Chapter 34

A fter leaving my mother’s office—My office, I was thrown into a wind whirl of frantic staff and magic clouds. Literal clouds as the poor kitchen staff used their magic to shuttle the food and tables to the coven banquet hall. Chef Dubois almost crashed into me as he carted the items down the long hall. His face was as pale as his uniform. Call me prideful, but when he called me princess, I had to bite my tongue to prevent myself from correcting him. Nodding my head, I just watched as he and Clarissa fumbled down the long hallway like two peas in a pod.

Those were some strong, inept genes.

When I finally made it upstairs to my floor, silence greeted me like an odd friend. Goosebumps formed on my arms. I knew it was me being silly, but the halls that led to my wing didn’t hold any warmth anymore. It all felt cold and sterile, like the shifter section of the dungeon. Or was it just me? I thought as I stood at the entrance of my mother’s hallway. If I closed my eyes, I could almost envision her standing at the end of her wing, just coming out of her bathroom with her fluffy white robe and her dark curls wrapped in a bun as she’d done. Oh, so many times. She would turn toward me, sticking out her tongue while I followed her into her room.

Folding my arms around my body, I made my way towards my wing, leaving the cold hall behind. I’m not sure if I will ever venture back down the tan hall, but I knew I would have to get rid of the things in the rooms. Finally, making the castle mines. When I arrived in my room, I threw myself onto the bed, staring at the ceiling until the sharp lines of the paint blended and shifted as my eyes narrowed until I was fast asleep.

When I awoke, Ms. Kincaid was standing over me. Her hands locked onto her hips for dear life. She had the same cocked eyebrow look from earlier on, but this time, she had a smirk on her face. Groaning, I sat up and rubbed the kink out of my neck. Ms. Kincaid was dressed in her emerald house dress as she swept into my closet, pulling out the dress my mother and I brought on one of our trips. The long-sleeved silk dress, the same color as my eyes, sat in the back of my closet reserved for royal funerals.

“I have your bath ready, and I’ll leave the dress on your bed. Or would you like me to wait?”

Without thinking, I hugged Ms. Kincaid. When I pulled away, she smiled. “Please wait. I think I will need help with the dress.”

“Of course, my Queen.” She paused. “I picked the staff. An older gentleman with no immediate ties to our coven, he’s simple. I’ve asked Sir Reid to place him in the holding cells in the coliseum, and everything else is set and ready.”

When I finished getting ready, I entered the room to find Ms. Kincaid folding clothes. I grabbed the silk dress off of the bed, slipping it over my head and over my body. Every curve that graced my body was highlighted in the dress. Ms. Kincaid finally stopped fussing with the scattered clothes, turned to me, and shook her head. “You’re the spitting image of your mother,” was all she said as she walked behind me. She made quick of zipping the dress up, helping me with my makeup, and helping with the last of my looks. A quick glance at the clock showed seven fifty-nine P.M.

“Thank you, Ms. Kincaid. Our guest and the coven are probably waiting for us. Let’s not keep them waiting.”

Without a second thought, a thundering noise made us jump as my white portal cracked the open space in the room. Both Ms. Kincaid and I jumped, staring at each other.

Ms. Kincaid humphed. “Well, someone’s new power has gotten the best of them.”

The shaky smile that settled on my face reassured Ms. Kincaid… or me, I wasn’t sure. Hurriedly, I took her hand, and we crossed the portal into the entrance of the coliseum. Pushing down the wave of nausea that threatened to make its way up, Ms. Kincaid’s gentle hand on the small of my back drew my attention back to my reality. Never let them see you with your crown down. Back straightened. I was about to make my trek to the coven circle when Sir Reid stepped into the small walkway. In his hand held my family’s crown that had been worn by Youna. The emerald gem-encrusted crown was exquisite. Two medium-sized silver bands formed the base of the crown. Between them were rhombus-shaped gems the same color, with Youna in the middle of the crown valley of the crown, holding both in her hands on either side of her. She stood strong, commanding respect.

