23. Maeve

23

Maeve

T hough it was winter, and the air bracingly cold, and though they had undergone a tremendous storm which still required extensive repairs, tens of thousands of citizens poured out of their homes and businesses to attend to her coronation.

Maeve had never been in front of so many people before, and never at the center of attention like this. She felt it like pricks along the back of her spine, and the sensation grew in intensity and duration the longer she was among them.

As was traditional to the Realms, Maeve started her journey to the throne room from outside the castle, in the exact center of Realmsgate, where a tiered fountain was being repaired but would one day flow again.

Brought there by carriage, she had Lizette help her down so she stepped straight into a spot cleared for her.

The aisle she moved down, carpeted with golden rose petals no doubt supplied by Rodan, was barely wider than her outstretched arms. She walked calmly, head held high, her gloved hands holding up the front of her gown so she did not trip over the heavy fabric.

Maeve was dressed entirely in black and gold. Long gold silk gloves went over her elbows, and a sleeveless black bodice was tight around her abdomen, flowing into a massive ballgown skirt of thick brocade fabric. A trailing cloak was fixed to her shoulders, and though at first it offered very little protection from the elements, soon after she started her walk she warmed. Her hair was piled atop her head, braided and studded with some of the same gold trinkets she had been adorned with on the Court.

The attention and swelling hope Maeve sensed in the air had her throat tight, and she wanted to reach back out. To reassure the crowds whose minds she was touching on all would be well.

Only she knew better.

Swallowing hard, Maeve pushed the thoughts from her mind. Excitement was rising, as was the murmur of happy voices. Fiddles and lutes were set to work as she passed, musicians throwing out short songs about her beauty, her kindness, skill with magic, and of course short retellings of the duel.

Despite herself, she began to smile, and the people cheered, and soon she was walking even slower as, much to Lizette's radiating annoyance, Maeve began to stop to shake hands or speak with those whose minds were troubled, or who caught her attention in other ways.

It was her coronation, after all. It was not like they could get started without her.

All in all in took well over two hours to walk the three and a half miles to the castle gates, and by then her cheeks were hurting and the suns were starting their downward tumble.

As soon as she was through the gates, Maeve felt at home again. The people crowding her walkway here were more of the household staff, and a scattering of the imperial guard. People she knew or was coming to know. There were so many new faces, but the closer she came to the throne room, the more familiar they became. Music swelled, too, as musicians settled along the back took to their bows and strings, pipes and lutes.

Maeve wished she would see Bethany in the throng.

There were a lot of things she wished for as she mounted the six steps to the platform that held the carved stone throne, and turned, her coronation gown spreading out before her.

High Priestess Thea as well as several visiting dignitaries from the Realms and the higher-ranking persons who still remained at court and in favor, were aligned near the front. Elias grinned at her from nearby.

None of them were to do the honors.

Rodan would.

He had asked to, and she saw no reason why not. Maeve had not wished to start her reign by showing favoritism on any one particular region or religion. Being anointed by a long-lived monarch of legend and memory? That was something powerful.

Rodan had made a new crown just for her. Something she had some input in designing, but he had ultimately shaped. Not in the way she imagined he would, but by his own hands combined with making, working over a blazing smelter and then taking the time to intricately carve the metal and set each stone. It had not delayed the coronation, for he had finished hours before. He worked fast, but well, his skill undeniable.

The crown sat to her left on a stone plinth atop a plush black velvet cushion. It caught the light streaming through the tall, thin, ornately patterned windows to either side of the throne. It was taller than the crown Rodan and Sebastian had worn, the one that would be reserved for him still. This one was also adorned with roses, made so fine they looked real, and the thorns twined to five points in total that clustered near the front, representing each of the Realms. On the roses and on the base of some of the thorns were set small moonstones, glimmering in such a way as reminded her of fresh dew. The gold thorns were each tipped in clusters of black diamonds.

It was beautiful, and lethal-looking. When she had remarked upon this, Rodan had smiled and said, "Just like you."

Silence fell, the final notes of a melody fading. It was long enough that the weight of the black diamond and gold necklace at her throat began to grow heavy. It had seemed light as feathers when she was doing something, buoyed by the people and their exuberance for her.

Now, there was the tension of expectation. This had been done so few times in recent history that there was very little precedent.

Rodan came from the edge of the room, and despite having just arrived he walked as though he had been there all the while. He was dressed in black and gold formal military dress. The fabric was edged in dull gold, and his hair was a single braid down his back. She found she missed the gold ornaments from the Court, but only a little.

