71. Chapter 71

Chapter seventy-one

" D o you remember what you're supposed to do?" Rea asked, The two of them stood in the hall outside the room that held the opening to the balcony Haven was moments away from stepping out onto to be crowned queen.

"Yes I remember." Haven nodded.

They had caught sight of the priest who would be performing the ceremony resting on a chair inside the room through the open doorway. Haven was thankful it was not the same priest that Niks father had dragged out into the forest not that long ago. Haven could hear the crowds gathered around outside the castle, there was lots of shouting and cheering. Even without her advanced hearing abilities she probably would have been able to hear them. All they were waiting on now was Roman, who was supposed to show five minutes ago.

"Good. I'm going to run through things one more time so we have everything straight." Astrea told her. Haven nodded again, listening to Rea tell her exactly how things would be happening.

"First you will step out onto the balcony facing the crowd, remember we are on the highest floor so don't let the height shock you. Next, the priest will call for silence. Then after everyone has quieted he will recite an ancient fae blessing meant to protect whoever has the crown placed on their head. After he recites his blessing, he will turn and remove the crown from where it is resting on a pillar in a velvet lined box. You will turn to him and kneel, he will repeat a few more words and place the crown on your head, thus anointing you as queen. After he does that, you need to stand up and walk to the edge of the terrace and wave to the crowd.

If all goes correctly then they will cheer for you. The final thing that will happen is the priest handing you a ceremonial dagger you will use to cut the palm of your hand symbolizing your willingness to bleed for your people. After this is done the priest will hand you a cloth to wrap up your hand and then you are free to return inside where Roman and I will be waiting for you."

Astrea finished reciting the events that were about to take place and glanced around, looking for their friend. Haven could tell she was also listening for him based on the slight tilt of her head. If he didn't show soon, they'd have to start without him.

It wasn't impossible he had gotten lost but it was unlikely. They were currently on the top floor, which was dedicated entirely to royalty. With the exception of the door to the room they were using for balcony access, all the doors on this floor were closed and locked so Roman shouldn't have a hard time finding them.

Haven allowed herself to get distracted for a moment, this was where she would be staying after the ceremony was complete. In fact, workers were probably packing up her current room this very minute. She would miss her little bedroom but was looking forward to exploring the vast halls and rooms on this floor.

For a moment, Haven lost herself in a memory of that room, one of her very favorites. Her and Niks first time together, their only time together. She had been doing as much as she could not to think about how much she was missing Nik while she waited for news from the search party she and Delroy had sent after him, telling herself that no news was good news.

No matter how hard she tried, he kept popping up in her head, usually at the most inopportune times. Like when she was training with Tasha, trying to fall asleep and apparently, while she anxiously waited to be crowned queen. The thought of him not being here to see how far she had come saddened her so Haven did her best to cast it out, she could bring those thoughts back out when she was alone and had a moment to truly miss him.

Havens thoughts were interrupted when she thought she heard footsteps down the hall. Listening as intently as she could with the crowds filling her ears, she couldn't decide if what she had heard was actually footsteps or the wind or even a very large rat. After all, it had been over a century since anyone had been up here.

The ceremony, while a big deal wasn't the thing she was most nervous about, Roman not showing up was. Just like her and Rea, the two of them had been through a lot and she wanted him here. The thought that he might not show hurt more than she was willing to admit. And then there were the intrusive thoughts. The ones that kept whispering things like, what if he wasn't late of his own volition, what if he had been kidnapped or was lying hurt in a pool of his own blood somewhere.

Haven knew thoughts that began with, what if , usually never led anywhere good. In fact, they were hardly ever even close to being right but that didn't mean her heart wasn't stuttering and her hand wasn't trembling because of her friend's absence.

She had just started to pick at the lace on her sleeves, earning a nervous scowl from Astrea when actual footsteps sounded down the hall.

"Sorry, sorry!" Roman called. Jogging to where the pair was standing, he apologized twice more before taking in Havens dress and what was likely a very worried look on her face.

"I'm sorry H, I ran into someone and couldn't get away." Roman rested his hand on her shoulder, trying to comfort her.

"Who'd you run into?" Haven asked

"It's not important, not right now. I'll tell you later, promise."

Haven chose to believe her friend, letting him tentatively wrap his arms around her in a comforting hug.

"Thank you" She whispered as he released her. She already felt much better.

"Does this mean we're alright?" Roman asked

"I don't know," Haven answered honestly, "But we will be."

"I'll take it." Roman smiled, "You look amazing. Now let's get you crowned."

***

The entire coronation had been a blur. If it weren't for the sting of the cut on her palm and the weight of the crown on her head, Haven might not have believed it actually happened. The boom of the largest crowd Haven had ever seen had been deafening, the deep timbre of the priest's voice had been unsettling and the power behind her actions had been captivating.

When Haven had raised her bloody hand to the crowd, she let loose a raw wave of power that earned her even more cheers. In that moment it seemed like everyone in the kingdom was ecstatic that she was finally taking her crown. At least, everyone that had been there. Haven wasn't foolish or naive enough to think that everyone was happy with the shift of power. There had to be followers loyal to the crown regent and Haven had a feeling it wouldn't be long before she came face to face with them.

