“Deal.” She cupped her small hand around my cheek. “I love you, you know?”
“I love you too.” I leaned over and pressed my lips to hers. “Now about the crown?”
“Ugh, I’ll take the stupid crown.” She crawled up closer to me and pressed me back against the pillows.
I smiled up at her as she straddled my waist. “When?”
“Whenever it’s ready.” She leaned over and pressed her lips back to mine.
“I think we should get some rest. It’s been a long day.” She was tired, sad, and needing something from me, but I couldn’t tell what it was among the swirl of emotions inside of her.
“I need you to make me feel alive again, Tuck.” She leaned back a fraction and met my eye. “After today I just need to not think anymore. Make me feel alive again, Tuck. Please.”
How could I deny her anything? I sat up and wrapped my fingers in the hem of her shirt and slowly tugged it over her head. “For you . . . anything.”
Chapter 32
Zinnia
“When I said I’d take the crown as soon as it was ready, I didn’t mean tomorrow.” Being back in Hexia, the last free witch city in Evermore, was weirder than I expected. This was where my first encounter with Alataris went so wrong. Where my mother got taken and where I knew I had a thing for Tuck. This was where I ascended to my full powers as a queen witch and now I would be queen of them all.
Tucker walked up and stood behind me. His refection was next to mine in the mirror. “Do you remember this tent?”
I’d spent most of my life in big cities hiding from my father. It was astounding to me that Hexia was so preserved in its old ways. There were no hotels or fancy banquet rooms. Instead, I stood in a plain white canvas tent just outside of the same hall where I’d ascended to my powers and nearly killed every elder left in Hexia. I hadn’t, because of Tuck. He held up a necklace and dangled it next to me. “May I?”
It was the matching piece to the bracelet he’d given me to hide my soul mate mark from the world. The silver phoenix shape was covered in small rubies that gave it a glowing effect. It dangled at the end of a long cord-like chain that wove together beautifully. “You may.”
I held my hair out of his way. He placed the necklace around my neck and let his fingers linger on my skin as he fastened it. He leaned down and pressed a quick kiss to my skin. Heat rushed all over my body and up to my cheeks. “It’s beautiful.” I put my hand over it. “It matches this one.” I jiggled the bracelet around my wrist, hiding my soul mate mark.
“I think it’s time.” He reached down and unfastened the bracelet. It fell away from my wrist, revealing my soul mate mark that wrapped around my wrist in a never ending twist of infinity signs. Tuck unclasped the buckle around the thick cuff he wore around his wrist and placed it on his other hand.
“I agree. It’s beyond time.” We’d hidden our love for so long and now we were displaying it in the most public way possible. I was so tired of hiding, tired of running, tired of being scared. Tuck and I would not lose each other, now or ever. I held my arms out to the sides. “Besides, too much jewelry can ruin a dress.”
I never thought of myself as a royal figure, let alone a queen of an entire kingdom. And now here I was wearing a strapless black corset that laced up my back and synched in tight at my waist. The material shinned in the fire light. Instead of a full dress, I wore a pair of dress shorts and a detachable skirt that opened in the front, exposing my legs, and was held around my waist by a small black belt with a silver clasp. I finished out the look with thigh-high black boots. I walked over to the cot on the other side of the room and picked up the sword I’d gotten blessed in heavenly fire. I quickly buckled the holster around my waist.
Tucker too was decked in his best clothing. He wore a pair of loose-fitting leather pants, black boots, and a crimson V-neck shirt. I half expected him to show up in a tux, but that wouldn’t be Tuck. He smiled over at me. “You look beautiful. Are you nervous?”
To say I was nervous was an understatement. Butterflies with wings the size of saucers flapped in my stomach. Sweat gathered in the palms of my hands and I was pretty sure I had to pee . . . again. Outside the tent the citizens of Hexia buzzed with excitement up and down the streets. They hadn’t seen a royal crowned in hundreds of years. “Yeah, I’m super nervous. And, Tuck, there’s something I have to tell you.”