When he neared the stairs to the throne he bowed deeply, his voice loud in the still quiet. "May I?"

Maeve raised a hand, bidding him forward. Rodan stopped as he got to the crown on its cushion. He carefully lifted it from its place and then turned to the people with it in his hands, standing just to the left and in front of her.

"People of the Realms," he said, his voice threaded with power that made it louder, so surely those snaking out the door and into the halls beyond could hear him. She wondered if the whole of Realmsgate could. "There are few who would do as the one before you has done. Maeve Almeida has proven herself by trial, by combat, and through her love of you all.

"I, your former ruler, do declare this moment shall mark the beginning of a new golden age."

He pivoted around to face her, and bowed again, holding out the crown. "Will you accept this burden, Maeve Almeida?"

She lifted her chin minutely, her gaze having never deviated from straight ahead. "I will."

Her own voice echoed oddly, and all around her she could sense the people relaxing, sighing in relief.

Rodan stepped forward and placed the crown upon her head, over the mass of curls, and then stepped back and went to one knee, saying before he bowed his head, "I present: Queen Maeve. Long live!"

"Long live the Queen! Long live Queen Maeve!" Shouted the assembled, and the walls of the castle thundered with the sound, as it was echoed through throats within and without.

Maeve carefully took a step back, and sank onto the stone throne, keeping her head elevated and even, though the crown did not feel in danger of slippage. She was nervous, nonetheless. She had seen how Sebastian had to keep adjusting his, only— this feels as though it were made for me.

It was, through and through, she was finding out.

The people in the throne room all went to their knees, or bowed, or curtseyed. They dipped down for long seconds before rising once more with further cheering and calling of her name and title.

Her throat was tight. To think of where she had come from, all that she had endured, and to end up here? It was overwhelming.

And then the Realms opened to her as they never had in the past, the planet's intentions and emotions rushing through her in a wave of sensation that left gooseflesh along her arms and back.

Holy shit , she thought, and the words went through the bond.

Did the Realms say a proper hello, at long last? Was Rodan's rumbled response. Such dramatic timing. A smile crooked his lips. He had raised his head and was gazing at her, that curl to his mouth only for the two of them.

The Realms seemed to purr, and Maeve pulled in a breath, magic flowing deep into her lungs and zinging through her veins. Her skin began to glow, casting auroras of light against the stone throne and surrounding columns.

A part of her itched to make a staff of black iron and gold—something she could swear she had been seeing in dreams, ever since her father showed his—which would contain a small ball of her blue fire, but the way High Priestess Thea and her cohorts treated Maeve stayed her hand. There was something of the fundamentalist about them, and she had enough of that when fighting against the orator several months prior.

Maeve would have to face the rising knowledge of her divine ancestry head-on, she knew, and yet, Ankou had been right. She did feel vulnerable. Even though she could sense a great well of blue flame within her, it did not have the sense of infinite it did before.

So she did not wish to use it up, she did not wish to expose that part of herself.

The musicians started up after enough quiet had fallen over the massed group, which took far longer than Maeve expected. More than ten minutes, at least, for the waves of cheers calling her name, her new title, and for a long and healthy reign. Some even cheered for Lutem's daughter, though it was thankfully only raised once. It had been echoed, however, down at least half the throats in attendance.

Her mind was open to those around her. She could sense, more than touch on, the heightened emotions in the room. The pride and hope and love.

And so, when the vision hit, she could see it herself in multitude, connected to so many minds.

It was Earth. She could recognize the familiar shape of continents and geological formations. Cityscapes.

Only everything was afire, the world was awash in screams, and blood flowed like water. Then, spinning out from the world, pulling back to a larger view, she could see the shadows seeping across the planet like spilled oil. Overtaking everything, and eclipsing all light. Even the sun dimmed to nothing.

She was blind.

They were all blind.

Maeve gasped, coming back into sight with her hands gripping the curved arms of the throne. She cast her gaze to Rodan and found his eyes wide, as though he had had seen the same as she. People were crying and moaning. It had not been every mind plagued by these visions, but enough she took note. It was everyone with even a drop of magical sensitivity. Every elf, centaur, goblin, and fairy in attendance were clutching their foreheads.

Rising from the throne, careful not to let too much emotion show, Maeve reached for Rodan, who came to her side instantly, his hand slipping into hers. It was odd, to be gloved and touching him, though his presence was solid and reassuring.

She said as soon as he was near, "Something has to be done, now."

"We cannot abandon the people again," Rodan said.

