“Hattie?” She lifted her gaze to meet mine. “I’m sorry if having Allie and Gwen help with my dresses has offended you. That was never my intention. I hope you will still be here and do my hair and makeup for my coronation.” The word coronation caused a bitter film to encase my tongue.
“It’s no issue.” Hattie wrung her bark-like hands together. “It’s just I’ve prepared for this day for years. I wanted it to be perfect for Meghan’s daughter.”
“I’m sorry I ruined your plans.” I grasped her hands in mine. “Disappointing others is what I do best it seems.”
“No, Princess.” Hattie pulled back and fell to her knees. “You have every right to change the day to your liking. I’m here to do your bidding and have failed you with my own pride.”
“Hattie, don’t bow to me.” I pulled her small stature up to standing and held her in place. “Never bow to me. I don’t deserve your loyalty.” I dropped her hands and scrubbed my face, missing her gaping mouth. “How do they expect me to do this? I’m not the person for this job. How am I supposed to lead others if I can’t even lead myself? You and your people deserve so much better.”
Hattie gripped my shoulders, shaking them and forcing me to look at her. “You are already a leader, Princess. You put others above yourself and treat those less than you as an equal. No royal has ever told me not to bow to them, only you.” Small watery crystals dropped to her cheeks. “You humble yourself to nothing and that makes you the best person for the Seelie Court to follow.”
“I don’t want to fail.” I dropped my mask and let her see the emotions I locked away.
“Mistakes will always be made but trust your gut and lean on others. Your mother and aunt paved the way for you. Now, it’s time for you to pick up the mantle, follow in their footsteps, and declare that you are the rightful heir.” Hattie patted my cheek, the raised bumps on her dark skin almost chafed the surface. “And I will serve you until my last breath and will follow you wherever you decide you belong. For today, you are already my Queen.” Hattie pulled the tray cover off and pointed to my food. The metallic aroma of medium steak reached my nose as I sat with my eyes as wide as saucers at her admission. “Your friends said you like steak. We don’t have cattle, but our Colchis bulls are a close substitute. I will let you enjoy your breakfast and help the girls bring in your first dress.”
Hattie’s form evaporated before I had a chance to rescind her declaration. No matter how much I wanted to flee, I promised I’d give this my best shot and hiding under my blankets having a pity party was doing the opposite. I straightened my shoulders and grabbed my cutlery and examined my food. What had Hattie called this? Colchis bulls? She pronounced it as kohl-chus and I hoped I had it right. It resembled steak so I cut into it, raising a piece to sniff before taking a bite. Flavors like steak popped against my taste buds, but there was an underlying sweetness, driving me to take another bite. In a matter of minutes, my food was gone, and I sipped my juice which ended up tasting like mangos and refreshed my palate.
I sat the tray next to my bed and eyed the door, standing with my hands on my hips and pursed lips. No more sad, sad songs for me. Today, I wasn’t being forced into my destiny, but I was choosing it.
Chapter 7
N O SOONER THAN I’D made my decision, the girls descended in a trail of fabric, jewels, and shoes. Hattie prepared a milk and honey bath for me and promised the pool wouldn’t lull me to sleep again as she added yellow petals to the water, vowing creamy softness for my skin. Once I was finished, I was ushered into a robe and marched to my vanity. Hattie’s eyes closed and Allie, Gwen, and I watched her brownie magic dry my damp hair, curling the ends into ringlets. The strands at the crown of my head lifted, the volume defying gravity. Others twisted and weaved into a delicate sweeping chignon at the base of my neck.
Next, the girls watched with studious intent as Hattie created a masterpiece on my face with light brush strokes. My cheekbones were highlighted in a metallic blue, curving up my temples and over my brows. My violet irises popped with hints of gold and silver blended over my lids until it reached a feminine subtleness instead of looking clown-like and Hattie slid a matching blue lipstick across my full lips, dusting the area under my cupid’s bow with the same gold and silver shimmer. She traced a winged line against my lashes, and they grew twice their length after multiple coats of black mascara. Then, she painted my fingernails with a translucent gel that instantly dried. Hattie finished her work by securing small golden suns in my lobes and fastening the Seelie sunburst necklace Aunt Mauve had given me around my neck.