“Let me fix it for you. It’s the least I can do for what you’ve been put through in the past couple of days. Remember, I’m always here to help you, my queen.” Sir Reid’s gruff voice vibrated through the empty walkway, shaking my already trembling nerves. I guess I could thank Ms. Kincaid for that. Since he always puffs out his chest when she’s around. “Not all the covens are well versed in the old ways, fate, and so forth. I would suggest being conscious of what you’re going to tell the coven. Your mother is going to be missed by many, and some may not take to the sudden change of power as they did with your mother. You and I both know that change is hard for the coven,” Sir Reid mentioned.

“I agree, Sir Reid. That’s why I had Ms. Kincaid find a prisoner.” I replied, agreeing with him for once. His eyebrows scrunched as he looked at me, perplexed. I guess there was a first for everything.

“Smart.” He nodded.

After he fixed the crown on my head, Ms. Kincaid made sure it didn’t mess up my hair. When she came close, Sir Reid nearly jumped out of his army attire. If this was any other time, I would tease him mercilessly. Too bad it was past the start time for the funeral, gauging by the amount of chatter from inside and the magically induced instruments playing my mother’s favorite songs.

“Let’s get to it. Time waits for no one and especially not a Thibodeaux.”

I took one last deep breath, standing by the entrance of the lion’s den with the same straight statue as my mother had always taken. Ms. Kincaid shuffled out of the walkway to where the announcer sat, waiting for my arrival. His white suit made the emerald shirt stand out against the crowd of plain emerald-suited crowd and the light-colored wood stage meant for the equipment. The announcer’s head bobbed as he fought to stay awake. By the time Ms. Kincaid reached the sleepy announcer, someone had knocked him awake. A sheepish smile and flushed face emerged as Ms. Kincaid whispered into the older man’s ears.

Rushing to the stage, the old man almost tripped on the stairs to the stage, causing the equipment to stutter slightly. He paused as he played with the ends of his suit while letting the music end on a good note.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Queen Kaydian Thibodeaux.”

The crowded arena became deathly silent as Sir Reid and I stepped into the elegantly decorated coliseum. Confusion had laced the massive arena as everyone watched my every move. A slight shiver passed through me. Could I do this? What if I’ve gotten it all wrong? It's too late now. It’s our time to shine. Swallowing, I held firm with my head held high and continued down the white carpet leading to the royal table. As I drew closer to the Royal coven table, each golden army bowed slightly. The gold-colored walls reflected the hanging lights that brightened up the dark arena. White banners with Youna and her mates hung in the open spaces along the coliseum walls. Our royal table was made of black onyx marble in a u-shaped that sat high enough, bringing us level with the bottom row of the coven seating row that lined either side of us. House guards lined the steps to the seating area, one on each step for safe measures. Sir Reid helped escort me to the top of the stairs, leaving me to acknowledge each of the six coven leaders from their respective continents.

Turning to face the coven members, I stalled slightly as I looked around the rows filled with my people. Typically, they would be seated in front of me on the coliseum floor, but tonight calls for a unique arrangement. Folding my hands in front of me, “I’m sure you’re wondering why you’re all here. There has been a grievous event that took place today.” Turning to Sir Reid, who stood next to me. “Bring out the prisoner and my parents, Sir Reid.”

He nodded and sent the eight of the guards on the steps to complete my instruction.

“See, while we ate and slept, a treasonous bastard wormed his way into the Queen’s chamber and poisoned my parents with white odollam tea.” Pausing, the crowd echoed their dismay. Raising my hand, a hush silence fell over us. “I understand this comes as a shock to many of you…to me as well. We trust our staff, and to be repaid like this is unimaginable. Tonight is not only about redemption but celebration, as our Youna will have revenge for her blood.”

Two guards returned first as they dragged the prisoner to the foot of the stage. He was an older man with raw skin around his wrists and ankles from the chains. My nail dug into my palm as the stinging pain helped to keep the acid in my stomach at bay. Once they reached the foot of the steps, the guards let go of the older man, as he dropped to his knees. Even from here, I could make out the white cast across his pupils. It became so thick that you could only see the faint edges of his retinas. The thick ball in my throat burned when I noticed the tears falling from his face. Ms. Kincaid, who stood by the announcer on the other side of the stage, held her head straight, staring off into the crowd. Out of all the people she could have chosen, she chose a blind man. I’m too afraid to look back at the other coven members for fear I may break out in tears and ask for forgiveness. Sir Cross most likely would make my life a living hell if that were to happen.