"They saw it, same as you, same as me. If we do nothing, that darkness is coming here." Her heart was thundering, for there had been something so familiar about it. She feared what that might mean. "If we do nothing, we damn the Realms. We can still hold the ball, and the feast, but we have to start making preparations to go to Earth immediately. Help me talk to them?" she whisper-asked, touching her throat.

Rodan gave a nod, and the next she knew her voice was magically amplified just as his had been, and she was able to tell them all, "I know what we just collectively experienced was frightening, but I am taking steps to ensure we are safe. In the meantime, please follow the attendants to the festivities and I will be with you shortly. Thank you, all of you."

Maeve nodded, and Rodan removed the amplification before they strode out of the throne room through one of the narrow doorways, the buzz of conversation rising in their wake. Her ears were ringing as he helped her gather her long, trailing cloak. Once they were alone and able to remove it, it was slung over the back of a chair. She could not help but want to touch it, the black velvet and gold thread heavy in her hands.

She could not crack.

"Where's Jen?" Maeve asked.

"I'm here!" she heard in the next breath, as her friend came tumbling in from the other exit, followed closely by Troy. "We started heading this way as soon as the vision cleared. Are you okay?"

Maeve reached for her, and they grasped each other's arms. "I'm okay," she said. "You told me, but seeing it was?—"

"It's intense," Jen agreed. "I swear I can smell smoke right now."

"You can," Troy said. "There's the stink of it on everyone who had a vision."

"How many people, do you think?" Maeve asked. "I counted about half."

Nodding, her friend said, "We have to do damage control. It may have gone further than just the castle grounds. What if everyone on Realmsgate had the same vision?"

Maeve paled, looking to Rodan. He gazed back at her, silently offering support and telling her through the bond, ultimately, my love, we must follow your lead. You are now High Queen.

The crown felt like it grew several pounds heavier.

"Every night I've been having that same vision," Jen said. "A view of Earth from above, engulfed in fire and shadow, filled with screams." She shuddered and her eyes were glassy, as though she were seeing it all over again.

Troy put a hand on Jen's shoulder, gaze only for her.

Maeve blinked, and could see in a fraction of a second through her father's power, and saw the threads binding the two of them closer now than ever before. "My friend," she said, addressing Troy. "You're all tangled up in her, aren't you?"

They flashed a grin, exposing sharp white teeth, and the hand on Jen's shoulder stayed, fingers dimpling her flesh. She looked up at the elf, brow furrowed. "She is mine, and I am hers," they said proudly.

"Well, congratulations," Maeve murmured, contemplating the pair.

"Hold on a second," Jen said, stepping closer to Maeve and pulling herself out of Troy's grip. "This isn't the first time someone's said something like that. What's going on?"

Rodan rubbed his temples and sighed.

Maeve hesitated for a moment. "Perhaps I did not go into detail in the books as much as I could have, but you understand an elf mates for life, don't you? That's why it's such a big deal when one takes a human, because…" she hesitated, trailing off.

"Because why?" Jen demanded, turning to her.

She looked at Troy, who stared back at her with a challenge in their deep brown eyes, saying nothing. "Well, sort of like the bond, an elf fades and dies of heartbreak, when their mate dies."

"But Troy's had dozens of lovers!" she exclaimed, pointing at them.

"Aye," they said softly. "Lovers. Temporary. You are my only mate."

Jen scoffed, then laughed, looking between them all. "You can't be serious." Her smile faded as they both stared at her. "You're serious."

"Troy didn't tell you?" Maeve asked gently, glancing between them still. Troy's eyes narrowed.

"They certainly did not," Jen said, clutching Maeve's arm. "You're sure?"

"I'm sure they love you," she said after a moment where Troy offered nothing. "But they've lived in isolation for a long time, and may have forgotten how to behave like a proper person."

"Excuse me?" the elf growled, and Rodan barked a laugh. "Am I missing something?"

"Yes, you ass," Jen snapped, her anger back so fast it spun Maeve's head. "If you're going to mate with someone, you damn well explain to them what that means! I have no idea what?—"

"Does it matter, when we love each other?" they demanded.

"Yes!" Maeve and Jen exclaimed at once, both of them now glaring at Troy.

"My friend, you may want to concede defeat before you dig yourself a deeper hole," Rodan said, coming to the elf's side and staring down at them. "Withholding information is withholding the ability to properly consent." He glanced at Maeve as he said this, and she nodded. They had said enough about the subject privately that it could be aired somewhat in public. "Take it from me, apologize to your lady. Be grateful if she allows you to stay close to her heart."

Maeve nodded, silent.

Jen just stared at Troy, hurt and betrayal writ large across her face.