He walked over and sat on the bed with his hands outstretched behind him. “What’s that?”
“I can feel the magic still in my body. The dark magic, I mean. What if I put on the crown and that’s all that comes out? What if it amplifies the darkness I’m carrying?” I’d been worrying about it all morning. It’d been floating around in my head making more stressed than I cared to admit.
“I don’t think it will.” He looked so relaxed, so casual.
“How can you be so sure?” I wasn’t sure. My father ruled most of Evermore and his crown was part of the reason why. What if it latched on to darkness and that’s what amplified his powers?
“Because I think that’s just a temporary piece of you. I think the crown connects to whatever is rooted deepest in you. And deep down I know you’re good.” He pressed his hand over his heart and held it there. “I can sense it.”
I pressed my lips together, still feeling scared, unsure of myself, and not knowing if this was the right decision. But I would try to be a fair ruler, a fair queen. “Okay, let’s get this over with.”
The tent flaps opened, and an older woman walked in. She was tall and thin, with a head of gray hair that fell down to her shoulders. Deep wrinkles fanned out over her tan skin and her eyes were such a light shade of gray they were nearly white. She wore a thick white robe that fell from her shoulders all the way down to her feet. It covered her arms completely and draped away from her wrists in a bell shape. She gave me a little bow. “I am Sana. One of the elders here in Hexia.” She glanced down at my wrist, then at Tuck’s, yet she said nothing about it. “I will be the one conducting the crowning ceremony.”
I stepped forward and gave a small bow back. “It’s lovely to meet you.”
“Your Majesty, you no longer have to bow to anyone. Soon you will be Queen of the Witch Court.” She folded her hands in front of her.
“And my first act as the queen is for no one to bow to me.”
She blinked at me and stood frozen for a few minutes. “Unconventional, but if that is what you wish.”
“It is.” I was confident that I didn’t want to start off my reign with groveling.
“Very well.” She inclined her head and waved for me to follow her out of the tent. “Right this way.”
Tucker jumped to his feet. “If I may, I’d prefer to go ahead of her. Just to be cautious.”
Sana moved back and allowed him to pass her. She stepped out after him, then I followed. The streets fell silent as he walked out. The witches parted for him the moment he began to walk toward the ceremonial building. They backed away, looking at him like the royal that he was. In truth it hadn’t hit me until now that he was a prince, and now I would be a real live queen. I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. Would I be a good ruler? Would I survive the upcoming battle with Alataris long enough to rule? How would I help all these people? I swallowed down my nerves.
The building I had my ascending ceremony in was just as I remembered it. It was the only building in Hexia that reminded me of old roman architecture. On the outside it had a circular shape with giant pillars around it that ran from the ground to the roof. The front entrance was a wide archway made of dark gray marble. My heels clicked on the stairs as I walked up to the entrance. The double doors flung open for Tuck, and two elder witches stood off to the sides, holding them wide. They too were draped in thick white robes. The last time I was here I entered through the back and remained hidden in the hallway. Now I came in through the front door and into a long, plain hallway. The walls were a barren gray that matched the floor and ceiling.
On one side of the hall stood Tabi
in a bright yellow romper that had a low neck line that dropped all the way to her belly button. Though I knew the bottom was a pair of shorts, it looked like a skirt. A single gold chain wrapped around her neck and laid against her chest. She piled her wild curls into a puffy ball on the top of her head. Red lipstick lined her mouth and gold simmer powder made her skin glow a warm mocha. I motioned to her outfit. “Wow.”
She put her hands on her hips. “We’ve come a long way from ball gowns.” She made a show of looking me up and down. “Haven’t we?”
Beside her Nova stood with her black gloves covering her from fingertip to elbow. She wore a tight black crop top that exposed her shoulders and wrapped around her upper arms. It matched perfectly with the high-waisted black maxi skirt that fell all the way to the ground. Her white blond hair was arranged in a French braid down the center of her head. Her makeup was dark and severe around her eyes, giving them an alien effect. “I rather like that we’ve decided to be ourselves instead of the pretty princesses they expect.”