The low chatter quickly died as the Golden Army’s heavy footsteps clunked across the cement floor. Funerals were the only time you will hear them coming and today I wish I hadn’t. “Fix your face, my Queen,” Sir Reid whispered low enough through his clenched teeth so that the coven wouldn’t see me blink back the tears that threatened to fall. Keep calm and never let them see you stress. I repeated in my head until my mouth was in two hard lines.

More clunking resounded in the coliseum as the small guards reached the steps with my mother’s casket. The Double casket, my mother’s pride and joy, was made of gold with a full length painting of Youna on its side that I completed when I finished royal classes. Embedded in the end was a diamond we painted emerald that was the size of my fist.

Pushing the small button embedded into the stage. The floor in front of the stage opened wide enough for the golden pedestal and the casket to emerge from beneath the arena. The golden army placed the casket on top of the wide pedestal and stepped back. Walking down the steps, past the kneeling prisoner. One guard waved their hand over the cover, and the casket caps opened, falling to the opposite side so that my parents were on full display to everyone, royal, and coven. Gasps, crying, and mutters of disbelief filled the building. Whether they were authentic, no one will ever know.

“This outsider has come into our village, our home, and desecrated Youna’s bloodline. Afterward, we showed him mercy.” Peering into the casket. My mother, even in death, looked beautiful in her emerald silk dress that almost matched mine with her pin of Youna. I remembered how her eyes twinkled when she found my size in the matching dress. Sniffing back tears, I thank Youna that the Golden Army would never react to me having a mini breakdown.

The coven grew impatient as they chanted wase roe . Kill him in what may be the last words they remember from the old royal language.

The dark green of my magic darted out, reaching the blind man before I could think, and dragged him by the casket. He screamed and cried some more as his legs dragged against the concrete floor, leaving a trail of blood behind. Flinching, I hadn’t commanded my magic to do anything, but it seemed it wanted to put on a show for everyone. My magic dropped him right at my feet. Face first on the ground. Sir Reid pulled him up to his knees, and the prisoner's shackles clanged as he trembled.

“What’s your name?” I asked low enough for us to hear.

“M-Micha?l, M-M-My Queen.” His stuttering was so bad that I almost missed his English accent.

“Why did you come to this coven when you’re clearly from England?”

Micha?l’s face flushed pink, causing his sandy skin to darken. The clinking sound of the metal handcuffs filled the void between us. He was as nervous as I was.

“Speak your last piece, Micha?l. Youna and the goddess will welcome you with open arms.” I said, but Micha?l just stared straight through me. Clearing my throat, he snapped out of his trance.

“S-Sorry, my Queen. I only have one ear,” he responded, turning his small head to the side. The dark puckered scar made Sir Reid’s one look like a paper cut. With jagged edges that ran along his scalp all the way to the base of his neck, whoever did this made sure that he would remember them. This did nothing to help calm my churning stomach. Could I do this to a man who has lost his sight and hearing? Was I such a monster?

Repeating my last question into his functioning ear. His shoulders slumped. “I-I ran away from England…”

His confession made me find the jubilant coven leader of Europe in the royal circle. With my eyebrow arched. I watched as a small smile crept onto his face. Sir Cross was many things, but he was loved and cherished by the European Royal coven and the coven. Both his and mine. All eyes were on me and the prisoner. I wish I had time to learn more about him because I hated to be surprised in front of the coven and royals.

“For?” I asked, curiosity laced in my voice.

Micha?l's bottom lip trembles, swallowing loudly. “Please, you have to understand… My Queen…”

“Micha?l…” I said through my clenched teeth. With everyone’s gaze on me, watching me. Judging me. The back of my dress stuck to my skin even in the cold winter air.

“I killed them. My family…they demanded too much of me, and I—couldn’t take it anymore. I slit their throats and burned the house I paid for down.” He wept. No doubt, Sir Reid placed a spell to regurgitate this horrid story.