The elf gaped, mouth working in what may have been silent prayers. Then, glancing first between everyone, they strode forward and sank to their knees before Jen, taking her hand and bowing over it, pressing it to their forehead.

"My love, I am sorry," they said. "I did not mean to cause you pain or harm you in any way. I truly thought—you seemed so knowledgeable about this world, and I believed you knew about being mated. I should have made sure. I should have spoken plainly, and for not doing so I will never cease to apologize." They looked up at her, eyes shining silver-edged with unshed tears. "Forgive me, please. I cannot be without you."

Jen's expression twisted in bewilderment. "You truly thought I knew?"

"I was using enough of the language I thought you understood my meaning," they said, their cheeks darkening with a flush.

Maeve felt her own face heat.

Jen shook her head, but kept her hands linked with Troy's. "This is absurd, and we shouldn't even be doing this now—the visions?—"

"It's okay," Maeve said gently. "This is important."

"Please forgive me," Troy said, pressing their forehead to her hands once more. "Please, my love."

"I—if this is permanent, and you…" Jen took a deep breath. "I'm really mad at you."

"I know," they whispered, head bowed.

Maeve looked away, moving the short distance to Rodan's side and grasping his hand, trying to interpret the inscrutable look in his eyes.

I was just thinking this is not a strange situation, sadly, said his voice in her mind, the brush of him through the bond something warm and comforting. Too often, even great lovers fail at the most basic communication. I know I did.

She squeezed his fingers. We all learn, and get better. It takes time.

Which they all had now.

Jen's voice rose. "Of course I forgive you, just get off the floor for crying out loud. We have a situation."

Maeve turned to see Troy leap to their feet and grasp Jen's face, hauling her in for a kiss. She looked away, peeling off her elbow-length gloves and slinging them onto a nearby table, her skin pebbling with gooseflesh. Reaching up, she gently pulled the crown from her head, her neck finally able to relax. She stretched it side to side before considering the heavy gold treasure in her grip.

It was exquisite. Something that looked more grown than formed by hands. And there was a thrumming beneath her fingertips, a sort of weight to it beyond the physical.

Rodan's hands covered hers. "May I?"

She nodded, still not taking her eyes from the crown. It was hers. Not a ceremonial prop, but one made just for her, by her love, and representing all that was to come.

The weight of it hit her in the throat. She could not speak.

The crown slipped from her, and next she saw he had opened the rift that separated the world from his little hideaway laboratory and library. She watched him move through the doorway and set the crown on one of the shelves, on a low cushion that looked pre-placed for this occasion. Rodan had taught her a little over a day before how to open the portal, and the spells to keep the door ajar for others. If she wanted to bring anyone in with her, she had to hold their hand while they crossed the threshold, otherwise the wards would prevent their movements.

Maeve jumped when a hand came down on her arm, and turned to find Jen standing near.

"Hey, sorry," her friend said. "But we're done." She motioned between herself and Troy, hovering close by. "We can go back to the previous emergency."

Maeve smiled.

Jen leaned in, lowering her voice, "Is it weird I'm—happy?"

Maeve shook her head, still smiling. "It's better here, isn't it?"

And she was about to ask them to return to Earth, a place that represented pain, in many ways. Pain and banishment.

"We should move," Rodan said, as soon as he had closed the portal behind him. "There is much to be done. Maeve, we have to decide who is coming, and who will remain behind. I have the feeling this will test our people."

Nodding, Maeve linked her arm with his. They led the way out of the side chamber and back to the main meeting room, where Victor, Pike, Lizette, Nath, and several others of the guard were in attendance. They all turned when she entered the room with Rodan.

"My Queen," Lizette said, bowing deeply with one arm crossed over her chest.

"Lizette, captain of the Queen's Guard," Maeve said, bestowing the title and creating the position in one. "At ease. How many of you experienced the vision?"

"All, your majesty," Victor said, his face a little flushed. "Am I not to be your captain, then?"

"You will continue to be captain to the King's Guard," she said. "I am still deliberating on the exact title, but Rodan will rule by my side as king. I thought you would prefer to be with him."

Victor hesitated over his words, then bowed just as deep as Lizette had done. "I would prefer it, my Queen, yes. Thank you."

Maeve smiled softly. It was the first time he had titled her such.

She turned to the room at large. "Pike, you too?"

"Aye," he said. "To my surprise." He scowled. "I don't like magic."

"You've never shown an inclination toward it, no," she mused. "Where is High Priestess Thea and her priestesses?"

"I've got them in the next meeting room," Nath said. "She's insisting on speaking with you soon."