“Now you look like a fairy princess!” Allie jumped in place and cupped in hands together under her chin. “Hattie, you’re a genius!”
“Kitra…you’re beautiful.” Gwen reached out to touch my cheek, but Allie swatted her fingers away.
My bedroom door opened, and Aunt Mauve glided in wearing a gold dress with a sheer overlay covered in outlines of a sun. Her makeup was done similarly to mine in tones matching her attire, but her hair was curled with strands of metals peeking through as highlights. A tall crown with fourteen points encrusted in thousands of tiny white crystals sat on her head. She looked every bit of a fairy Queen.
All three of my companions dipped in the custom curtsy reserved for a member of the royal family.
“Kitra. Sweetheart.” Aunt Mauve closed the distance between us and pulled me into her arms. I thought she was going to break my rib cage, but she finally released me, and I saw the moisture gathering in the corners of her eyes. “You’re stunning.”
“Thank you.” I patted Hattie’s shoulder. “Hattie did all the work.”
Aunt Mauve congratulated Hattie and turned to Allie and Gwen. “I wanted to be here when she saw the dress.”
“We were getting ready to show her.” Gwen mimicked Allie’s earlier movements when Hattie finished applying my face and jewelry.
Allie and Gwen moved as one to the armoire and slid a dress I could only ever dream into existence from its interior. Gwen began to unbutton the back of the bodice and Allie helped me step into it. The skirt flared around my hips in royal blue velvet with golden stars ringing my waist. It skimmed the tops of my toes and a short train pooled on the floor. The strapless silk bodice dipped into a low “v,” ending at the top ray coming from the amber sun, resting against my breastbone. Gold flecks peppered the material, lengthening the V-shape to the ring of stars.
“This is gorgeous.” My fingers trailed the fabric afraid of ruining it with a heavier touch. “It’s perfect.”
“It’s not complete without this.” Gwen wrapped a sheer cloak the same color as the dress with matching honeyed diamond suns evenly placed on the surface and fastened it just below my collar bone. “Now it’s perfect.”
Allie held out a pair of royal blue pumps for me to slip on. Was the girl trying to kill me? I needed the entire fae world to see me break an ankle and fall to my death during a ceremony. I bared my teeth at my friend’s mischievous grin and finished out my ensemble.
“Are you ready?” Aunt Mauve held her elbow out to me.
“As much as I’ll ever be.” I entwined my arm in hers and followed her out of the castle.
Yesterday in our preparations, she told me we’d ride in a carriage to the center of the village where a stage with the Seelie Court throne had been erected overnight. I still didn’t believe things on this grand scheme were possible in one day, but Faerie proved me wrong at every turn. It made the impossible possible when it shouldn’t have been and left the hair at my nape standing on end.
The carriage we were taking was right out of a fairytale. An enormous circular glass globe was covered in olive filigree vines, climbing to the royal blue flowers sprouting from the top. Jade metal leaves cradled the bottom of the globe and connected to the towering wheels reaching over my head. A few of the leaves were detached from the main vines and we used them to step inside to the plush ivory seats. The carriage was attached to a team of six white horses. I expected to
see footmen standing on the back but turned to find Caden and Ryn holding onto metal grips as Ryn tapped the top and the carriage jolted into motion.
Aunt Mauve said the parade was tradition for any coronation, allowing the people to be a part of the celebration. My first impulse was to gape at the sea of faces right outside of the palace gates, but we’d practiced what I referred to as a pageant wave and my hand went up on instinct as our team’s hooves pounded into the dirt, throwing up dusty puffs. My leg bounced tapping out a tune against the floor and Aunt Mauve placed her palm on my knee to still the motion. We were all on high alert after Moonbeam shared the whispers from town and my uncle and Lucian worked with my Guardians and the Royal guard to come up with several emergency exit plans if the rumored unease became apparent. All of our movements were calculated and rehearsed but witnessing the Seelie flags waving in front of elated faces I questioned our jump to conclusions.