It was as if time had stood still as I stared in disbelief. She couldn’t have told him a better story. My eyes felt like cotton, dry, and itchy. When his grubby arms wrapped around my leg, soaking my skirt with his useless tears. The silk garment stuck to me, but I still hadn’t moved as a state of shock washed over me.

“…I ran because I wanted a new life, and in return, the goddesses took my hearing and vision as punishment, but that’s okay since I made it here. Where I found a better life alone.”

To imagine Kaydian Thibodeaux, standing here in the middle of the stadium. The need to run away was quickly dampened by his omission. Finish it! Its life should have been shortened, anyway. My sympathy and tears for the witch were wasted on this despicable fool. Without a second thought, I unsheathed the guard’s sword and dug my hand into the bastard’s hair, pulling at the stringy, weak strands until he screamed. Thank you, Youna, for making me royal just for this. I used my strength to pry him from my leg and lift him with ease as I placed him over the opening of my mother’s casket.

“Go with peace and take this offering to the underworld,” I said the goddesses prayer in the Royal language. Unfortunately, my hand was trembling with anger as I lifted my heavy sword and dragged it back and forth across his meaty neck. Each pass of the sword caused the muscles and tendons to snap like a rubber band. I should have been appalled at feeling how much he shook while he screamed or the harsh snaps of his ligaments through my fingers, but it only made my magic ecstatic as it coursed through my veins, begging to help break the poor witch in half. But that wouldn’t happen as the complete exultation I felt as this blood splattered the white lining of the casket, my face, and my silk dress as I sawed through his vertebra. The metallic scent filled my nose as his blood dried on my face. Halfway through his spine, my arms gave out from holding my heavy sword with one hand. The loud ringing sound echoed throughout the coliseum as the sword found its new home on the ground. Taking my leg, I placed my knee into his flaccid back, locking his lifeless body between me and the casket, pulling at the dangling link of bone until the sickening wet sucking sound as the last of his spine slid out of his body. A monsoon of his dark red essence soaked the floor and what was left of his useless body as I stood watching his lifeless remains slowly slide down the casket and the pedestal, kicking his body off of the pedestal and into his pooling river of blood.

“Go with peace and an offering. May Youna guide you to the underworld.” The crowd repeated softly as I laid the head and spine in the casket between my mother’s hands. My mother was saturated with his offering. Youna and the goddesses will guide my mother…and my father, for that matter.

Closing the casket lid, I spoke the goddess prayer over until I heard the loud click of the lid closing shut. The emerald gem in the middle of Youna burned bright green as it flooded from the sacrificial offering. A hushed silence fell upon the coliseum as I walked closer to the Youna painting on the side of the casket. My fingers felt for the incandescent button in the middle of her chest, and as I pushed, my magic added to my mother’s stored magic. Green flames taller than I encased the casket, flickering and waving as the goddess claimed my parents’ bodies. Through the green fire, I noticed Bernadette and two other coven ghosts paid their respect to my mother. Although I cast Bernadette out of the castle, she still gave me a sad smile and nodded to show respect.

As the raging fire dwindled, I counted in my head until the green flame flickers dimmed till there was nothing left but the smoky scent. Nobody made a sound, not even after I turned, stepping over the dead flesh and up the steps once again. Wringing my hands together, flakes of dried blood decorated the floor in front of me as I folded my hands in front of me. The house guards dragged the lifeless body by the ankle to the dragon woods. With a flick of my wrist, the pedestal lowered below the ground. The last resting place for the Thibodeaux’s. Under the coliseum, where every one of royal descent could feel the soft hum of unbridled power that laced the tan building. A somberness fell over the royals and the coven as everyone turned their attention to the royal table. The loss of a royal from the second strongest family was a significant loss to every witch coven.

Turning to the Royal table, each Royal leader acknowledged me with a nod. Sir Cross stood from his position next to my seat, centered in the middle. His red suit stood out against his pale skin, which was usually pink, as his red cape trailed behind him. In the middle was a large silver pendant of Zadia, the goddess of life and death. The clanking of his shoes drew closer as I prepared for him to reach my side.

