I nodded, trying not to tense as Eloise came back to do her final touch-ups.
“He’s a nice one,” she remarked, spraying the last of the flyaways.
“He is.”
“Personally, I’d pick Kile,” she commented with a giggle.
“I know!” I shook my head at her. “I still haven’t forgotten how you let him sneak into my room.”
She shrugged. “He is my favorite. I have to do what I can!”
Finally everything was in place. I made my way downstairs, the tail of my cape draped over my arm. The foyer was a mass of people. General Leger on one side holding Miss Lucy’s hands to his lips, Josie and Neena in matching pale-blue gowns that would look lovely as they held my train down the aisle, and the five remaining Elite in a circle toward a corner, with Erik wearing a tie that was a shade of blue slightly brighter than the others.
But I only had eyes for one boy in the crowd. As I reached the middle of the staircase, I caught sight of Ahren. He was here.
I rushed through the herd, elbowing my way past advisers and friends, running not into Ahren’s arms, but Camille’s.
“Is he well?” I asked into her ear.
“Oui, very.”
“And are your people pleased? Do they accept him?”
“As if he was born one of our own.”
I held her tighter. “Thank you.”
I pulled away, turning to see my stupid brother.
“You clean up nice,” he teased.
I didn’t know if I should joke with him or punch him in the arm or scream or laugh or anything at all. So I crushed him in a hug.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I shouldn’t have left the way I did. I shouldn’t have left you alone.”
I shook my head. “You were right. I miss you so much it hurts, but you had to go.”
“As soon as I heard about Mom, I wanted to come back. But I didn’t know if it would make things worse or better, or if it was even fair for me to show up since it seemed I was the cause.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. All that matters is that you’re here now.”
He held me close for a minute as Lady Brice organized everyone into cars. The advisers went first and the Elite just after, all of them bowing deeply to me, Erik especially. He didn’t meet my eyes, and I was grateful. Who knew what my stupid heart might have done if he had?
It did melt a little when he walked away, pulling repeatedly at his sleeves, seeming painfully uncomfortable in his suit.
“Okay, next car,” Lady Brice announced. “Everyone whose last name is Schreave, even you, Monsieur French Prince.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Ahren said, taking Camille’s hand.
“Eadlyn’s in first, followed by Neena and Josie. The rest of the family in after that, and I’ll be in a car right behind you.”
Dad paused. “Brice, you should be with us.”
“Absolutely,” Mom agreed. “There’s room in the limo, and you’re the one holding this whole thing together.”
“I’m not sure that’s appropriate,” she replied.
Neena tilted her head, trying to put doubt in Lady Brice’s mind. “It could easily fall apart on the ten-minute drive.”
“Also, the likelihood of someone thinking Neena and I are sisters is slim,” I added. “Stay with us.”
She pursed her lips as if she thought this was somehow a bad idea. “Fine. Let’s go.”
We piled into the limo, my dress taking up the space of three people. There was so much laughter and feet stepping over feet that the whole thing started to feel funny. I took a deep breath. All I had to do was say a few words, make a promise I’d already made in my heart. I looked across the car to Mom. She gave me a wink, and that was all I needed.
Josie and Neena followed me down the aisle of the church, holding my cape so it didn’t drag across the floor. As I walked, I looked at the signet ring on my finger, the Illéan crest gleaming in the center. Dad already trusted me in this role. He was already delighted with the way I was handling it. This was just making everything official.
I caught the eyes of as many people as I could, hoping to convey my gratitude. At the head of the church, I knelt on the little resting stool, feeling the weight of my dress fanned out behind me. The bishop took the ceremonial crown and held it above my head.
“Are you, Eadlyn Schreave, willing to take this oath?”
“I am willing.”
“Do you vow to uphold the laws and honor of Illéa all the days of your life, governing your people according to their traditions and customs?”
“I do.”
“And do you vow to protect the interests of Illéa, both at home and abroad?”
“I do.”
“And do you vow to use your power and placement to bring mercy and justice for all Illéa’s people?”
“I do.”
It felt appropriate that vows to a country required four affirmations, whereas vows to another person only required one. With my final words spoken, the bishop set the crown on my head. I rose and turned to face my people, my cape looking rather beautiful curled up around my feet like a cat. The bishop placed the scepter in my left hand and the orb in my right.
There was a loud knock of a staff on the floor, and the people around me shouted, “God save the queen.”
And I felt a thrill in my chest to know those words were meant for me.
CHAPTER 21
“OSTEN, FOR GOODNESS’ SAKE, STAND up,” Mom ordered.
“But it’s so hot,” he complained as we began what would be a marathon photo session.
Dad stepped around me. “You can pull it together for five minutes of pictures, son.”
Ahren laughed. “Oh, I’ve missed you all.”
I swatted him. “I’m so glad no one’s actually filming this.”
“Okay, okay. We’re all ready,” Dad called to the photographer. He and Mom posed behind me, their arms on the back of my chair. Osten and Ahren knelt on either side of me, while Kaden stood with one hand behind his back, almost challenging me for the most regal-looking family member of the day.
The photographer snapped shot after shot until he was satisfied. “And who’s next?”
