Destiny, page 21
“The captain will sort him out.”
High Cleric Amandine stood for the first time since she’d entered the room. “I must return to the cleric’s fortress and report this. We will send out a formal announcement and make sure the entire planet knows the queen has returned. The people will expect a ceremony of some kind. At the very least, she must introduce Lord Cray as her mate, and also Destiny as her daughter.”
Me? I forgot. No one knew I existed. Not yet, anyway. But I was in no hurry, and apparently, neither were my sisters.
“Wine first.” Trinity stood and pulled Leo behind her out of the room. “Dinner in bed. Breakfast in bed. Let’s spend a week in bed. I need some sleep.”
Leo was on her heels and scooped her up into his arms as they left the room. “Anything you want, mate.”
Thor pulled Faith close and she tucked herself against his side like one of the zebcats I’d heard so much about. “See you later, Des. I want to go home, and I know Mom and Dad won’t come up for air for days.”
“True.” She was right. On their last anniversary, they’d kicked us out of the house and told us to stay somewhere else for a full week.
A warm hand settled on the back of my neck and I recognized my mate’s touch, leaned into his strength. His heat. Just… him.
Faith and Thor disappeared and I turned in his arms. “Let’s get out of here before they get loud enough for me to hear them through the door.” I already could, if I were being honest, but listening to my Mom’s moans of pleasure was too creepy, so I pretended it was rats in the walls and walked as fast as I could out of the room. Just… ewww. “Parents are not supposed to fuck like rabbits.”
Nix left the doors to the queen’s solar open behind us and issued orders to a nearby guard to gather six men and stand guard both at the entrance here, in the hallway, and inside, at the mouth of the secret tunnel.
I hid a grin just imagining what those guards might hear later.
Better them than me.
Nix pulled me along behind him once the guards returned and took up their positions. “So, mate, what, exactly, is a rabbit and how do they fuck?”
I choked on my laughter, his expression so serious there was no ignoring the question. “Rabbits are very small, furry, adorable creatures that are well-known for making a lot of babies on Earth.”
“And you think your parents are like these rabbits?” His raised eyebrows were evidence that he was about to argue.
“No. Not really. It’s just a saying. We say it when two people like to have sex constantly and can’t keep their hands off each other.”
He grinned and wrapped his arms around my waist as he backed me into our room. “Then I would very much like to fuck you like a rabbit, mate.”
“God, you’re adorable.”
“I am a rabbit set to fuck you for days without ceasing.” I was half naked before he was done with the sentence. He dropped to his knees and pulled the rest of my clothes from my body. “But first, I am hungry, female.”
His mouth. My pussy.
Oh, hell yeah. We both were starving for each other.
Always would be.
8
Destiny
* * *
I’d been to the citadel before, but it had been at night. Pitch black all around, the citadel and the single spire that was lit a beacon. Sure, it had been all aglow, austere and yet beautiful at the same time. Brilliant white that seemed to come from the inside out. A perimeter of gorgeous flowers, grass and a park-like setting. But it was also ruthless, an invisible barrier that kept all who were not chosen from entering.
We’d stunned Leo with an ion pistol and run past the guards to gain entrance that first night. We sisters had separated then, putting our plans into motion. Faith headed for the Jax house. I disappeared within the clerical order. Trinity faced the world, became Princess Trinity and led Alera until Mom was found.
That had been the plan, and it had worked. Despite all the insanity, our plan had worked.
And now? Mom was here. So was all of Mytikas, spread out before the citadel like a crowd at the Capitol Building when the US swore in a new president. The weather was perfect: bright skies, a warm breeze… perhaps the powers of the citadel affected the warm weather. The sun was setting, the building becoming brighter, the spires glowing more fiercely by the minute. As for the mood of the crowd? They cheered. Chanted. Everyone was boisterous and full of joy.
That was all because of Mom.
Their queen.