“Well, my favorite princess isn’t one anymore.” His somber tone seemed unnatural to my ears. He gathered my hand with my family’s ring, giving it a light squeeze that tugged at my heart. “My condolences to you. I know Youna will be overjoyed to have another one of her children in her kingdom.”

“Thank you, Sir Cross,”

“Your mother would be proud. You’re a spitting image of her, and I look forward to seeing how you govern your people. Maybe it will inspire Liam to get his act together. Either way, you have my full blessings.”

Sir Cross lightly pressed his thumb to the sharp point on my family’s ring, filling the marquise-shaped ring with his Zadia blood, causing the emerald to turn a murky shade of green before it gave way to the painted green color. Secrets among secrets. I thought as, one by one, the Royal Coven leaders gave me their blessings with their offerings. Sir Muller was getting ready to leave when he muttered, “You did the right thing.” In retrospect, he was correct. I did the right thing, but having it come out of the worm’s slimy mouth left me with the need to choke him or any male that came my way. Of course, I couldn’t because I had to keep up with a good appearance.

Grin and bear it…

One of my mother’s favorite sayings.

I plastered on that forced smile and kept it on until I was seated in the emerald back chair used for special occasions. My mother used to complain that she would have to sleep on her stomach because the chair was so hard, and she was right, but I wouldn’t complain. Not even throughout dinner, as I sat between Sir Cross and Sir Zheng from the Asian Coven. Where they played spit tag as they spoke around me. Did I complain? No. I couldn’t stomach eating my food after I watched a wet glob of chewed-up food land in the middle of my plate.

Pushing away the dish, the young attendant hurriedly gathered them up and vanished before I could even thank him. Excusing myself from the overbearing table, I made my way to find some alone time, even if it was just going to the bathroom. All I could think about was escaping to my room and crying myself to sleep, but this will have to do for now. My throat ached from straining as I tried not to scream at the crowded table. After I was finished using the bathroom, I finally took my first full breath.

I can do this.

I only had a couple of hours left until everyone went home. With my blank face, I decided it was time to face the music and head back. The moment I placed my hand on the knob was when I heard some of the staff talking.

“…It’s going to be a shit show,” a male voice said. His voice sounded raspy, like he smoked. “She’s unmated and ruling. That’s a disaster waiting to happen.”

The two men laughed as my nail dug into my wrist, fighting back the tears. It hadn’t even been a good two hours since I buried my mother, and they were already gossiping.

“Youna must hate her. Imagine your ancestor is the goddess of fertility, and you have not even one mate to fulfill your family’s legacy.” A high-pitched voice said.

“What if her pussy is cursed?” Both men went silent before their laughs bellowed out throughout the empty hall. “Can you imagine... being from the goddess of Youna and being barren?”

“I mean, look at her mother. She waited until poor Frederick was balls deep in mermaid…heck, any pussy to have a child. I always wondered if Youna just gave her a child just for fun.” There was a brief silence between the two. “And the disrespect for her father. Yes, he wasn’t royal, but she could have at least shown him some respect. She was always running off, knowing her father would be furious. Fucking women. They don’t know what’s good for them.”

“Exactly disrespectful bitch…I would put her over my knee and beat her. She does have the ass to handle a couple of beatings. Then I would fuck her until she couldn’t walk or think. I always heard the bigger girls have the wettest pussy.”

Standing against the cold bathroom door, paralyzed as rage ran through my veins. I waited until their footsteps and laughter faded into the background of the burial feast. Faint chuckles from the banquet hall drifted into the small bathroom, adding to my fiery mood. I’ve always held in my anger until I was alone, but one can only hold it in so long, and I was over the tipping point.

My heart pounded in my throat with each step I took back to the crowded, open banquet hall. Why do we really need men? I thought as I approached the royal table. Standing on the other side of the table, away from the rest of the coven guests, the scent of Fae wine thick in the air. It hadn’t dawned on me that I, along with the African Coven leader, Queen Afolayan, were the only females in the Royal Coven. She hardly ever interacts with us, choosing to follow her ancestor, Uona, goddess of peace. As she sat there, her mouth slightly turned down in a frown as Sir Muller and Sir Sladen drunkenly guffaw over whatever nonsense Sir Cross was saying. As if sensing me, her beautiful, warm brown eyes found mine with a raise of her eyebrow and sideways glance. Her full lips were pursed together. A grim smirk graced my face as I nodded to her.

