Discovery: Altera Realm Trilogy (56 page)

What I don't get is if she's so mad about it, why she doesn't try to take the throne back from the Vilori line? It was originally our line that sat on the Magic User throne. My mother doesn't like to talk about it, but I've heard some gossip around that my great-grandmother gave the throne to the Vilori after bonding with my great-grandfather. After that they left the Village, and only my great-grandfather returned years later. It was all very odd, but there was no real way to find out what had happened. I asked about their journals, but mother told me to mind my curiosity. She said it was unbecoming of a young royal and a young lady to ask so many questions. Hogwash!

Thirtieth Day of Pyanepsion during the 1998th Year

Now I am finally happy! Once my parents realized they had made the grievous mistake of forgetting my birthday, they offered me anything I wanted as a present. I thought about it for a while, but I could only come up with one thing I really wanted. And they actually gave it to me! I went with my mother—just me, no Faith—to the Great Races Council meeting yesterday. It was
amazing
! I had to stay up in the balcony, but I got a real good view of all the other races. I knew Queen Aaliyah, of course, and Cypress, the head of the Royal Guard. So I spent most of the time checking out the other heads of the races. They all sat below me in large stone chairs. The Daemon king was a large man, almost as large as some of the Lycins. He had black eyes and black hair. The most interesting thing about him, however, was his mannerisms. He seemed to move like liquid; every gesture or shift was so fluid. I had heard that the Daemons are very powerful. They have the ability to use magics without even using spells. I also had heard how dangerous they are. Basil, my Protector, once told me all about the death grip, something I hoped never to see firsthand.

The Shifter king also was very large, but his movements showed it. Every movement he made was clunky, and he huffed a lot. I knew all of the royal Shifters were big cats, and I assumed he was a lion based not only on his name but also by the bushy hair on his head and his face. His hair was a golden blond, which stood out against his tanned skin. I noticed that he got angry quiet frequently, which isn't a good trait for a leader to possess.

I had been so busy studying the two kings that I almost forgot the last one. And that's when things got weird. When I looked over at the Vampire king, I found myself staring straight into his golden eyes. He was sitting lazily in his chair, even slumped down, which isn't something a ruler should do, ever. The balcony was high, so we were a pretty good distance apart, but there was no mistaking the fact that he was staring straight at me. My heart pounded as I willed myself to look away, but I couldn't. There was something mesmerizing in his look.

"Gabriel! Are you even listening?" Queen Aalyiah yelled .

"I am," he said nonchalantly as he finally looked away from me. "And I disagree."

I had no idea what they were talking about, but I didn't care very much either. Once the meeting ended, my mother and I went with the Village's caravan back home. I didn't get to see anyone as we left, which made me feel a little sad. Now, as I write this, my brain is working overtime, trying to figure out a way to see that Vampire king one more time. It may sound crazy, but I felt some kind of connection, even as far away as we were. All I know is that I have to see him again. I'm just not sure how.

Helen

Helen headed into the library as she had every day for the past three weeks, prepared to sit for a while before declaring that Syney must still be feeling sick. It had worked pretty well and even elicited a few "Make sure she gets well"s from random people in the library. But today she stopped dead in her tracks as she walked in. Syney was there, her nose in a small leather-bound book. Helen almost jumped for joy. She dropped her book on the desk and sat down across from Syney.

Syney looked at her and smiled. "Hey, teach."

"Syney." Helen returned the smile. "How are you? I mean, really?" she asked quietly. "Before you left, you...well..."

"I'm good," Syney placed her hand on top of Helen's. "It's all better now. I promise."

"Well, I have to say that I'm over the moon that you're finally back. My mother has been on my case about your being sick. We have to start planning the coronation before she cancels it completely."

Syney laughed. "Helen, calm down. One thing at a time, OK? What do we have to do to plan the damn thing?"

Helen took a deep sigh. "I'm so happy you're back."

"Me too."

"OK, so I've been working with Noelle on the clothes. They're all ordered and ready to go. So all we have left is the ceremony itself, like the prayers you
want and the music. You also have to choose a crown. Oh, and you have to choose your witnesses."

"Isn't everyone going to witness this thing?"

"Well, everyone in the palace, and then you have to be presented to the rest of the Village," Helen said, pulling out the notebook she had been using for all things coronation. "But the witnesses are a tradition. They're almost like sponsors. You have to choose five people who stand up with you. They each have to present a reason for you to become seated queen."

That was always Helen's favorite part of any coronation. She loved all of the symbolism that those people represented. She had been to a few coronations, including her own when she was crowned seated princess. All royals in the Head of House lines were crowned when they turned sixteen. Her coronation had been one of her most amazing moments. She couldn't believe it had been almost ten years ago.

"You know, this would be much easier if I'd actually seen one of these things," Syney said, looking over the pile of sheet music Helen had handed her. "I don't even know how to read this stuff."

Helen nodded. "You're right. It would be easier." She sighed. Syney needed more than just her to help plan this thing. She needed other people who also had been to coronations. She could ask Cass, but her little sister had retreated into her room and barely had come out after Raine had been put to death. Helen had tried to talk to her, but Cass just stared at her and walked away. She was worried, but she didn't know what to do. Having her help with this didn't seem like the right idea. Adanna was totally out of the question. Helen would have expected some nasty comments if she even asked. So who else was there? Someone outside of their royal line? Maybe...

"Maybe we can work on this later, with some...people who have been to coronations," Helen said slowly. She hoped like hell that Syney would fill in the blanks.

Syney nodded. "Cool. Who you got in mind?"