The carriage wove around the village, following the route Lucian and Uncle Kalen approved last night and in no time, we halted to the cheering of the crowd in front of the newly assembled wooden stage dotted with more Seelie flags and an elderly man in royal blue robes with a sun shaped mitre on his head. My aunt told me that the Seelie historian performed the coronation, wearing ceremonial garb for the pomp and circumstance and for the crowd.
“Remember,” she clasped my hand and squeezed three times. “Your answers are a promise to govern our people to the best of your ability, uphold the Seelie Union, and follow the laws of the Creator. You can do this.”
I gave a small nod as the Caden helped me from the carriage while Ryn attended to the Queen. Silent encouragement passed from Caden as he brought my knuckles up to his lips and I held my head high. The moment passed in a blur and I walked on autopilot to the seven wooden stairs, following Aunt Mauve. The cacophony of cheers and well wishes drowned out to a dull roar almost as if I was under water and my vision tunneled to the elaborate violet spiked crystal throne which sat in the center of the platform. Dannick, Bretton and other guards dressed in full armor formed a single line at the back of the stage and when Aunt Mauve and I reached the top of the stairs, they pulled their swords and held them high above their heads. Bretton’s amber eyes found mine and his head dipped in a bow and the hand not saluting his weapon fisted over his heart, giving me the same respect, he showed Ryn and the breath I’d been holding released in a whoosh. If I could get Bretton’s respect, then today was doable.
My Guardians, Uncle, Lucian, and the others stood to the left out of the way of the ceremony. Uncle Kalen’s gaze glittered with unshed tears as his smile widened, showing his molars and I returned his smile while I turned to face the crowd. The historian walked forward, and I noticed white tufts of hair sticking out under his mitre. I knew fae aged more slowly than other Supernaturals, but this man had to be ancient to look as old as he did. Deep lines creviced his forehead three times and his fleshy cheeks sagged, akin to a bulldog. His feeble hands rose, and the crowd quieted.
“Today is momentous for our kingdom.” His graveled whisper projected over the people, amplified for all to hear. “Our princess has come home.” I was sure I heard his bones creak when he peered at me with milky eyes. “Are you ready to take your oath and ascend to your rightful place as heir to the Seelie Court?”
“I am.” My shoulders were ramrod straight as I glanced out at the people, seeing many clutching flowers and flags.
The historian ambled to an opened trunk I hadn’t noticed near my aunt’s side and pulled out a heavy lemon, velvet robe. “This is the robe of the Creator’s sacred righteousness. Do you, Kitra Noel Frost, promise to uphold the laws set forth by the Creator and rule under His great wisdom as he has set forth for you to do?”
“This, I promise so to do.” The historian wrapped the robe over my shoulders and escorted me to the throne. I sat like Aunt Mauve had instructed me yesterday.
Next he brought forth a silver orb with three parallel rows of rubies and a long silver scepter with an enormous sapphire at the top. “This is the orb of justice.” He placed it in my outstretched right hand. “And the scepter of mercy.” I relaxed my grip on the rod so my fingers wouldn’t lose their color. “Do you, Kitra Noel Frost, promise to uphold the Seelie Union and rule with justice, mercy, grace given by the Creator and use them in all of your judgments?”
“I solemnly promise to do as such.” He took the orb and scepter back to the trunk and approached me with a crown made of twenty-two amethyst crystals, eleven which were three inches tall and the other eleven were half that size.
“Let it be known today.” He raised the crown before the crowd. “That Kitra Noel Frost is hereby Her Royal Highness, Lady Kitra, the Sunlight Princess. Long may she live!” He sat the crown atop my head, and I marveled at how light it was as I stood.
“Before the Creator and you, the Seelie people, all the things I promised today, I will hereby perform and keep.” Thunderous applause and cheers rumbled the platform as flowers arced to my feet. The historian removed the robe to chants of “long live the Sunlight Princess” and Aunt Mauve moved to my side, wrapping my hand around her elbow.
We moved down the steps back to the carriage and I sagged in my seat. Step one of three down. A piercing whistle ruptured the air and the crowd parted for our moving entourage. Once we were safely behind the palace gates, Caden leapt from his post, scooping me from the carriage.
“I’m proud of you, Kitten.” I slid to the ground and rested my palms on his forearms.
