Ember Read Free Page B

for you.”
    “It’s time?” My voice cracked.
    “It’s time.”
     
     
     

Chapter Three
     
     
     
    W e walked from the castle entrance out into the open air. An ocean of faeries spread across the meadow in the center of Faylinn. They all turned at the same moment, watching me emerge from the castle, and I felt my knees go weak.
    Declan felt me wobble and took hold of my arm. “I’ve got you,” he murmured calmingly. He escorted me to the back of the crowd. His head bent down to me. “I must leave you here. All you have to do is walk down that aisle. You will be met at the front by Cavan.”
    “And then what?”
    “Just stand there and look pretty.” He winked.
    I let out a quiet breath of laughter. This was no time for jokes, but before I could argue with him, he was gone, and there I was, left with thousands of vivid eyes scrutinizing my every move.
    The woodlands towered like a curtain in shades of green behind the gathering. It was a backdrop swathed in colorful blossoms and vines. The sun hovered on the horizon, waiting to make its appearance, creating a faint blue mist that blanketed the meadow. It was a dream-like scene, completely magical. I nearly pinched myself. Could this place actually be real?
    I inhaled, taking it all in, and they patiently waited for me. I guess it was show time. Swallowing back my nerves, I took one step between the two separate masses of fae. As I walked, one by one their heads bowed down. There was a whirling in the pit of my stomach that radiated down to my toes. My legs were going to give out on me. I didn’t deserve this kind of respect. Queen was a title; it wasn’t what I really was. All I could do was breathe in deep, taking one step at a time.
    In that moment, I was overwhelmed by the need for my dad. I wanted his comforting face, and I wanted the pep talk I knew he would have given. This was his land. Among these faeries, I was merely an outsider. I needed him here with me. I wanted him at the end of the aisle as a tether, giving me strength to move forward. It felt so incomplete without him.
    As I walked, I tried to keep my breathing steady—my head raised high. I felt like a bride walking down the aisle, but I had no groom to keep my sights on—no familiar face to keep me calm. I let my eyes touch the faces of a few fae, but they weren’t looking at me. Their eyes slanted down to the ground. Was it disrespectful to look me in the eye when they bowed? I wished they would meet my eyes so I could at least see the faces of what my future held.
    Finally, there was one set of eyes that met mine. The moment our eyes locked, my heart felt warm. I knew those indigo eyes better than any. Kai’s head was bowed respectfully, but his eyes lifted just enough to gaze up at me. They remained on me as I walked forward. Slowly, but surely, the corner of his mouth turned up in his all too familiar smirk, and I could breathe easy. The smile that grew on my face lit up his eyes. I matched his gaze until I passed him and could no longer hold his gaze without looking over my shoulder. It gave me enough courage to walk the rest of the way. I did my best to block out the crowd and stopped in front of the faery who I assumed was Cavan.
    He was probably thousands of years old. Though he had shoulder-length white hair and wrinkles in the crooks of his eyes, he didn’t look decrepit. His silvery blue eyes held all his age. They were kind, wise, and finally put me at ease with the spotlight shining bright on me.
    “My Queen.” He smiled with a gentle bow.
    “Hi,” I timidly said, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. I nodded to acknowledge him.
    “Shall I begin?” he asked me quietly.
    “Sure.” Why was he asking me?
    His face warmed, and he turned to address the mass of fae. “We gather here at dawn to witness the return and crowning of our true Queen of Faylinn. I believe everyone can join with me in declaring that we are truly delighted to be a part of this significant moment