With a wave of my hand, the instruments came to a halt as they plummeted to the floor, causing a loud clattering sound that ricocheted throughout the hall. Every eye turned to me, and if I wasn’t already hot with humiliation, I would have cowardly backed down.

“Although it’s late, I would like every one of my coven to meet me in the coliseum immediately,” I said as everyone looked around. Ms. Kincaid came rushing toward me. I leaned over and whispered in her ears, “Please help get everyone to the coliseum and prepare for the accession ceremony.”

“A meeting now with…surely it could wait until the mornin’.” Sir Sladen said. His usual overzealous voice had a slightly slurred tilt to it.

“No, it can’t, but I think you all had enough to drink. It’s time to send you back home. You’ll have a busy morning tomorrow.”

I smiled, but it felt forced and unnatural.

“ ‘pose so. We will be in touch,” Sir Cross said as he stood, stumbling a little as his housekeeper, a young man with green-tinged hair, helped him upright.

Twenty minutes later, when all of the Royal Coven leaders and their entourage were gone, I transported myself into the coliseum which Ms. Kincaid had turned back to the boring tan building. The table was gone and in place was the Emerald throne in the middle of the floor. It looked so dark that if I hadn’t seen the gleaming green chair during the daytime, I would have thought it was made from onyx. All ten thousand of the coven sat on the green wooden chairs on the floor instead of the cavea. Some of them swayed, filled with Fae wine, while others gawked as I made my way down the rows to my appointed seat on the throne. The accession ceremony usually takes place in the morning after the burial, but I couldn’t wait. I wanted to finish this night off right.

“Sera! Luc!” I bellowed. My voice dripped with magic as I used it to call my dragons. Within seconds, the heavy flapping of wings could be heard from behind me, and the hushed mutters of “Is she mad?” filled the coliseum. From my seat on the emerald throne, I could see fear laced throughout the sea of my people. My magic and I bristled at the fear because, above all else, fear was just as tangible as power. It felt better than anything to know they were afraid of me…well, some were, but only time will change that. Sera and Luc landed right beside me. One on each side of my throne. I trusted children. If I had no one else in this sordid world, I had them.

“Tonight, we celebrated the life of Celestine Thibodeaux by uplifting my ancestor Youna and her power of fertility by giving her back to the earth with a gift. Now it’s time to redraw lines and reestablish loyalties.” I paused to stroke Luc’s blue head. The witches in the front row nearly tipped their chairs back as he inched closer to them.

“Sir Reid, please gather your men to the front.” Sir Reid nodded from his position at the edge of the stage, beckoning the surrounding guards to fall in line. He, the Golden Army, and the house guards present formed five rows of gold and green armor-cladded warriors with Sir Reid at the forefront.

“As everyone knows, in this coliseum, no one is actually dead until they are given their send-off into the underworld. Death is inevitable even for an immortal, and although our body might die in this world, our tethered soul lives on in the underworld.” Letting the words sink into the coven. “But as the door closed on one chapter ending my beloved mother’s reign. A new day has come, and a new queen will fill the bestowed role that Youna had set for her bloodline. I, Kaydian Thibodeaux, will take my rightful place on the throne, and I will demand loyalty to a fault. And if that said loyalty is broken, then death would be the least of your worries. I make this promise to you we will usher Youna and our coven into a new era. A new beginning. A fresh start to a long and prosperous reign.”

Sera laid her head closer to me, giving me a chance to think about my next words. “Many have questioned my inability to rule because I’m still an unmated royal, but rest assure. I’ve planned to make sure that I will uphold our family name and prolong our reign. I want everyone to know that my loyalty will be to our people and to no one else. Not the royal coven leaders. To every single person in here tonight in this coliseum.” Turning my attention to the guards all lined up in front of the step. “Like my mother, I demand nothing less than your ardent desire to protect Youna and her bloodline. Those who follow suit will be blessed by the goddesses with eternal life in the underworld.”

