Page 125 of Silver & Smoke
‘I bond my life to this kingdom and its people,’ she recited, her heart pounding.
‘I shall serve as the protector of Delmira, and thus a protector of the midrealms,’ Audra said.
Wren kept her head bowed as she echoed the sacred words. ‘I shall serve as the protector of Delmira, and thus a protector of the midrealms.’
‘Elwren Embervale...’ Audra paused, letting the significance of her final question linger. ‘Do you solemnly vow to lead the people of Delmira, to govern with justice and mercy, and to use the full might of your magic in its defence?’
‘I do.’
The weight of the crown settled atop Wren’s head, the pointed motif resting against her brow.
Audra’s boots disappeared from view as she stepped back. ‘Then rise, Elwren, Queen of Delmira.’
Wren was shaking, shaking so hard that she was worried the crown would tumble from her head, but she rose from the rubble, from ashes long gone.
‘Long live the queen!’ Thea’s voice boomed from the front of the crowd.
‘Long live the queen!’ came the thunderous response.
Wren didn’t dare look to the crowd for fear of her legs giving out beneath her – but she need not have worried, for there was a rush of well-wishers, each taking her hands in theirs and kneeling. She fought the urge to pull them to their feet too quickly, her face flushing with embarrassment. All her life she had been an alchemist. For a time she had been a poisoner, striking names off a ledger. And now—
A firm squeeze of her fingers wrenched her from her daze, and she found herself looking at a pair of celadon eyes that matched her own.
‘I don’t know ifcongratulationsis what I’m meant to say here,’ Thea said, brow furrowing. ‘But I think the most appropriate words from me are:thank you.’
‘Thea, don’t—’ Wren started, but her sister cut her off.
‘I mean it,’ she said fiercely. ‘Thank you. I know you did it for me. And it was selfish of me to let you.’
‘You are far from selfish, Thee.’
Thea shook her head. ‘There won’t be a day that goes by that I am not grateful to you for what you sacrificed. We once fought for the world we wanted, and we will do so again. But when we win, it will beyouwho has given me the life I yearned for.’
Tears stung Wren’s eyes as Thea bowed.
‘Thank you, sister,’ the Shadow of Death murmured, kissing the back of her hand.
Choking back a sob, Wren pulled her sister to her feet. ‘It’s my honour.’
Thea smiled and stepped away, only for Wren’s breath to catch in her throat as another Warsword took her place.
Torj Elderbrock came forwards and knelt before her, his sea-blue eyes lined with silver. ‘I have made my vows to you before,’ he said quietly. ‘But I do so again with you as a crowned ruler of the midrealms.’
‘And what is it that you promise, Bear Slayer?’ she asked, her voice trembling.
He held her gaze, offering his war hammer in reverence. ‘That I will protect you, that I will serve you, and that I will love you, as my soul-bonded, my storm wielder, my wife... and as my queen.’
Wren let the tears fall as she pulled the warrior to his feet, the draw between them more powerful than ever. ‘Then my promise to you is the same, Torj. Always.’
CHAPTER 64
Torj
‘A Warsword’s armour is a prize bestowed upon him by the kingdom of Delmira upon completion of the Great Rite’
– The Warsword’s Way
IN THE TORCHLIGHTof his tent, the glass vials in Torj’s palm gleamed, mocking him.Two. There wereonlytwoleft.