I smiled and nodded in agreement. “I do too.”
On the other side of the hall Serrina waited for me to face her. With her movie star good looks and hard attitude she rocked the hell out of her red jumpsuit. It covered her from neck to ankle. Even her arms were sheathed in red. But the thing clung to her body like a second skin. Her blond-streaked hair was piled into a high ponytail that curled at the ends. Her lips were stained a bright red that matched the suit perfectly. “Good luck.”
“Thank you. I feel like I’m going to need it.” I sucked in a deep breath and blew it out.
“You don’t need anything.” Ophelia stepped next to me in all her retro glory. She wore a short black tulle skirt, complete with a studded leather jacket. Her hair was in a half up half down style that was sleek and stylish. “You got this.”
I turned to them. “The confidence you all have in me is humbling. I just hope I do it justice. I’ve always wanted us all to rule together and no crown, not even the one I’m about to get, will change that.”
Sana walked up beside me. “Your Majesty, it’s time.”
I sucked in a shuddering breath and squeezed my hands into fists at my side. This is it. “I’m ready.”
The doors at the end of the hall opened wide and a trumpet blared to life. The applause was deafening as I walked through the door with the other queens flanking my sides. Tuck made his way down the aisle, past the rows of elders dressed in white, past the citizens of Hexia who sat behind them. A red plush carpet cushioned my every step. Golden streamers rained down on me, catching in my hair. I didn’t know whether to run or be flattered. All around me I felt the powers of the witches, some much stronger than others, but each glowed a different color, felt different to my siphon witch senses. The room hummed with excitement, yet all I could feel was the pressure to do things right. The pressure not to end up like my father.
I climbed the three stairs to where a golden throne sat in the center of the stage. This can’t be real. When I turned and faced the crowd, they all fell silent.
Sana, the elder, walked up beside me and motioned to the throne. “Your throne, Queen Zinnia.”
Queen Zinnia? Crap, this is happening. I dropped down into the chair. My butt was barely on the red cushioned seat. My back was ramrod straight and I wrung my fingers together in my lap.
Tuck quietly moved to stand next to me. He whispered, “Breathe and smile. Just breathe and smile.”
I sucked in a deep breath and flattened my hands over my lap. I tried my best to smile, but it felt fake. My nerves wouldn’t let me relax enough for it to be sincere. People clapped and cheered, every one of them had a smile on their faces. Like I’d already won the war. I had so far to go, so much more to do before they should cheer me on like this. Perhaps I offered them hope for a better future. No matter the case, I would do my best.
Sana lifted her hands, motioning for the crowd to quiet down. The noise lowered to a dull hum. “On this day we mark the reign of a new monarch among our people. A new beginning at life. Zinnia Heart, will you solemnly swear to uphold the laws we hold dear? To protect the weak, defend the sick, and preserve life in all its forms?”
I glanced at Tuck and he gave me a single nod. I swallowed my nerves. “I swear.”
“The people of Hexia are entrusting you, the Queen Siphon Witch, with our well-being and our lives. Do you swear to protect this realm and all others from the evil that would befall it?”
“I swear it.”
“Do you renounce the dictatorship of High King Alataris and swear to serve the people of Evermore to their benefit not your own?”
At the mention of my father’s name the crowd sucked in a collective breath. Their gazes burned into me as they waited for my answer. They didn’t know me, yet they were taking a chance. Even though I was my father’s daughter, they still had faith things would be better under my rule. Their belief humbled me. “I swear.”
Sana lifted her right hand and the crowd all followed. Their palms glowed a brilliant rainbow of colors. The colors my siphon powers allowed me to see in each of them. Sana turned toward me. “We, the people of Hexia, entrust the realm to you, Zinnia Heart, Queen of Essence, our Queen Siphon Witch. Receive the blessing of our magic. May you take it with you, let it guide you in our future. May you use it to protect Evermore and all who inhabit it.”