“Because I didn’t die in these ankle breakers?” I lifted the hem of my dress to show off my blue pumps.
“Well that is an accomplishment.” I smacked his chest and his chuckle vibrated my palm. “No. You stepped out of your comfort zone and I knew you could do this with more poise and grace than anyone else. I knew you could do it.”
“Thank you.” Butterflies from his nearness bumped against my stomach and I watched him lick his lips. I knew I was struggling with my feelings for him and Ryn, but at this moment I wanted nothing more than to close the distance between us.
“Not right now, love birds.” Allie snatched me away, marching me to the palace entrance. “We have to get in dress number two before the ball guests arrive. Then, you can lock lips.”
“The princess needs more time to get ready.” Gwen gave Austin a chaste kiss and latched onto my other arm while he and the others laughed at my clenched teeth and grimace.
The girls got me upstairs in no time, calling for Hattie who popped into existence next to the vanity.
“Park it here.” Allie pushed me in the seat in front of the mirror as Gwen opened the armoire. “She’s all yours, Hattie.”
Hattie’s eyes closed and she blew in my face like she did when I fell asleep in the calming pool. A cool tingle spread across my cheekbones and I faced the mirror. I watched the metallic blue makeup fade and morph into a shimmering violet color. Even the shadow over my lids blended into solid silver color and my lips matched the new shades. Hattie picked up a small canister and dipped a brush inside before dabbing it against my temples and above my brow. Silver flakes in the shape of stars dotted my skin and she continued her work over my collar bone and shoulders after removing my necklace. She left my hair in the same style but added star pendants above my right ear. Next, Hattie changed my earrings to small moons, hanging from my lobes and spun me to face Allie and Gwen who were dressed in similar strapless ball gowns, but Allie’s was hunter green and Gwen’s was sky blue. Allie’s flaming locks were curled at the ends and she wore a crown of green and white buds. Gwen’s dark hair was spun into an intricate updo with shiny blue tinsel woven through her locks.
“Hattie, you are absolutely brilliant!” Gwen grabbed the nail polish from earlier and painted my toes. “Allie and I knew you wouldn’t wear heels all night, so we improvised. Allie held up a pair of sandals with small violet flowers spaced evenly along lilac cords. They helped me shimmy out of my coronation gown and a sigh left my lips as I watched Gwen
pass it to Hattie.
“No worries, Princess.” Hattie patted the fabric. “I’ll clean it myself and hang it with your other dresses so you can wear it whenever you like.”
“Thanks, Hattie.” She blinked from the room, leaving me with my friends.
“Let’s get your shoes on you first.” Allie reached for my left foot. “It’ll be easier with the dress.”
“That’s not alarming.” I held out my right foot when she was finished with the other.
“Have we ever steered you wrong before?” Gwen brows wagged and I couldn’t help the snort flying from my nose. “You’d think you have more faith in us after your last dress.”
“True.” I pursed my lips and fought my laugh. “But what about my birthday dress?”
“Not fair!” Gwen swatted my arm. “I was absent for that affair.”
“And I did what was best.” Allie’s nose turned up in the air. “It got Caden’s attention didn’t it?”
“Fine.” My hands went to my hips as we all stood. “You’re right and I’m wrong.”
“Finally!” Allie threw her arms in the air. “Someone sees the light.”
Gwen chuckled when she held up my next ensemble. “Did we do you an injustice?”
My fingers traced the soft fabric of the solid silver ball gown. “No. Not at all.”
They held the dress for me to slip into and its buttery softness slid against my skin as they pulled the scalloped straps up for me to put my arms through. The front hem grazed my knees while the back trailed over the floor. I held my arms up while they cinched the sweetheart corset tight with silk ribbon.
“Thank you both for this.” Tears threatened to spill and ruin Hattie’s handiwork.
“What are friends for?” Gwen crushed me and Allie joined the bear hug as Hattie reappeared, holding smaller silver tiara covered in diamonds.
Hattie removed my crystal crown and positioned the new circular one on my head. Each spire was topped with a small diamond, while a larger one was encased in a ring of shiny stones. “I thought this one worked better with your dress and would be less cumbersome to dance in.”
Ascension Page 7