I was so proud of her. I always had been, the woman I’d always looked up to, listened to. Sure, we’d argued, fought. She hadn’t liked it when I’d pierced my own ears at eleven—after I’d thrown up in the bathtub because I had a needle in my ear and realized I hadn’t liked it either. She’d driven me to karate class after Jiu Jitsu class after Tae Kwon Do class without complaint. She’d even rolled her eyes but bit her lip when I’d dyed my hair purple.
But that was all nothing. Just… stuff. Mom offered love unconditionally. Was fiercely protective. Brave. Kind. Ruthless. And not just to me, Faith and Trinity. Not with Dad either. She was all those things for an entire planet.
She’d fled to Earth not to save herself, but to save the baby she’d carried. To save the next ruler of Alera. She’d spent our entire lives preparing all of us to one day return to Alera, but I doubted she’d ever imagined it would be like this.
God, the mess… all of it, had proven our blood bond was so strong. Royals or not, we were a family. And growing. Trinity, Faith and I now had mates. Not just husbands, but pretty much DNA chosen males that belonged to us. They were ours and we were theirs.
Just as Mom and Dad were mates. True loves. I’d seen it all my life, but never understood the depth of it until now. Until Nix.
What Dad had done to protect Mom… it made me weepy. And I was never weepy.
And now, Mom stood before the citadel, inside the invisible barrier but before her people, in her white flowing gown, the royal necklace about her neck. She’d gone within just a little while ago to the place the jewels had been waiting all these years and retrieved them. She didn’t look like the woman I knew who went to the corner store in Snoopy pajamas to pick up milk and eggs. She looked… like the fucking queen.
The crowd before her cheered, chanted her name. Celene, Celene, Celene. So did those who watched this moment from afar, from the most distant corners of the planet. To those on other planets as well. Leaders like Prime Nial from Prillon Prime had spoken with her, welcomed her return. She smiled, waved, indulged. Some had waited twenty-seven years for this moment, for their beloved queen to return. Some had never seen her before, except in images.
Trinity, Faith and I stood outside the perimeter, our mates behind us, as we, too, waited. This was Mom’s moment. All of Alera’s moment.
“Did I mention how beautiful you look?” Nix murmured. His breath fanned my neck and I reached back, grabbed his hand. I flushed from head to toe at his words, at the deep tone. He’d helped me dress, then helped me undress as he showed me just how much he liked what he saw. Then, after the quickie that had left me wilted and very, very sated, he’d fastened the small buttons up the back of my purple dress.
I gave a slight nod as I looked over my shoulder at him. From afar, everyone would see him so handsome in his uniform, in his military bearing, yet his eyes held heat and love just for me.
Mom held up her hands and the crowd instantly fell silent. She smiled brilliantly and nodded, as if giving thanks for their attention.
“My Alerans, we have all waited for this day, for this moment to arrive. I have dreamed of returning to you, to lead once again. You were never far from my thoughts. While I lived on Earth, a planet so far from here, know that your blood, Aleran blood, flowed through my veins and not a day went by that I did not think about you, my people, my home.”
Wow, Mom had helped me with my English papers in high school, but sheesh, she’d downplayed her skills.
“These past few weeks, you have heard rumors. You have heard lies. Yesterday, I shared the truth. I am sure you have heard it by now through every news feed, read it for yourself. Know that every word came from my pen, from my hand. I will not go over all of the details, salacious, cruel and sad as they may be. I can’t speak for those who have died. I can’t hope to understand or explain their motives and intentions.”
She paused, let all of that sink in.
“I would like to take a moment now to honor those who have given their lives in protection of me and Alera. Nothing I can say will match the depth of my gratitude for the sacrifice that was made, or for each individual’s integrity. Whether they fought to free me, or are, even now, out there somewhere fighting the Hive menace, they are true Alerans, every one.”
Mom lifted her hand and wiped at the corner of her eye.
Nix squeezed my hand again. He’d been one of those men. Him and Leo. They’d gone out and served in the Coalition Fleet. I couldn’t begin to fathom how many friends he’d lost, or how many people had died hiding the truth about my mother.
