fists over hearts, showing their allegiance.
“King Vallek!” they shouted. “Hail Vallek Far-Sight!”
Vallek bared his teeth in a ferocious smile, and with only a wink as warning, he lifted her high above his head.
“Your queen!” he proclaimed. “Queen Ravenna!”
A cheer broke across the column, the orcs jumping up to stamp their feet and beat their fists on their chests. It deafened her, a resounding din that shook the very ground.
“Queen Ravenna!” they cried, clapping and hooting.
They shouted congratulations, they shouted their names.
