Chapters (49)
- COVER
- DEDICATION
- MAP
- ONE
- TWO
- THREE
- FOUR
- FIVE
- SIX
- SEVEN
- EIGHT
- NINE
- TEN
- ELEVEN
- TWELVE
- THIRTEEN
- FOURTEEN
- FIFTEEN
- SIXTEEN
- SEVENTEEN
- EIGHTEEN
- NINETEEN
- TWENTY
- TWENTY-ONE
- TWENTY-TWO
- TWENTY-THREE
- TWENTY-FOUR
- TWENTY-FIVE
- TWENTY-SIX
- TWENTY-SEVEN
- TWENTY-EIGHT
- TWENTY-NINE
- THIRTY
- THIRTY-ONE
- THIRTY-TWO
- THIRTY-THREE
- THIRTY-FOUR
- THIRTY-FIVE
- THIRTY-SIX
- THIRTY-SEVEN
- THIRTY-EIGHT
- THIRTY-NINE
- FORTY
- FORTY-ONE
- FORTY-TWO
- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
- DISCOVER MORE
- ABOUT THE AUTHOR
- PRAISE FOR
Renzo put his hand over Serina’s on Nomi’s shoulder. “There are a lot of people who should be here today. That’s why you’re doing this. To honor them, and to do better going forward.”
They all shared shaky smiles. A little more of Serina’s serenity returned.
Nomi stood up, her giant skirt billowing out. “Okay, now I’m ready.”
Serina and Renzo followed her out of the room to where Malachi waited. When he saw Nomi, dawn broke across his face. Serina cast a sidelong glance at Renzo. He grinned back at her.
“Today, the people of Viridia will meet their queen,” Malachi said proudly, taking Nomi’s arm.
But as much joy and hope filled this room, there was answering darkness outside it.
They all knew the battle for Viridia’s soul was just beginning.
Serina imagined what she would see when they entered the ballroom, the suspicion and disgust the magistrates wouldn’t be able to hide. Even with Malachi and Nomi working together, there were sure to be challenges. Threats.
That’s why Serina was happy for her dagger, for Val and Renzo, and for the Queen’s Graces. Between them all, they would keep Nomi safe.
Serina, Val, Renzo, Malachi, and Nomi walked through the quiet corridors to the gallery just outside the ballroom. Ines stood before the big carved wooden doors in a shining violet gown, her back straight and her eyes full of pride. Anika, Mirror, Maris, Helena, and several other women from Mount Ruin stood with her, as graceful in their colorful dresses as their hidden weapons were deadly. Beyond the doors, their guests waited.
Val and Renzo took their places at the head of the procession as Ines’s escorts. Serina and the rest of the Queen’s Graces fell in line behind them. Serina twisted to catch a glimpse of Malachi and Nomi, their arms linked, their chins high, waiting to enter last.
For a moment, everyone stood in silence, the only sound the faint rumble of voices from the other room.
Then, at Malachi’s nod, the liveried sentries swung the double doors wide.
Serina laughed softly to herself as she entered the brilliant light of the ballroom, flanked by Anika and Mirror. Somehow, she had become a Grace after all.
FORTY-TWO
NOMI
NOMI PAUSED IN the doorway of the ballroom. Musicians were playing a quiet, lilting song, and the chandeliers tinkled in the breeze from the open terrace. The room was full to bursting. Everyone of importance had come to hear Malachi’s announcement.
Nearly every courtier and magistrate in the room was staring at Nomi.
Two rows of soldiers formed a clear route across the dance floor to a raised platform adorned with flowers at the far side. Upon the dais sat two chairs instead of one.