"Um... We could do a private dinner. Just the four of us."

Syney stared at her. "Sure, the four of us. Yeah, that sounds good."

Helen smiled. "Great! We'll come by your room then. Around seven?"

"Uh-huh."

Helen gathered her books and told Syney she would see her later. She hurried out mainly because she wanted to tell Leaf as soon as she could. The idea of this double date really excited her. She knew he was in the gym. He had a training session in the middle of the day. But she also knew he could easily slip away for a few moments if she caught his eye. She stopped in the doorway of the gym and tilted her head to the side when he saw her. It was their little secret
code. She headed straight into the storage room down the hall, making sure no one saw her go in.

A few moments later, Leaf walked in. "Is everything all right?"

"Everything is great. I just wanted to tell you that we have dinner plans."

He tucked some of her dark brown hair behind her ear. "We usually do."

"Not alone this time."

He let his hand drop as he stared at her. "What did you do, Helen?"

"Nothing! I swear! I was just planning Syney's coronation with her, and we decided we should get some help from people who have been to one of our coronations. And from there I just suggested that me, you, Syney, and Hunter have dinner."

"That won't be an awkward table in the dining hall."

"Oh, ha. You're making jokes now." She lightly swatted at him. "I told her we'd meet them in her room."

"This isn't a good idea."

Helen sighed and put her hands on his chest. "I hate the fact that I can't tell anyone how much in love I am with you. Syney and Hunter already know about us." She paused, looking up at him. "It'll be nice not to have to pretend anything and just be together, at least for the night."

Leaf pulled her toward him into an embrace. "For the record I still don't think this is a good idea. But I'll come."

Helen smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. "You're going to have fun! I promise!"

Which is what she kept saying to him as they carried four trays of food to Syney's room. She glared at him as she kicked at the door, since their hands were full. "Could you not look so grumpy?"

"This is uncomfortable, so you get an uncomfortable face," he grumbled.

Helen rolled her eyes as Syney opened the door.

Syney smiled at them both. "Hey, you two! Come on in," she said slowly but a little too excitedly.

Leaf and Helen walked past her as she shut the door behind them. Hunter jumped up from the couch and took the trays from Helen. He and Leaf set the trays on the small table between the two couches and took a seat on either one. They both looked at each other briefly before looking at their respective...girlfriends. Helen wasn't sure if she was OK with the term, but what else could she call herself? His lover? While technically correct, she didn't like that word either. She shook the inner debate out of her head and sat next to Leaf, while Syney sat across from her. The four sat in awkward silence for a while. Both men shifted uncomfortably while Syney smiled at all of them.

Finally Helen could no longer take the silence. "OK, so we could all just sit here silently, or we could just act normal, which doesn't seem like such a bad thing, right? We're all friends. Nothing's changed."

"Friends with benefits," Syney said, which earned a stern look from Hunter. "What? I can't joke? It's how I defuse awkwardness."

"I thought it was funny," Helen said.

"No, you didn't, but thanks." She looked over at Hunter and Leaf. "Helen's right. Let's just relax," Syney said, opening one of the trays and eating a forkful of food.

Both men followed suit, slowly and silently. Helen smiled. This wasn't going exactly the way she wanted, but at least it was happening.

"So...confession," Syney said around some food. "I had no idea what you were talking about this afternoon. I was a little scared that the other two you wanted us to eat with were your mother and Adanna."

"Oh." Helen looked at Hunter. "I assumed Hunter would have told you about Leaf and me."

"It wasn't my place to say anything," he said, glancing up at Helen.

"But I think it's great!" Syney exclaimed. "You two are perfect together." She placed a hand on Hunter's thigh.

"So are you," Helen said, mimicking the gesture on Leaf's leg.

Both men stood up in a hurry.

"You know this is just—" Hunter started.

"A bad idea," Leaf finished.

"OK, OK," Helen said. "No relationship talk. Just coronation stuff. Let's go over the music."

"Right!" Syney reached over and grabbed the stack of music. "Which ones—sit down, both of you!" She continued when they both complied. "Which ones are the usual?"

"Usually during the actual crowning it's
'Suscipiat Novum Regina,' "
Helen said, pointing to the top paper.

Both Hunter and Leaf scoffed.

"What? Not good? This is where I need help, guys," Syney said, looking at both of them.

Hunter sighed. "It's...not very pleasant to the ears, especially Lycin ears."

"It's high pitched and a little screeching," Leaf added.

"Well, then, that's out," Syney said, moving to the next song. "Um,
'Novum Regina Oritur'?"

"It goes on forever," Hunter said.

"I have to agree on that one. Adanna had that for her crowning as seated princess. She wanted more time for people to stare at her," Helen said, taking a bite of her food.

"Is there any good music here?" Syney asked, shuffling the papers.

"What about the song you used?" Leaf asked, looking at Helen.

"I actually liked that song," Hunter agreed.

"Oh, really? That was very nontraditional. I was pretty sure I saw steam come out of my mother's ears."

"That's perfect! I'll use it!" Syney smiled.

"It was a song my father sang to me when I was a girl. There's a story that went along with it about a young girl who finds her prince." Helen felt her face grow warm as she glanced at Leaf.

"Even better," Syney said quietly. "So I want to ask all of you something." She paused. "Would you be my witnesses?"

Hunter and Leaf both shifted but stayed quiet.

Helen smiled. The thought was so nice that she didn't want to burst her bubble, but she had to. "I would be honored, but..." She looked at Leaf and then Hunter. "...witnesses have to be royal, and Magic Users."

"Is that a rule or just a custom?"