Chase rose, bowing, and then I embraced them all and took their pledges to me as their queen, and the coronation ended with a massive fireworks display, thanks to Vanzir and Rozurial, as the feasting began.
Before joining my family and all of the Supe nobility who had attended for the feast, I retired to a private garden with Derisa. An entourage of bodyguards accompanied me and I realized this was one more thing I’d have to get used to.
The garden was off my bedroom, deep in the Barrow. I had opted not to use the bedroom Morgaine had occupied. Somehow, the Barrow mages had managed to build me a private garden space even in the midst of the Barrow Mound. Small but open to the sky, the scent of roses hung heavy, and here were my seedlings from my witch’s garden. I slowly eased myself down onto a stone bench, all too aware of my wings. They weren’t uncomfortable, but they tickled and I could feel them moving softly in the astral wind.
“Did you know?” I asked Derisa when she joined me. “Did you know this would happen?”
She shrugged. “Who knows what might happen? I had visions…this was one possible future. You do know that all your advisors voted that you shouldn’t be offered initiation. But when you came before me, the Moon Mother sang to me. She alone rules my actions. And so I took you under my wing and initiated you. And…here you are. Where you are supposed to be.”
I hesitated to tell her what was weighing heavy on my heart, but I needed to confide in her. “What if this Court…what if it conflicts with the Moon Mother’s will?”
Derisa shook her head. “Don’t worry your head, my love. She will not let you fall into that position. What else worries you?”
I paused again, searching through my thoughts to make certain I spoke clearly. “What if I can’t find the other Knights?”
“Again, you would not wear the diamond if you weren’t destined to renew the knighthood. You will find them, probably where you least expect.”
The High Priestess reached out and took my hand. “Camille, you are one of the chosen. Some have lesser journeys to walk, some even more powerful ones than you have been given. But those whom the Hags of Fate choose to invest the future in, well…this is a gift, though at times it may seem like a curse. You will help create history. You will not simply witness it, but you will forge it. Be grateful for the chance to leave your mark.”
And with that, she stood. “You should attend your guests. Enjoy the night. Celebrate now, for I have the feeling the coming days will be rife with learning the ways of your court.”
And with that, she led me back to the great hall, and the night passed in a blur of music and food, and as morning light brought the beginning of the waning year, I called my husbands to me, and retired to my bedroom.
Chapter 19
TWO WEEKS LATER, Menolly and I were sitting on the porch steps with Delilah. The house felt so empty, and a part of me longed to move back, but I knew that time was gone forever. The night sky sparkled overhead, and I stared up, realizing how much clearer it was out at Talamh Lonrach Oll. There were some perks to living in a Barrow city.
“So…how’s Chase doing?” Delilah bit her lip. “Yugi’s been promoted to chief, but I don’t think anybody at the FH-CSI understood why he resigned so quickly. We can’t tell them, of course, but it really left a hole there.”
I shrugged. “He’s adapting. The spirit seal is beginning to work on him. He’s more confident, and a little more aloof. Astrid is enjoying the attention, though. She’s in the equivalent of the Fae daycare out at the Barrow and she has lots of playmates there, and loving nannies. Sharah stayed for two days to visit him. I’m not sure what went on between them, but both seemed happier by the time she had to leave.” Pausing, I motioned to Menolly. “And you? How goes it at Roman’s?”
Menolly gave me a shake of the head. “I’ve never had to deal with so much formality in my life. But I will say this, living among vampires has helped me. I don’t feel so—alien. Nerissa is adapting. I think she could adapt to just about anything. And she has a way of winning people over. I think they like her more than me.” With that, she laughed. “Oh, trust me,” she added, leaning back against the steps and folding her hands under her head, “it’s a drastic change, but I think we’ll be okay. I’m able to spend more time with Erin, too. I have a feeling about her…she’s going to make a mark on society one day.”
“Grandmother Coyote predicted as much, early on.” Delilah handed Maggie to me and I snuggled her to my chest.