Page 52 of Fire and Fate
I stare up at Alessia beside me, taking comfort in her calm presence. She's radiant in a golden gown that brings out the warmth in her skin, her blonde hair styled elaborately with small flowers woven through. She looks every inch a queen, regal and composed, and I hope I can channel even a fraction of that confidence.
Then I look over at Zara, who's speaking animatedly with Elara near the door. The royal physician looks amused by whatever Zara is saying, her violet eyes twinkling with what looks like mischief.
"I know the traditions, Elara," Zara says, her voice carrying a note of exasperation. "But we do not need to scare my new mates in the name of tradition. There has to be some flexibility here."
Elara's smile widens. "Wolves understand nakedness and this is no different. It's a bonding ceremony, Zara. These traditions have stood for centuries."
"You know good and well that's not what I mean," Zara counters, crossing her arms. "We will eventually claim both of my mates as is custom, but the prophecy mentioned three, or at least we thought it did. Having four complicates things, and we will not hide where Kaia and Solace come from. The truth aboutValoria, about what happened to Isolde, it's going to create tension. We need to handle this carefully."
"And your job will be to smooth it over as one of their queens," Elara says with infuriating calm. "You've handled worse. You'll handle this. Trust in the people, Zara. They've been waiting for this moment their entire lives."
I feel overwhelmed suddenly, the weight of what's about to happen pressing down on me. I'm going to be presented to an entire kingdom as their prophesied Omega, the one they've been waiting centuries for. And I'm going to have to explain that I'm from the kingdom that's been attacking them, that my father is responsible for countless deaths, that I'm the daughter of a dragon they lost decades ago.
Alessia's hand finds my shoulder, warm and grounding. "Breathe, sweetheart. You're not alone in this. We'll be right there with you."
"What if they hate me?" I whisper. "What if they can't accept that I'm from Valoria?"
"Then we'll deal with it together," Alessia assures me. "But I don't think they will. The people of Embrath understand that you're not responsible for your father's actions. And when they learn you're Isolde's daughter, that you carry dragon blood, they'll welcome you as one of their own."
Zara finishes her conversation with Elara and crosses to us, her expression softening when she sees my face. "Ready?"
"No," I admit. "But I don't think I'll ever be ready, so we might as well do it now."
She chuckles, pressing a quick kiss to my forehead. "That's my brave girl. Come on. Let's introduce you to your people."
The doors swing open and we step out into the courtyard. The sight that greets me steals my breath. Hundreds of people fill the space, maybe thousands. Dragons in human form, all watching us with expressions ranging from curiosity to hope to barelycontained excitement. The courtyard is massive, larger than I realized from my window view, with stone columns rising on all sides and banners bearing Embrath's insignia fluttering in the breeze.
We walk to a raised platform where four thrones sit, clearly prepared for this moment. Zara and Alessia take their places in the center two, gesturing for Solace and me to take the ones on either side. The symbolism isn't lost on me. We're being presented as equals, as co-rulers, not as lesser mates or consorts.
Zara stands, and the crowd falls silent immediately. The authority in her bearing is absolute, commanding respect without effort. "People of Embrath," she begins, her voice carrying across the courtyard. "We stand before you today to fulfill the prophecy that has guided our kingdom for centuries. The prophecy spoke of a golden Omega who would come to complete our bond, to bring prosperity and peace to our lands."
Murmurs ripple through the crowd, excitement building. I can feel their anticipation, their hope, even without my empathic abilities working on dragons.
"And as humorous as Mother Nature is," Zara continues, a slight smile playing on her lips, "she has given us mates from the kingdom of Valoria."
The murmurs turn to shocked whispers. I can see confusion on many faces, concern on others. Valoria is their enemy, the source of decades of attacks. Why would their prophesied Omega come from there?
"But she also brought us a piece of home," Zara says, and now her voice carries weight, emotion. "The Omega standing before you is not just any Omega from Valoria. She is Isolde's daughter."
The silence that follows is deafening. I can see shock on every face, disbelief and wonder warring with each other.Then someone in the crowd gasps, and another, and suddenly everyone is talking at once.
"Isolde had a daughter?"
"How is that possible?"
"She's been alive this whole time?"
"Look at her, her magic has Isolde's coloring!"
Zara raises her hand for silence and gets it, though it takes longer this time. "Isolde was taken from us decades ago, stolen by Valoria's king and kept prisoner. She died years ago, but not before giving birth to a daughter and teaching her everything she could about her heritage, even if she couldn't reveal the full truth. Kaia carries dragon blood, dragon magic, and her mother's fierce spirit."
The crowd erupts into cheers, genuine joy replacing the initial shock. People are crying, laughing, calling out blessings. The relief and happiness washing over me is overwhelming even though I can't feel their emotions directly.
"There's one more thing," Zara says, and the crowd quiets again to hear. "The prophecy spoke of three, of a triad to rule Embrath. But the magic has given us four. Kaia's Beta, Solace, is also our mate. We are a quad, not a triad, and we will rule together as equals."
This announcement receives a more mixed response. I can see some people nodding in acceptance, others frowning in confusion. A voice calls out from the crowd, older and uncertain. "But the prophecy specifically mentioned three! How can four be right?"
I stand before I can think better of it, my voice ringing out clear and strong. "The prophecy spoke of what was needed to bring balance. If the magic chose four of us, if it recognized all of us as mates, then four is what's right. Solace has protected me my entire life, followed me into the Shadowlands when anyone else would have turned back, brought me safely to your queenswhen she could have tried to stop me. She deserves to be here just as much as I do."
