“And will you use your power justly and mercifully as it applies within the bounds of our rule?”
“I will.”
“And will you serve beside me and upon my council to execute our law?”
“Yes,” I breathed.
Adrian’s eyes never left mine as he spoke, and I felt like he was seeing me throughout all my lifetimes. I wondered if he had ever guessed this future for himself like Yesenia had—like I had.
Ana approached holding a velvet pillow, and Adrian gathered the crown that sat atop between his hands. It was black and iron, and though it sat heavily upon my head, I knew it belonged there.
“Rise, Isolde, queen of Revekka, future queen of the Nine Houses.”
I took his hand, and as I did, he kissed my knuckles.
“You are my light,” he said.
“And you are my darkness,” I replied.
They were old words, a memory from my past, and they felt just as natural as Adrian’s touch.
He pulled me up the remaining steps and into a kiss that I felt deep in my belly. My hands went to his face as I devoured him just as hungrily, and when he released me, the crowd began to clap and chant.
“All hail the king! Long live the queen!”
I scanned the faces gathered, noting those who joined the hymn and those who remained silent—one of them being my father. I felt a horrible pang in my chest as I connected with his hard stare.
“All hail the king! Long live the queen!”
Adrian started to guide me down the steps when the doors to the great hall were thrown open and in ran a guard who stumbled and fell to his knees.
“Cel Ceredi is under attack!”
Dread tightened my throat as Adrian and I exchanged a look.
We both knew who it was.
Ravena.
The crimson mist.
“Stay,” Adrian said. “Get to higher ground, and I will return.” He kissed my forehead and as he left, calling for Daroc to join him, Ana hurried to my side.
“Sorin,” Adrian called. “Stay with the queen!”
Several guards fell into ranks behind them, and as I watched him go, a greater sense of unease washed over me.
“You heard the king,” Sorin said. “Higher ground.”
But as he spoke, Gesalac stepped into the center of the room, and I knew whatever his intentions, they were not good.
I lifted my chin.
“So it appears you have made it to coronation day,” he said.
“Do you have something to say, Noblesse?”
“My queen,” Sorin said, coming to stand beside me. He placed a hand upon my arm. “Perhaps it would be best to retire to your room where it is safe.”
He attempted to urge me toward the adjoining room where Adrian and I had waited for court, but as he did, a group of vampires—some noblesse, including the one-eyed Julian and their vassals surrounded us. When they drew nearer, I felt Sorin’s body tense, his grasp on me tightening. Ana, too, turned in an attempt to block me from their onslaught.
I glared at Gesalac.
“So this is how it will be,” I said.
“This is treason, Noblesse Gesalac,” Sorin said.
“It is not treason,” he said. “It is revenge. King Adrian knows a thing or two about revenge, does he not?”
“I am warning you not to touch me,” I said.
The group who surrounded me laughed.
“What is a warning from a mortal? Besides, you would not want anything to happen to your father, would you?”
Gesalac nodded, and I turned to find that my father and Killian were restrained. I spun to face my captor. “You want me to pay for killing your son, is that it?”
“I want you to pay for coming here at all, for turning the king’s eye away from his prize.”
If he knew Adrian at all, he would know he had already claimed it.
I clicked my tongue. “Oh, that rings of jealousy, Noblesse.”
“Adrian may like your mouth, but I, for one, cannot wait to cut out your tongue.”
“Did he not warn you,” I said through my teeth, “that I am a warrior first and a queen second?”
Just then, the doors to the great hall groaned open and a woman staggered inside. I did not recognize her, and despite her muddy clothing, I could see that she had long, dark hair and delicate features—round eyes, a small nose, and soft lips.
I heard Ana gasped beside me.
“Isla!” Ana called and attempted to sprint down the steps, but she was instantly restrained by one of the vampires.
“No!” I reached for her, but Sorin held me in place as Ana screamed again for Isla.