Total pages in book: 362
Estimated words: 347293 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1736(@200wpm)___ 1389(@250wpm)___ 1158(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 347293 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1736(@200wpm)___ 1389(@250wpm)___ 1158(@300wpm)
“But there will be a winter thanks to our Queen!” a god shouted from somewhere in the gathering. Laughs and cheers of agreement traveled through the crowd. “And that is something to celebrate.”
Ash nodded. “That, it is.” He turned his head to me. “And we have Seraphena to thank for that.”
Joyous shouts rose, sweeping over the coliseum and drawing a faint smile from Ash.
I lifted a hand, and they quieted so quickly I was a little taken aback. “It is not just I who is to thank for that. It is also Nyktos.”
There were more exclamations, and they came in a great roar that brought a smile to my lips.
“I would not be here if not for him,” I continued. “Our King.”
It seemed like the entire crowd froze. If I had Ash’s ability, I’d likely be drowning in shock.
“The realms will no longer be ruled by only the true Primal of Life,” I announced. “That has ended. The realms shall thrive under the joint rule of a King and Queen.”
“That will not be the only change. Iliseeum and the mortal realm will no longer suffer under tyrannical rule or cruel indifference,” Ash said, his voice carrying. Ash wasn’t threatening per se, but he was sending a message. “We will see Iliseeum as it once was under my father’s rule. But better, where one can move among Courts without fear of punishment or leaving family and loved ones behind.”
“We will have a future where mortals do not tremble in fear upon sight of us.” I lifted my chin. “Or are treated as little more than sources of entertainment.”
“These changes will not come easily. There will be resistance. Blood will be shed,” Ash told them. “But we promise we will not give up until that future becomes the present.”
Then Ash lifted our joined hands, the swirl of the golden imprint on the top of his left glittering in the sunlight.
A frenzy of cheers erupted across the coliseum floor, causing Nektas to lift his head. Their feet came down hard, thudding on the stone, matching the tempo of my heartbeat. My gaze flew to Ash’s.
“I think they approve,” he said as those in the crowd waved their arms in wild excitement. Voices clamored in unison, chanting…mayeeh Liessa.
Our Queen.
And shouting mayeeh Liessar.
Our King.
Blinking, I scanned faces filled with surprise. People were embracing one another, others wept as they pressed their hands to their cheeks or chests—women and men. My eyes widened in awe at the feverish outpouring of emotion from the crowd. My throat tightened but with good things instead of panic as I took in the joyful, beaming faces.
Ash tugged on my hand, drawing me to his side. I looked up, and his gaze swept over my face with intensity. “Thirty-six,” he said, cupping my cheek with his other hand. “Just making sure they are all still there.”
Then he kissed me.
And gods, there was no restraint or suppression of desire as I gripped the front of his tunic. Our tongues twined in a sensual dance as his sharp fangs grazed my lips. He kissed me as if it were just us, and for that fleeting moment, it truly was. But we weren’t alone. Bawdy whistles and raucous shouts pierced the air.
I laughed against his lips, my face warming.
“I think they liked that even more,” he said, folding his arms around me. As he held me, I swore the entire realm must have heard the cheers.
Closing my eyes, I rested my cheek against Ash’s chest and soaked in the sound. I really hadn’t known how today would go or what our reception would be. The possibilities had been endless. But I never expected this.
Though I probably should have. Most of those here knew that I had fought against the dakkais alongside Ash and had changed the landscape of the Shadowlands overnight. And I was, after all, the true Primal of Life, and Ash was beloved by his people. Of course, they would be ecstatic.
However, I’d never experienced anything like this in my entire life. I had not been known to my kingdom. I’d been nothing but a specter not fully formed yet drenched in blood. I wasn’t that here. I was seen. Welcomed. Known.
When I pulled away, I peeked over my shoulder. Nektas was watching us. He huffed with a shake of his large head as Saion approached us.
“Your face is so red,” Saion told me before addressing Ash. “The barrels of wine you had us bring are about to be rolled out.”
“Perfect.” Ash’s hand slid down the center of my back.
“This went really well,” I said as several soldiers began moving the large barrels out from the alcove of the colonnade.
Saion smiled. “Of course, it did.”
Bele jogged down the dais steps, and something struck me as I looked over the mass of gods, godlings, and mortals. “No one is wearing masks like many did during the coronation.”