After a minute of silence, Mom smiled once again. “It is time to formally introduce you to my family.” Mom looked to Dad, who stood beside Captain Turaya and Pawl across from us. It was like we were at a wedding, bridesmaids on one side, groomsmen on the other.
Mom walked through the invisible barrier where many had died in their attempt to take all she was born with. She walked over to Dad, took his hand and moved so they were front and center for the entire world to see.
“My people, this is my mate, Adam, Lord Cray. I met him on Earth, but he, too, is a true Aleran. He protected me, cherished me and saved me just as a mate should. He left the planet all those years ago to watch over me, to belong to me as I did to him. On Alera, he was born as Lord Buchan Adamos Cray. Since our mating, he has, unknown by everyone, been your king. King Adam.”
Dad smiled lifted their joined hands to his lips and kissed her knuckles. The crowd went wild.
I’d read what Mom had sent to the media, a thorough yet simple outline of… everything. King Mykel’s betrayal, Radella, Pawl. The plan to kill Mom and take over the throne. Her escape. Lord Wyse’s long desire to have Radella rule, the kidnapping and attempted murder of Trinity. Dad’s arrival and his ridiculously alpha male plan to protect his mate. All of it.
The truth had been shared. It was out. The true traitors were now a part of history, to learn from and never repeat.
“The Herakles legacy continues with my daughters. Trinity, Faith and Destiny.”
Mom looked to us, curled her finger so we would join her. I didn’t release Nix’s hand as we went, stood in a line beside Mom and Dad.
“I have been gone a long time. In the few short weeks my daughters have been on the planet, they have become worthy princesses. Princess Trinity has ruled in my place and you have embraced her. She is a worthy future queen.”
Again, the crowd cheered. Trinity smiled and waved her hand like the Queen of England on the balcony at Buckingham Palace.
Mom looked to Dad, who nodded, before she gazed out at her people. “My spire has been lit while I have been gone. Your hearts have held me well. But I am the past… and Trinity is the future. That future is now.”
Trinity stared at Mom, wide-eyed.
Oh shit. This was like the time Mom told us she had a surprise for us. We’d waited on the couch, all three of us side by side, and held our breaths. Of course, then, it was to say we were going to Disney World for spring break. Yeah, I had a feeling we weren’t going off on a family vacation.
“I, Queen Celene Herakles of Alera, do hereby relinquish the throne to my heir and successor, Trinity Herakles, your new queen.”
A gasp came from Faith. Trinity said, “Mom!” and the entire crowd started murmuring. This was huge. Like… holy shit huge.
Mom came over, stood before Trinity. “You’ve proven yourself to me, to the people of Alera. They need you to lead. I stopped being their queen all those years ago. I’ve just been their hope. They’ve been waiting for you.”
Tears streamed down Trinity’s cheeks as she hugged Mom. They stood like that for what seemed like a full minute. Mom was stepping down as queen? She just got back! But Trinity had been leading the planet. She had been raised to ultimately take over. And Dad had done everything he could to make sure she was ready. Law school. Debate club. Ethics and philosophy and all that fucking talking. I loved hitting and kicking and playing. Trin? She really was born for this.
What Mom had said was true. She’d been gone for so long. Her spire had been the hope the planet needed to keep going during her absence. And now, they didn’t need Mom anymore. They needed a queen and duh, that was soooo Trinity.
Nix wrapped an arm about my waist and I leaned into him. He was my anchor, and I knew no matter what happened, no matter how things changed, he would be there.
Leo took Trinity’s elbow and had her step back. He leaned down and whispered something to her, something no one could hear. As she wiped her face, she nodded, then nodded again.
When he was done, he kissed her temple.
Then she turned to Mom, lifted her chin, rolled her shoulders back and nodded.
“Come,” Mom said to Trinity and started walking back toward the citadel, once again back in full royal mode. God, the two of them had that down pat.
