Add that to my list of things to research. Check.
When Joshua lifts the crown high in the air, the light filtering in through the windows reflects off of it, creating a prism effect and showering tiny rainbows throughout the throne room. Rainbows that remind me of the Verity’s true form. Of the beauty and power residing inside.
This is it. It wasn’t supposed to happen until spring. I was supposed to have two more months to prepare. But Joshua moved the date up, didn’t see the need to wait. As the vessel of the Verity, I might as well be queen already. This is merely a formality.
I swallow. Clench my teeth.
“It is my honor to present to you the vessel of the Verity, the purest soul in this Reflection, Her Majesty, Queen Eliyana Olivia Ember. Long may she reign.”
With exceptional care Joshua lowers the crown and places it upon my brow. The mirrorglass is cool on my forehead and I breathe in the finality of it. Something like a spark of electricity jolts my insides. The calm I felt just moments before dwindles, replaced by something dark and new. A hollow ache settling in my gut.
What in the Reflections is that?
I shake my head. It’s just nerves. The Verity will soothe me again and I’ll be fine. No second-guessing. Joshua has been interim king for two months, waiting patiently as I prepared for this day. But now it’s my turn. I feel like Elsa of Arendelle, destined to be queen but terrified of the weight now resting on my narrow shoulders.
Am I good enough?
My gaze falls upon the people and I see them with new eyes. These aren’t just the people, they’re my people. Only eighteen and I’m responsible for an entire Reflection? How can I do this? The sole thing that qualifies me is the Verity. I’m no queen. I’m nothing more than an average, blemished—
“May I have this dance, Your Majesty?”
Kuna Lauti’s voice draws me from my internal storm. I blink twice and nod. As my insecurities reigned, the world around me shifted. The quartet now plays an up-tempo waltz, and couples glide around the throne room in time with the melody.
Kuna’s broad grin spreads from ear to ear, his full lips stretching over whiter-than-usual teeth. He must’ve stopped chewing tobacco. Stormy never did cease pestering him about it. I can’t help but smile in return. Like a big brother, my best friend’s husband always has a way of bringing light to the darkest of moments.
For an instant I forget the Verity’s sudden absence. Forget tomorrow and duty and what being queen means. I place my pasty hand in his coffee-colored one. “Why, it would be my honor, good sir.”
He chuckles and his entire body quakes. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were nervous to dance with a good-looking gentleman such as myself.”
The knots in my gut unfurl. I look past him and spy Stormy leaning against a nearby column. She rolls her eyes and shakes her head. We exchange a smirk in the way that’s become so natural, I can’t even remember a time when we weren’t joined at the hip.
As we twirl, Kuna lifts me off my feet now and then, making me break into full-on laughter. The Samoan’s moves are big and dramatic, forcing me into giggle fits. What was I so worried about? Jasyn Crowe is dead, as is his lackey Haman. My traitorous half sister Ebony is locked away in the dungeons. The lovely but vicious Troll Isabeau and her stooge Gage are nowhere to be found, good riddance. Mom is alive and well, pregnant as can be with her husband, Makai, at her side. The Soulless are no more. All is right with the Second. Even the Void is contained—
I stifle a gasp and squeeze my eyes. Drat. I promised myself I wouldn’t think about that. Not until I have the answer I seek.
I crane my neck to peer out one of the arched windows. The sun is setting. I’ll stay another hour, then slip away. There are more important things than coronation parties. I’m queen now. And as queen my first mission will be to do the one thing no Verity’s vessel has ever done before.
Destroy the Void once and for all.
TWO
Your Power
So much for only staying an hour. The sun has long since sunk into the horizon, and the guests have exchanged dancing for light conversation and sips of champagne. The quartet continues to play low in the background as I take a much-needed moment of solace. I slip off my shoes and shove them beneath the throne where I sit. Wiggle and flex my toes. Seriously, I am so glad I didn’t wear heels. If my feet ache this much in flat Converse, what agony would I be in had I donned stilettos? I must’ve danced with every Guardian in the Second. If I have to do one more box step, I’ll end up with blisters the size of Staten Island. #nojoke
Resisting the urge to swing my legs over the arm of the throne and fall asleep right here, I sit a little taller and scan the scene before me. The Second’s residents are straight out of a Fairy tale, garbed in silk and taffeta, cravats and cummerbunds. Has it only been two months since these people were beggars and vagabonds? Rebels?
Joshua has done so much in such a short time to restore this Reflection to its previous state. How can I fill his shoes? Never thought I’d see Saul Preacher with a trimmed beard, minus a knit cap, plus a tux. It’s quite a sight, especially considering he keeps tugging at his bow tie like it’s an electric dog collar. He shoots me one of his classic glares. Guess being queen doesn’t matter—some things never change.
My muscles tense and a seedling of fear sprouts. It’s been hours since I felt the Verity stir. This has never happened. Could something be wrong?
I shift in my seat and move my focus to Robyn and Wren Song. They stand near the back of the room with their father, Wade, and mother, Lark. I owe a lot to this family. Wren rescued me from Haman. Robyn and Wade tended to my wounds. And Lark? She aided me when Gage tried to kidnap me. The woman offers a soft smile, the kindness behind her black and yellow eyes filling me with warmth.
Wren notices me and my insides freeze over. She glares, then flips her midnight blue–streaked hair over one shoulder.
Robyn follows her gaze. I smile and wave. Robyn does the same despite the elbow in the ribs Wren gives her.
My anxiety eases a smidge despite the Verity’s silence. I make a mental note to invite Robyn for tea next week. Mom will be so proud.
When my attention rests on Joshua, he’s already watching me. He winks from his perch at the bottom of the grand staircase.
I smile and my cheeks flame. He’s been doing this a lot lately. Flirting. Wearing his heart on his sleeve. I’m still not quite used to it. After three years as “just friends,” it feels a little odd to be so open about our feelings. And there’s this other thing, too, this ping of doubt I get whenever he looks at me this way.
What if it isn’t real?
What if his feelings are merely a result of our childhood connection—the bond created by the Verity? If we’d met under normal circumstances and he hadn’t known his soul was linked to mine, would he have seen me as anything more than a naive teenage girl with a crush?
As if reading my mind, he makes his way toward me. It’s like his goal these past months has been to prove his love. To prove his most recent Kiss of Infinity wasn’t a product of something artificial. The weight riding on his coattails is undeniable. Whenever we’re alone I sense it. In the way his brows pinch when I’m not as affectionate as he is. In the silence festering between us when I can’t think of anything to say. I don’t mean to be so insecure about us, but how can I not be? How will I ever truly know if his love for me is genuine, or if it’s just a result of our intertwined past? Did he give me a Kiss of Infinity because he loves me, or does he love me because he gave me a Kiss of Infinity?