"Is there room for us all in there?" she asked. When there were several nods she continued on. "I am putting together a group of us who will travel to Earth. There have been more than this singular shared vision, and all point to what happens on Earth spreading to the Realms. I will not allow this world to succumb to darkness.

"I will lead this group," she proclaimed, to general disgruntled, negative reactions around the room. "I am the High Queen, and it is my duty to protect us. I cannot do that from here. I will lead the group," she repeated. "Rodan, Jen, Troy, and our Fae guest, Elias, are coming as well. Thea has apparently expressed she must join us. Who among you wish to?"

Every hand in the room shot up. Pike narrowed his eye at Rodan. "Don't you dare think of leaving me behind again."

Maeve tilted her head, then nodded. "Of course not."

It took a little time, but they decided both captains would stay behind and represent the monarchs who were leaving. That Nath and someone Lizette hand-picked named Corra would be coming along.

The High Priestess wanted to bring her entire retinue of followers, guards and priestesses both, but Maeve drew the line at a single guard or priestess companion. After much pouting, and what Rodan assured her through the bond was a genuine flirtation, Thea finally conceded and chose for herself a guard named Cedric.

It was decided Flora, the High Priestesses second in command, would be appointed a spot on the council left to run the Realms in Maeve's stead.

"We will also find a representative from each of the Realms," she declared. "Two third majority for any temporary legislation in my absence."

"Of course, your majesty," Lizette said, bowing low.

The festivities were just getting into the swing of things by the time Maeve and Rodan arrived, with a story for the people they spread throughout the ballrooms and feast halls. She knew the rumor would spread well to all the places they had set up for feasting and dancing among the people of Realmsgate.

All along the route she had walked to be crowned, there were pavilions bursting with fresh food and drink, with braziers helping warm the winter air. People would clear the floor for the many dances they would do in celebration of Maeve's coronation. Even though the shared vision had been awful and frightening, the citizenry were still, largely, celebratory.

But they still needed to know what would happen next.

The monarchs would perform one final quest to secure the safety of the Realms. They and several others would go to Earth and stop the darkness from spreading.

The rumor flowed like water. Maeve could sense the ease of anxieties, the worry finally leaving some of the people.

The best part of the evening, in her mind, was when she was stopped by a familiar-looking woman wearing a red and gold sari. She bowed so low she touched the ground at Maeve's feet. "You may not remember me," she said. "But you saved us. My son, my husband, we are all reunited now because of you."

"I remember you. You're Sitara." The last person she'd spoken to in-depth in Visantium before Alexa's poisoning, and all that had followed. "You made it." She squeezed the woman's hands. "And you're reunited with Arthur and Tevore?"

The woman stammered, "Y-yes, my Queen. My husband found me with our son, soon after the Basu family fell."

Rodan flinched a little, something too subtle for most to notice. Maeve changed the subject. "Rodan promised you something, and I will fulfill that promise."

Sitara flushed and looked away for a moment, then slid a step closer. "I have barely thought on it, your majesty. I would not know what to ask for."

Maeve patted her hand and assured her they would speak again later, then took Rodan's offered arm and continued on their circulation of the room.

It was well past midnight and closer to dawn before they slipped from the festivities, which were still in full swing. Elias assured them that he would be awake and around for any emergencies, his Fae abilities enough to put out many fires.

Rodan and Maeve both had been at making food and drink and other supplies desperately needed in the city and the castle over the last two days since their return. Even with their new and greater powers, it was a drain.

She was beyond exhausted, as was he, but still when the door slid closed behind them, bidding their guards good-night, Maeve found a renewed sense of energy the moment Rodan stripped his shirt and jacket from his chest.

"I am never going to tire of that sight," she sighed, watching muscles play under the skin of his back. She stepped up to him, reaching out to caress his shoulders. Rodan glanced over them at her, smile wide, teeth gleaming. She smiled back. "Are you going to stand there all night?" she asked. "Or are you going to ravish your Queen?"

"Oh, ravish indeed," Rodan said, sliding around her to start work at the laces keeping her dress tight around her. His fingers made quick work. "So long as my Queen wishes."

"She does," Maeve sighed, breathing deep as the constricting fabric parted and fell to the floor. More layers were shed in quick order, until she was naked, and he lifted her into his arms, carrying her to her bed.

She stretched on the black and gold coverlet, feeling a dozen kinds of decadent. Despite what they were about to undertake, and whatever faced them on Earth, she had this. Here and now, she belonged wholly to this world, and to the man climbing over her, and the planet on which it all rested.

Never, not even with the Nyx, had she felt such belonging.