We all stayed where we were, pulling Camille into the picture. Then, so we would have a picture of the whole family, each of the Elite boys was rotated through the portrait.
Then it was a picture of me with the Legers, then one with each member of the advisory board, including Lady Brice, who bypassed the traditionally stiff pose and hugged me tightly instead. “I’m so proud!” she kept saying. “Just so, so proud!” Then, of course, we had to get a shot with the entire Woodwork family.
Josie walked up as fast as she could, placing herself so she was practically front and center. I shook my head as Miss Marlee gave me a big hug.
“I’m so happy for you, honey. You’ve grown up so fast.”
I laughed. “Thank you, Miss Marlee. I’m glad you could all be here today.”
Mr. Woodwork smiled. “As if we’d miss it. Congratulations.”
Miss Marlee still held my hands. “These past few months, seeing you ascend, and watching you and Kile become so close, have been wonderful.”
I smiled. “Honestly, it’s hard to imagine us not being friends now. I can’t believe it took us this long to actually get to know each other.”
“It’s funny how that works,” Miss Marlee replied. “It seems like a shame you and Josie have hardly gotten to spend any time together.”
“What?” Josie said, able to hear her name if it was so much as tapped out in Morse code on a different continent.
“It might be good for you to do more together.” Miss Marlee looked between the two of us, glowing with joy.
“Yeah! We totally should!” Josie squealed.
“And I’d love to,” I lied. “But now that I’m queen, I’m afraid my free time will be very limited.”
Mom smiled knowingly behind her friend. I could tell she realized exactly what I was tr
ying to do.
Miss Marlee frowned. “True. Oh, I know! Why don’t you have Josie shadow you for a few days? She’s always had a deep interest in the life of a princess. Now she can study a queen!”
“That. Would be. Amazing!” Josie grabbed my hand, and to my credit, I didn’t jerk it away.
With everyone waiting for me to speak and my mother’s eyes warning me that, queen or not, I’d better not disappoint her closest friend, I didn’t have a choice.
“Sure. Josie can shadow me. That will be . . . great.”
Josie danced back to her spot, and I eyed Kile, who was doing his best not to laugh at my newest predicament. His amusement made me smile, and I felt confident that I’d at least look happy in the pictures.
Finally it was time for the individual portraits with the Elite. I stood in my coronation gown as they were each cycled onto the set.
Fox was first, and he looked sharp in his dark-gray suit. “Okay, so what do I do?” he asked. “In the family picture, I put my arms by my side; but I feel like I should, I don’t know, hold your hand or something.”
The photographer called out, “Yes, that’s good,” as Fox took my hand in his. He stepped a little closer, and we smiled as clicks flashed through in quick succession.
Ean sauntered over next, looking quite pleased. “Stunning, Eadlyn. Absolutely stunning.”
“Thanks. You don’t look so bad yourself.”
“True,” he said, smirking. “Very true.”
He positioned himself behind me. “I haven’t gotten to thank you yet. Both for your pardon and your discretion.”
“You and I always got by on minimal communication. I knew you were thankful.”
“I’d been preparing myself for a life of disappointment,” he admitted, his tone the closest to nervousness I’d ever heard it. “To consider that anything else is possible feels unreal. I’m not quite sure how to move forward.”
“Just live.”
Ean smiled at me, kissed my forehead, and moved to the side.
After Ean it was Kile’s turn, and he barreled across the set, making me scream when he scooped me up and spun me around.
“Put me down!”
“Why? Because you’re queen? I’ll need a better reason than that.”
He finally stopped, facing the camera, and I knew we were both grinning like idiots. These pictures would be a completely different kind of spectacular.
“I nearly killed myself stepping on that cape,” he said. “Fashion is deadly.”
“Don’t say that to Hale,” I commented.
“Say what to me?” Hale said as they switched places.
“That fashion can kill.” Kile straightened his suit as he walked.
“Hers could. You look amazing,” he said, embracing me.
“Thanks so much for your help this morning. Everything held together.”
“Of course it did. Did you doubt my skills?” he teased.
“Never.”
I stood back so we could take a few pictures with our faces showing, though I couldn’t wait to see the ones of us embracing.
Finally it was Henri’s turn, and his smile alone was enough to make this long day feel short. He stopped a few steps away from me and took a deep breath.
“You are look very beautiful. I am happy for you.”
My hand flew to my mouth, so moved. “Henri. Thank you! Thank you so much!”
He shrugged. “I trying.”
“You’re doing great. Really.”
He nodded and came over to me, gently turning me away from him. Then he walked around to move my cape so it fluttered around from behind me, and he came to the other side, placing his hands on my waist, standing proudly just over my shoulder.
It was clear he had put a lot of thought into how he wanted to be perceived in this portrait, and I admired that. When the photographer was done, Henri began to walk away, then paused.
“Umm, entä Erik?” he said, pointing to his friend.
Kile caught on and was in full agreement. “Yeah, Erik’s been through this, too. He needs to get up there.”
Erik simply shook his head. “No, I’m fine. It’s fine.”
“Go on, man, it’s just a picture.” Kile pushed him a little, but he still didn’t move.