Haven was currently taking a moment for herself in one of the supply closets on the second floor before heading out to rejoin the celebrations she was sure would carry into the night. If she was being honest, Haven would call what she was doing hiding rather than taking a moment for herself but it was only her in the closet so no one was around to hear her lie.

Thoughts of the last time she'd been in a closet similar to this one surfaced, tugging on Havens heart. Ever since Niks disappearance, there had been a weight on her chest Haven wasn't sure what to do with. Haven wanted, more than anything to be able to speak with Nik, to even see him. While she may try to deny it, constantly playing in the back of her mind were thoughts of him, thoughts that she may never get to see Nik again. Her heart hurt but she had to have hope, hope that one day those search parties would find something, anything that told Haven Nik was alright .

The walls vibrated with the sounds and echoes of people singing and laughing and dancing in the great hall below her. An official ball had begun not long after her coronation with foreign dignitaries and a few royals from every kingdom in the fae realm. Almost every lord from Dralia and most of Shastons villages were dancing and chatting under her feet. They had all been here to watch her being crowned but tomorrow would be when she really interacted with them.

A knock sounded at the door, she assumed it was Astrea since her friend was likely the only one who could have found Haven hiding out in a closet. Both Rea and Roman had separated from Haven not long after the coronation, both for different reasons. Astrea had left to go and find the two of them some snacks and refreshments and Roman had left to greet his family members that sailed in for the coronation. Romans departure had been a reminder that he'd be leaving soon to head back to his home kingdom. Haven wasn't ready for him to leave and she suspected that he wasn't quite ready to leave either but unfortunately he didn't have much of a choice. His family needed him.

The knock sounded again and Haven knew instantly that it was not Astrea. She would never knock again, she'd just come inside.

Haven twisted the door knob, peering out into the hall. She wasn't sure who she expected to be on the other side of the door but it certainly wasn't the small woman standing there.

"It's good to see you again"

Haven smiled, slightly shocked but nonetheless excited,

"It's nice to see you too Binah"

Binah stepped into the storage closet and quietly shut the door behind her .

"Well this is a surprise" Haven commented

The older woman turned to face Haven. A warm smile gracing her features,

"Yes but a pleasant one I hope?"

"Of course!" Haven exclaimed, throwing her arms around Binah, "I honestly didn't know if I'd see you again so this is definitely a welcome surprise."

The older fae laughed and tightened her arms around Haven,

"I'm glad you feel that way but I must admit, I did not come here just to see you get crowned."

Haven pulled back, "What's going on? Is everything alright?"

"Of course my dear, I just came to bring you this."

Binah pulled something from the folds of her skirts. Upon closer inspection Haven realized it was a small envelope. Taking it from Binahs outstretched hand she asked,

"What's this?"

"You'll see" The older woman smirked.

Haven began to open up the letter when Binah stopped her with a hand on her wrist,

"Not yet. Wait until you are alone after the festivities have died down. Trust me when I say that you'll likely need time to process the contents."

Binahs words only made Haven want to rip open the envelope that much more but after taking in the serious look on the older faes face, she chose to listen. Tucking what appeared to be a letter into her dress pockets Haven asked,

"How long are you here for?"

"Not long," Binah sighed, "Right now is likely the last time you'll see me for a while. My garden needs me. "

Haven didn't understand why Binah had to rush back home to her garden but she knew better than to question her. Instead she chose to wrap Binah in another hug.

Binah chuckled, "You better get back to the festivities before someone notices you are missing."

Haven pulled back, "I know. I just needed a moment to myself."

"I understand. I'll leave you to it."

Before Haven could stop the woman, Binah whisked herself back out the door, not making a sound as she did. Taking a deep breath, Haven pulled open the door and stepped out into the hall. Binah was nowhere to be found but she did find someone in the hall she hadn't expected to see.

"Hello your majesty" Delroy bowed.

"None of that nonsense Delroy, you know you don't need to bow to me. What are you doing here?"

Delroy smirked, "From now on you will have a guard escorting you wherever you are unless you are in a meeting with the council or have retired for the night. Even then, you will have a guard posted outside your chambers."

Like hell was she going to have some random guy following her around everywhere. Haven opened her mouth to argue but Delroy stopped her before she could,

"Unfortunately you do not have a choice in this. Especially in the beginning. It is law that our rulers be protected at all times. After some time you will likely be able to get the council to agree to let you go places by yourself but until then, you get a guard at all times."

Haven huffed, "I'm the queen now, can't I just change that rule?"

Delroy snickered, "That's not how it works."

Seeing she was not going to get anywhere with him, Haven walked away from Delroy. She'd just have to corner some of the council members and convince them she could handle herself.

Delroy was two steps behind her the entire way to the grand hall, she could already tell that this was not going to work out. At least right now it was Delroy, what happened when it was some random guard she didn't know? What if they were a worse asshole than Delroy had been when Haven had first met him? What if they were the opposite and constantly wanted to talk to her? Worst of all, what if they never quit that annoying bowing? Haven shuddered at the thought.

Pushing those thoughts from her mind as the voices from the great hall became louder, Haven straightened her shoulders and steeled herself. Stopping at the entrance door of the grand hall, she reminded herself that this was very real now and any number of enemies could be on the other side of that door wearing smiles or scowls. There could be a spy for the crown regent or any other enemy she was not so blissfully unaware of. Someone in that room could be plotting to kill her this very minute and she'd never be able to tell.