I could barely walk in my long dress and yet the two of them appeared to be floating. I had no idea what Mom was up to… some things Aleran she’d never mentioned to us growing up. I glanced at Dad, who smiled indulgently. He’d grown up on Alera, left Alera when he was about my age. But he knew what was happening. I had no doubt Mom had talked with Dad, worked it out with him.
The barrier accepted them both.
In front of the large doors, they stopped and turned to face everyone once again. The crowd fell silent. Not even a baby cried or a bird chirped. Nothing. It was possible the wind ceased to blow just for this moment.
Mom reached up behind her neck and undid the clasp on the necklace. She moved to stand behind Trinity and put it about her neck, fastened it and moved back beside her.
No one said a word. I held my breath.
Mom looked up at the pale glow of the citadel, the spires. It was dusk now, the sky almost black, but Mom and Trinity were easily seen in the brightness. So were we, even outside the barrier.
As one, everyone tilted their faces up just as their queen did. One last time, they followed her silent command to look, to watch.
Slowly, the white glow changed, grew darker. Within seconds, the citadel was bathed in a royal blue—god, no pun intended—and the spires, the four that were lit, changed from bright white to cobalt beacons in the night.
It was stunning. Beautiful. Like something out of a fairy tale.
Magic. It felt like magic.
The silence was thick, as if everyone present couldn’t believe their eyes and didn’t know how to react.
Nearby, Captain Turaya hugged Leo’s mother close, a contented smile on his face. When he caught me looking, be beamed. “Your grandmother’s spires were a pale green, like buds of fresh grass in spring.”
“You’re such a poet, my love.” Leo’s mother was cute. There was no other word for the petite woman, or the way she looked up at her mate like he was her sun and stars. No wonder Leo turned out to be a keeper.
Mom turned to the crowd and I tore my gaze from Leo’s parents. I didn’t want to miss this, whatever this was.
“The ascension is complete. The citadel recognizes the new queen.” And now, she radiated pride, joy, contentment, just as she had at all of our graduations. But this… holy fuck, this, even I was a little weepy. “Alera, welcome Queen Trinity.”
The roar of the crowd was unlike anything I had ever heard. No football stadium could compare. No rock concert. All of Alera was shouting for joy in this moment.
They cheered for the past returning, for the present, for the peaceful, beautiful and very traditional hand-off from mother to daughter. They cheered for the future, which looked so bright. And so very blue.
Trinity and Mom walked back through the barrier to join all of us. Dad was the first to approach them and hugged Trinity fiercely. He might not be her father by blood, but definitely was her father in the heart. That was all that mattered.
Faith raced over to Trinity and Nix let go of my hand so I could join them. “Did you have any idea?” Faith asked Trinity.
Trinity shook her head and was beaming, like practically glowing and vibrating with energy. I had to wonder if her reaction was from being stunned or being excited, or if it were the necklace itself. I knew I could hear like a flipping bat by entering the citadel and having my spire light up the sky, but what powers did the necklace hold?
And what did the auras of an entire crowd look like all at once?
I’d get the details out of Trinity. But not now. I’d pin her to the ground and pinch her just like when we were young if I had to. I had my ways.
“Glad it’s you and not me,” I told her when it was my turn to get a hug in. She looked at me and rolled her eyes. We both knew I spoke the truth.
“You just don’t like wearing dresses,” she replied.
“And that’s all the excuse I need,” I countered.
“You must address your people,” Mom interrupted.
I turned to go to Nix, but he was right there. God, yes. He would always be right there.
He tugged me a little to the side as Trinity stepped forward, Mom beside her. They were speaking quietly to each other, but I was more interested in Nix.
“You’re happy for your sister?” he asked.
I frowned. “Of course.”
“Jealous?”
My mouth fell open. “God, no. She can have that necklace and all the crazy power that goes with it. I just want you.”
“I wonder what Leo’s opinion of this will be. He was not ready to be king. Trinity will need more protection now.”
“She’ll be fine. She’s strong.” I swiped the air. “He can handle it. God, King Leo. That’s insane.”
