The buzz increased, as did the shifting.

“My queen and your queen, Farah, and I will be officially coronated after we rout this wickedness from our land. But in the meantime, we will serve you faithfully and tirelessly in all things, not simply this current blight that threatens our people.”

The crowd took in their new king, his queen (incidentally, wearing a lovely forest-green gown with gold trim) with her arm dressed close to her chest standing at his right side. Their lovely Silence, queen of another land, standing at his left, her impressive husband at her side. Cassius of Airen, Elena of the Nadirii positioned to the King of Firenze’s side. The King and Queen of Mar-el next to their new queen. Important personages from another continent altogether gathered as husband and wife on either side.

Their old king stood behind True looking as normal.

Hazy, confused and bored (all at once).

Even so, with all that was said, and all that now was, it was the most impressive thing any of them had ever seen.

And most of them had stood on the wedding parade route just the day before.

“We have suffered an egregious blow,” True declared. “I mourn my mother as my mother and as my queen. Her loss will be felt, for my children will never know her. Her loss will be felt, for I cannot turn to her for what she has given me the whole of my life, great wisdom and astute guidance. And her loss will be felt simply because I loved her.”

The crowd again grew silent and morose.

“But we are Dellish,” True stated, his voice rising. “We are strong, and we are proud. No matter what, we carry on. And we will carry on!”

A bubble of pride started growing amongst the spectators.

“And as such, I will end with sharing from the heart that it is my deep honor to be your king. It is my destiny, but mostly it is my privilege. And because of this, you have my vow now until my last breath, I will serve you fair. And I will serve you…” He drew in a visible breath and then bellowed, “True!”

A shout began at the front and rose in strength and volume as it exploded to the back.

And it did not die down as True, their king, bowed to them.

The crowd grew frenzied when he turned to his new bride and touched his lips to hers only for him to pull back and her beautiful face, still tipped to his, warmed with her smile.

King True then nodded to his people, turned, tucked his queen’s hand in his elbow…

And they strolled from the royal balcony.

91

The End

Princess Serena

Stand Hall, Birchlire Castle, Notting Thicket

WODELL

“Of course that would be your decision,” she hissed at her sister.

Elena appeared wounded.

But fuck that.

She was going with Cassius to Airen?