Part of me worried that somehow, everyone would be able to hear my pulse beating out his name if he got any closer. But as hard as I’d worked to avoid him the last few days, it was just as challenging not to run to him now.
I walked over to him. And when he realized I was on my way, his gaze flew up to mine. In an instant, everything in the room came alive. Like the sunshine had a melody and the sounds of footsteps had a texture I could feel in my fingertips each time anyone moved.
The world woke up when I looked at him.
I stopped in front of Erik, hoping I didn’t look as dazzled as I felt. “I’m not commanding. I’m asking.”
He sighed. “That makes it a thousand times worse.” Smiling, he put his hand in mine, but before I could pull him onto the stage, he looked down at himself. As soon as the ceremony had ended, he’d taken off his suit jacket and was now only wearing a vest and tie. “Now I’m underdressed,” he lamented.
I sighed and unbuttoned the snaps holding the cape to my dress. The second I held it out, Hale came to carefully take it away. “Does that help?”
“No.” He swallowed. “But if you truly want this . . .”
“I do.” I tilted my head and playfully batted my lashes.
He laughed, clearly realizing he was defeated. “What do I do?”
“Okay.” I grinned, stepping closer. “Put this hand here,” I said, placing the front one on my waist. “And this one here,” pulling the other up to my shoulder. I put one hand on his chest and the other looped behind his arm, and we stood there in a loose embrace. “Now smile at the camera.”
“All right,” he said.
With my hand on his chest, I could feel his heart pounding. “Calm down,” I said quietly. “Pretend it’s just you and me.”
“I can’t.”
“Then, I don’t know, say something in Finnish.”
He chuckled to himself and whispered, “Vain koska pyysit, hauska nainen.” Though I couldn’t understand the words he continued to murmur, I knew I would never be able to forget his tone. Without looking up at him, I could hear his smile, which only made mine brighter. I had to remind myself to breathe, I was so busy listening to him. I knew in my heart these were important words. And I couldn’t recognize a single one.
“That was a good one,” the photographer said, and almost instantly Erik dropped his hands.
“See? Was that so awful?” I asked.
“I thought it would be much, much harder,” he confessed, and there was something funny in his voice, like I’d missed a detail.
I could hear it again, the rat tat tat of my foolish heart. I swallowed, ignoring it and turning instead to the footsteps echoing as they entered the hall.
“Marid,” I called in greeting.
“I’m sorry to intrude, but I couldn’t help myself. Is there any way I could get an official picture with my new queen?” Marid asked.
“Of course.” I extended a hand, and he walked over, happily taking it.
“The country is abuzz,” he told me. “I don’t know if you’ve been hearing reports today, but the coverage is very positive.”
“I haven’t had a second to pause and look,” I confessed as he held both of my hands affectionately and faced the camera.
“No need. You have people at your beck and call to report it all later. I’m just happy to be the first to tell you that your inaugural day is going beautifully.”
He squeezed my hand, and I sighed, thinking that maybe, finally, it was all coming together.
CHAPTER 22
I DRANK CHAMPAGNE AND LAUGHED too loudly and ate half my body weight in chocolate. Just for a few hours, I wanted to revel in the ridiculous opulence I’d always taken for granted. Tomorrow I would sip w
ater and get my head straight. Tomorrow I would worry about how to keep my country together. Tomorrow I would think about husbands.
But tonight? Tonight I was going to bask in this perfect, sparkling moment.
“One more dance?” Ahren asked, catching me mid-sip in what I swore was my last drink. “I have a flight to catch, but I wanted to say good-bye.”
I stood, taking his hand. “I’ll take whatever good-bye I can get. Anything will be better than last time.”
“I’m still sorry about that, but you know why I couldn’t.”
We locked form, and he spun me around the room. “I do. That didn’t make it any easier though. Add that to everything else that’s going on, and life’s been a little harsh without you here.”
“I’m sorry. But you’re doing very well, better than you think, I’d wager.”
“We’ll see. I still have to establish my government, make sure Mom and Dad slow down, and find someone to marry me.”
He shrugged. “So, basically nothing.”
“It’s practically a vacation.”
He chuckled. Oh, how I had missed that sound. “I’m sorry if my letter was harsh. Mom and Dad wanted to protect you, but I was afraid that not knowing where you stood might actually cripple you.”
“It wasn’t easy to read, but it’s come up again and again. I really should have known. If I hadn’t been so self-centered—”
“You were trying to shield yourself,” he said quickly, cutting me off. “You are doing something no one else in this country has ever done. Of course you found ways to make it easier.”
I shook my head. “Dad has been exhausted. Mom has never slowed down. You were in love, and I tried to talk you out of it. There’s a word for what I am, but I’m too much of a lady to say it.”
He laughed out loud at that, and I caught several eyes looking our way, most noticeably Camille’s. I’d wanted to be mad at her, this girl who’d done everything I was trying to do but ten times better, this girl who’d taken away my twin. But it was clear how happy she was to see us reunited.
I still didn’t understand how she’d mastered everything so easily, how she seemed to maintain being a leader and a girl without effort. I worried that, as perfect as this day was, it wouldn’t last.