Page 39 of Winter Goddess
I refused to walk along the aisle, so instead, I’ve entered the hall from a door close to the dais. My dress is making it hard to walk and I clutch its skirts, desperately praying that I won’t trip. That wouldn’t be a good start to my reign, although it would be a fitting one. This is going to be one big stumble after the next.
I take my place in front of the throne – don’t sit down, Wyn, don’t sit down – and wait for Thor and Lucifer to join me. It took us a while to decide on who should be crowning me, but eventually, we decided on those two. They’re both very powerful Gods and good friends of my mother. Hopefully, they’re going to be there for me in the future when I need advice and moral support. I suppress a laugh. Having Lucifer for moral support, sure. Not quite what people on Earth would think of him. He’s really quite sweet though, especially the fact that he takes human wives and stays true to them until they die, never leaving their side even when they become old.
Loki is here as well, but he’s not as strong as his brother, so he’s watching from the audience.
Both Gods bow in front of me, then take their place by my side. I wanted my Guardians up here with me as well, but Tamara voted against that. If they were my husbands, then that might have been possible, but as they’re not, I need to send out the message that it’s me who’s ruling and that I’m not being influenced by anyone. I’m the Queen, and while I’m allowed to have romantic partners, it’s expected that they don’t get involved in politics. I hope they ignore the fact that Storm is part of the Council.
Even Dewi has come, along with several other dragon shifters. Nobody knows yet that she’s the Goddess of Autumn, so she’s not in the first row along with the other important Gods. We’re keeping it a secret for now, not wanting to show our hand to Angus. There’s no doubt he has spies here at court.
Gwain appears at the other end of the Great Hall, carrying a crown on a dark blue cushion. He’s dressed in his most formal uniform, dozens of medals blazing on his chest. He looks formidable despite his age. Behind him are the other Council members and a few representatives of the military. Most of them look familiar, but I likely wouldn’t be able to name them all. They’re just there to look pretty, according to Tamara, who’d licked her lips when she said that. She seems partial to a man in uniform, and who could blame her. I look down at my Guardians, all dressed in the uniforms of the Royal Guard. If I could, I’d teleport us all into my chambers and rip off their clothes.
Sadly, I don't think that would go down well with all the assembled dignitaries. Or with Tamara, who's looking at me as if she knows exactly what I'm thinking. She's sitting beside Frost, wearing a dress that looks entirely too modern for someone her age. Well, who am I to judge.
Gwain is slowly making his way towards me. He's far too slow, I don't think I can stand the tension for much longer. There's an orchestra playing in the background, but I can't focus on the music. It could be hard rock or Beethoven, for all I care. My eyes are fixed on the crown. It's a beautiful, intricate design that isn't as heavy as that of my mother, nor as big. It's a bit of a mix between my current Princess crown that's not much more than a diadem, and the current crown of the Winter Queen that resembles rows of upturned icicles. Whoever made it deserves my thanks. It looks like I can actually wear it for several hours at a time, as I will have to do.
"You'll be fine," Thor whispers under his breath. "After the ceremony, you can party and let your hair down."
I don't tell him that I have no intention to do so, because Gwain has finally reached the dais. He stops in front of us and bows, the crown wobbling precariously on its cushion.
"Your Highness," he says quietly, before turning around to the assembled crowd. As one, they all get up. Great, that increases the pressure even more.
He clears his throat before lifting his voice so everyone can hear him. I'm sure there's magic involved to make sure that even those at the very back of the hall know what's going on.
"We have assembled to witness the coronation of Wynter, Daughter of Beira. She has proven that she is worthy of leading our Realm in good times and bad." He turns around again until he's looking at me.
"Is your Majesty willing to take the oath?"
"I am," I reply loud and clear.
Bright, golden magic flares into life, a fiery circle surrounding Gwain, myself and the two Gods flanking me. This magic will assess the truthfulness of my words. I swallow hard. Already, I'm being judged, and I've not even been crowned yet.
"Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the people of this Realm according to our laws and customs?"
"I solemnly promise to do so," I say, just like I've practised over and over again.
"Will you to your power cause law and justice, in mercy, to be executed in all your judgements?"
I almost cringe at the overly formal language. This is taken directly from the British coronation oath. I think they wanted it to feel familiar, but it’s not helping.
"I will."
"Will you preserve the magic that sustains this Realm and our people, and strive to use it for only good?"
"I will."
The magic around us lights up even brighter, before exploding into a thousand tiny stars. They fly up to the ceiling and stay there like a night sky looking down on us. It's beautiful and magical and entirely choreographed by Tamara. I bet she's looking very satisfied with herself just now.
"Then I shall pass this crown on to my superiors so that you may be crowned." Gwain hands the cushion to Lucifer and then retreats, walking backwards for a few steps before bowing and turning.
Finally, I sit down on my throne. The seating area is short, forcing me to sit upright. I can't imagine this being very comfortable for long. No wonder my mother is always cold and impatient when she's sitting on here.
The two Gods take their places behind me. The big moment has come. I'm going to be Queen. I suppress the urge to run and fly far, far away. There's no turning back now. This Realm needs me.
I can feel Thor move closer and I know he's about to hold the crown above my head.
"May this crown be the symbol of our trust in you, our Queen," he says in his booming voice. "May your rule be long and prosper."
Slowly, he lowers the crown until it touches my head. I shiver at the gravity of this moment. When he takes away his hands and the crown sits on my head, pressing against my skin, I take a deep breath. I am Queen.