I laid my arms over the armrests, with my palms facing up. I closed my eyes and let my magic flow over my body. When I opened them back up, I was covered in head to toe swirling magic. “I accept the responsibility you have chosen to bestow upon me.”
A rainbow of magic erupted from the crowd, each of them gifting me with a mall piece of themselves. I let it seep into my body. I didn’t take or pull it in. Instead, I let it cover me all on its own. Serrina, Tabi, Nova, and Ophelia climbed up onto the stage. Serrina stood in the middle holding a red velvet pillow. On top of the pillow sat a silver crown. Jagged points stood straight up from it. It wasn’t the pretty princess crown I expected. No, this was better. It was gothic. Clear crystals shined like ice in between each of the points. The silver wasn’t polished to a pristine shine. But in looked like it’d been worked multiple times. It wasn’t shiny or made for a kid movie where animals responded to singing. It was made just for me.
Sana walked up to the crown and wrapped her hands around it. She turned toward me. “I crown you, Zinnia Heart, Queen of the Witch Court.”
As she lowered the crown onto my head, I felt my powers reaching for it, seeking it. Like vines they whipped up and around the crown. She dropped it into place and my body thrummed adrenaline. My heart raced in my chest and I felt my magic fuse to the crown. It became one with me. The siphon power I’d grown so used to now felt like magical radar. I could feel everyone’s powers for blocks and blocks. The small gifts of magic the town bestowed on me flowed through my body and blended seamlessly with my powers, becoming my own magic.
I levitated off the ground, but I didn’t panic. Instead, I spread my arms wide and smiled down at my people. “Thank you for trusting me.”
The crowd erupted into fits of cheers. Magic shot up to the ceiling like fireworks. Streamers of all shapes and colors rained down. I drifted back down to the throne and looked over at the one person who would always have my back . . . Tuck.
He stood clapping his hands with a wide smile on his face. He inclined his head. “I am so happy for you. And I know this is what your mother would’ve wanted for you. For Evermore.”
I wish you could’ve been here, Mom . . .
Chapter 33
Tucker
The streets of Hexia were a tornado of celebrations. Music blasted from all angles and magic exploded overhead, putting on a display of fireworks I hadn’t seen since I was a child. Though this city was preserved in time, where the citizens still wore cloaks of times passed and clothing I’d only seen in books, they knew how to party. Plates and dishes dripping with food were passed up and down the main street. Children ran and pl
ayed with one another. Torches burned bright, illuminating the night. In the distance the bright colors of the elemental fields reflected off the barrier around Hexia. Red from the fire fields, blue from water, yellow from wind, and green from the earth area.
Zinnia dropped down onto the chair closest to me. A lazy smile played on her lips. “What a night, huh?”
She’d lasted almost a whole hour in those thigh-high heels. Now she wore her combat boots and the dress from the coronation. The crown was still perched on her head and even though she leaned her elbows on the table and slouched over she still looked every bit the royal I always knew she was. I nodded. “It really was.”
She motioned to the party around us. “I didn’t know witches could party so hard.”
Beckett took the chair across from us. “So about this idea I have in the battle against Alataris.”
“On second thought, they really can’t.” Zinnia sat up straight and sighed. “Okay, let’s hear it.”
The others took the remaining seats around us and there in the middle of a party we were talking battle strategy. Grayson was the last to show up. He held a plate dripping with food and a goblet filled to the rim with a dark red liquid. “You lot look like a group of sad sods. In case you haven’t noticed there is a party going on.”
A chuckle rumbled in my chest. “We noticed.”
Ophelia opened the lapels of her jacket. “War waits for no man . . . or badass women in our case.” She pulled a handful of vials out of her inner pocket and dropped them on the table.
Zinnia grabbed one and held it up to her face, examining it. “Seriously, do you just walk around with a potions lab in you jacket?”
Ophelia grabbed the vial out of her hand and placed in back on the table. “A failure to plan is a plan to fail.”
“Do you actually believe that crap?” Zinnia arched her eyebrow at her sister.
Wicked Queen (The Royals: Witch Court Book 5) Page 17