My insides trembled as my magic rolled through me in waves of pent-up energy from earlier on.

Using my magic, I manifested my family sword from my enchantment room. With my palms open, the emerald hilt of my sword materialized into the palm of my hand. Unsheathing it from the scabbed. The usually soft green aura of my magic had turned a deep emerald green. I watched, mystified, as it warped around the silver metal until it turned green. Ms. Kincaid walked over with the golden chalice secure in her hands. The same cup Youna used to bind her heir’s loyalist to our bloodline for all of eternity, which held telltale signs of its age with abrasions that cut deep into its surface. I held out my hand as my magic reached out, hugging the cup as if they were old friends. The tinge of green remained suspended, just high enough for me to feed the cup. With my sword in my free hand, I lifted it, sliding it across the fleshy part of my palms. My red essence, a mass as old as the goddesses, dripped into the golden cup. Repeatedly, my palm healed as I reopened it until the cup’s gems shone against the coliseum lights.

In the back of my mind, I worried Sir Reid would turn me down. A silly notion in itself, but I couldn’t help the doubtful voice in my head. Walking over to the man, I considered my family, his face blank and unreadable.

“Sir Reid, would you stay by my side and lead the Golden Army as you once did for my mother? And help keep Saint Youna coven safe?”

Sir Reid peered at me as if I were a hallucination. He thought this was a joke. I thought as a bead of cold sweat rolled down my back. If Sir Reid didn’t stick by me, this coven may crumble. He was more than just my trainer and protector. He was my right hand—someone I trusted with my life. With my hand outstretched, with the chalice in my hand, I waited and waited until my foot tapped the ground. One black eyebrow cocked, and if I weren’t going crazy, I would say he was going to laugh at me.

The maddening man leaned in close enough for only me to hear, “In order for this work, you need to be honest with me about everything. And I mean everything. There are no more lies between us from this day on.”

Balls of steel this man had, but I couldn’t help but feel the balled up stress leave my chest.

“No more secrets or lies from this point on. We will tackle whatever together for as long as I have my sanity.”

He shook his head as he grunted, “And I want to know the full story about your parents. My duty is to you before the coven, but that becomes tedious when I don’t know the full story. We will plan accordingly for everything else.”

With the chalice weighing heavily in my hand, I nodded while I held it out once again. His dark eyes landed on me once again. I was about to command my magic or Bernadette, who was huddled in the back, to shake him, but his large hand reached out and took the cup. He took a step back, downing my thick red essence in one gulp, leaving nothing behind. Sir Reid’s pale skin engulfed my green glow as I watched with wide eyes. I’d never seen this take place, but I could tell he was enjoying the surprised look on my face as I watched a show only meant for my eyes. It made me realize how grateful I was for his support.

Sir Reid bowed. “I will and forever be a loyal servant to Youna Thibodeaux. As my father and his father and so forth, since the beginning of the first witches. I will serve you and your heirs until the goddesses determine its time for me to leave this world.”

A knot formed in my throat, making me too afraid to speak. So, I just nodded, which caused a cacophony of metal clanging against the concrete as the Golden Army and house guards bowed to Sir Reid. It was a rebirth of loyalty. An applause broke out in the crowd from the coven, who looked half awake. Sir Reid bowed to everyone as a show of respect.

“May Youna bless everyone who attended today’s royal funeral. You may now go home and rest. Tomorrow starts a new day for our coven.”

Watching everyone filter out of the coliseum, I couldn’t help but feel the tension leave my tight shoulders even if it was for tonight.

“It’s going to be smooth sailing from here.” My voice is filled with optimism.

Sir Reid snorted. He had moved over to stroking Sera as she rubbed her head into him, “I don’t want to spoil your night or mornin’, but I think trouble is on the horizon, My Queen, and it comes in the shape of two elder coven members. Sir Sladen mentioned they had some concerns about our coven, and they wanted to speak with the young new queen.”

A deep groan fell from my lips. Running my hand down my face as my eyes shuttered closed.

We’ve only just begun.

My dark voice gloated. What else could go wrong?