Page 43 of Their Crowned Mate
"Huh. That sounds pretty dramatic," I said flatly.
Joram laughed. "Maybe so. But it's the truth, and the press here has much of a flare for the dramatic as they do where you're from."
"I guess so," I said, taking another sip of my juice. As happy as I was, I couldn't help but feel a tinge of melancholy.
Joram watched me closely as if he could sense what I was feeling. And no matter how much time had separated us, he was my father, so he probably could in some way. "What's the matter?" he asked gently.
I shook my head, not even fully sure myself. "Sometimes I just... wish she was here," I admitted, keeping my voice barely above a whisper. "So much has changed, and there are so many good things happening. I'm grateful for everything, for this baby, for the guys, for finding you... It's not that, I just..."
"You wish she was here to share it with?" he offered.
I nodded.
Joram reached out, patting my hand. "That's perfectly normal, Lavinia. You were close. It's only natural to wish your mother was here for this kind of thing. Especially now."
"Yeah," I murmured. "I just wish I'd had more time with her."
"You and me both," he said with a wistful sigh. "But I know she's watching over you. I felt her, when I was on the battlefield and came close to... well, you know."
I was grateful he didn't outright say it, considering it had still come too close to comfort and I definitely wasn't ready to lose him. Not after how long and how hard I'd fought to find him again. Even if I hadn't realized that I needed his presence in my life.
"I know she is," I said, smiling as I put a hand on my stomach. "And I know she's going to be watching over this little one, too. I've talked it over with the guys, and we're going to be naming our daughter Rose. After Mom."
"Rose," Joram echoed, tears coming into his eyes once more. "I think that's perfect. She'd be honored."
"I hope so," I say.
"I know so," he countered. "And she's so incredibly proud of everything you've accomplished. I felt that, too."
I smiled, my own eyes beginning to mist. I was so thankful for the time we'd been able to share together, and the stories he'd told me about my mother when she was younger. What she was like long before I had known her. They felt like treasures that I could take with me and keep close to my heart. And while it had taken a lot of courage to take on this journey, I knew she was always there with me, every step of the way.
"Thank you," I said softly. "For everything."
Joram nodded, swiping away a tear from his cheek as he took another sip of his drink. "You're more than welcome," he replied gruffly, clearing his throat before continuing in a more even tone. "Now then, if you're up for it, let's get back to prepping for the coronation. It's only a week away."
"Don't remind me," I groaned, taking his hand as he helped me up from the table. I wasn't thrilled about the fact that I was going to look like I'd barely managed to stuff myself into my coronation gown, but other than that, I was actually starting to feel like I could do this. And hey, if I had to fake it until I made it, so be it. I'd certainly done that before.
CHAPTER21
LAVINIA
The day of my coronation had finally arrived, and between the morning sickness and the fluttering of anxiety in my stomach, I was a royal mess. But there was no turning back now.
I was ushered backstage, attended by various servants. They helped me into my gown and carefully arranged my hair and makeup like a work of art. I was thankful for the distraction it provided since I had no time to think about all the changes that were about to come.
My dress was an exquisite masterpiece of silk and lace, with intricate beading adorning the bodice and a long train trailing behind me as I moved. The fabric felt like liquid against my skin, light and airy despite its heavy appearance. Despite my fears about the gown fitting, I actually felt elegant and regal in the smooth, flowing fabric. The bodice was fitted to accentuate my breasts, which had grown a few sizes. That was definitely a perk of pregnancy I was loving. It almost made up for the swollen feet and round-the-clock morning sickness.
Almost.
The servants didn't seem to know what to make of my blue tresses at first, but they styled them into elegantly flowing curls that cascaded down my shoulders and tumbled down my back. I wasn't wearing a circlet like I usually would have worn to a royal event to leave room for the crown Joram would place on my head later that day. It would officially mark the occasion of me stepping into my role as queen of the fae.
I still couldn't believe that was happening.
As they finished up their preparations, one of the servants presented me with a bouquet of colorful wildflowers, a gift from Joram in honor of my late mother's memory. I smiled sadly as I accepted them, grateful for his thoughtfulness even when he wasn't there with me physically. He and the others would be with me when it was time, but backstage was another matter. I found myself wishing I had Sam here, but while Alexander had arranged for her to travel through one of the portals, time was always a bit hard to get right with these kinds of things, and she had been visiting a friend who'd been injured in a bar fight, so the last I'd heard, she wasn't sure if she was going to be able to make it for the ceremony itself.
When the dressing room door opened, I thought it was one of the other servants and didn't bother to turn around since I was still going over my lines, even though I had already long since memorized them to a T. I just had to hope my anxiety wasn't going to lead to me forgetting everything and becoming tongue tied.
I gasped when a pair of hands covered my eyes and the familiar scent of Sam's perfume wafted over me. "Guess who?" she asked with a laugh.
