Moon Exalted (Shifter's Curse Book 3) by Devyn Sinclair

Author:Devyn Sinclair [Sinclair, Devyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Infinite Endings, LLC
Published: 2021-11-22T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

_______________

CORA

So few.

There were so few witches standing in the ballroom, waiting.

The wide windows open to the west let the sunset pour into the room. Dark marble reflected the light. Everyone and everything glowed like they contained fire within.

I counted as I walked towards the part of the room they were all facing, a small raised platform that I could imagine being used for musicians, or for the thrones, if there were celebrations.

Haley and Isabelle stood to one side, and my mates on the other. Everyone was watching me, and I counted.

Twenty-five.

Twenty-five witches, including the ambassadors, and myself. That wasn’t a lot. Hopefully we could still make a difference. No. Not hope. We would. Witches were power and magic. We would make a difference.

When I reached the dais my nerves were jangling, and I was resisting the urge to fidget and do things like twist my ring and bite my lip. Realistically, that was the kind of Queen that they were getting, but tonight, this needed to be perfect. No one had to tell me that this would be remembered.

It would.

I smiled at them. “It wasn’t my plan to make things so formal.”

Some soft laughter.

“I don’t know all of your names, but I’m thankful that you’re here. As are my mates. Many may not know it yet, but the entire Otherworld will be grateful that you chose to come.”

I looked over at Edward, Brandon, and Graeme. My breath was shaky. Graeme locked eyes with me, and I imagined the feeling of him stretching open my palm again. That steadied me.

Christine stood near the front of the gathered witches. “I’m told that since I am the last living réalta, that the job of administering these vows falls to you.”

She bowed slightly, holding onto her staff. “It does, your Majesty.”

I gestured for her to join me.

As she did, I still saw the hesitance in her eyes. She had her doubts, and so did I. But the fact that she was still doing this despite that gave me more courage. This was something that I couldn’t take back. Couldn’t give back.

It dropped into me so suddenly it felt like a dive into cold water.

I didn’t want to give it back.

If I didn’t have this, I wouldn’t have Edward, Brandon, and Graeme. They would still be locked in that curse, grieving needlessly. There might never have been another réalta and never have had a chance to break the curse.

Being Queen wasn’t what I wanted. I was terrified, and the thought of ruling an entire people was more than my mind could fully comprehend. If the time came for me to give up the title, I would do so gladly. But I didn’t want to give it back.

“Do you take these vows freely?” She asked.

“Yes.”

She nodded. “Hold out your hands, your Majesty.”

I did, looking at my palms, glowing orange in the sunset.

“Do not call your magic,” she said. “It will be called with your words. Speak them after me.”

Her voice was low, but I could hear her.

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