The Blood Spell (Ravenspire, #4)(117)
“Welcome!” The queen’s voice filled the room, and the crowd went silent. “We are here for three reasons. First, to confirm the rumors that the dreaded blood wraith is dead, and our kingdom is free of the fear that she will haunt our streets.”
Cheers rose from the crowd, and a few people close to Blue leaned in to whisper their gratitude. It was clear that the rumors of the wraith’s death had also included quite a few stories of Blue’s involvement in it all.
Kellan’s smile widened.
“Second, we are here to confer upon Princess Vanessa the Royal Heart honor, a title usually reserved for heroes within our army who distinguish themselves in battle. In this case, Princess Vanessa went into battle on her own, determined to follow the wraith, rescue her friend, and destroy the monster who has caused our kingdom so much pain. She was hurt in her battle, but she persevered and, in the end, saved the life of the person who managed to kill the wraith.”
Nessa’s mouth dropped open, and she signed rapidly as her mother nodded for the guard closest to her to present the large purple iron heart pendant to the princess. The queen smiled. “The princess thanks her kingdom for this honor and assures us she’d do it again, but that she’s really glad she won’t have to.”
The crowd clapped enthusiastically for Nessa, who grinned as she fastened the pendant around her neck.
The queen continued, “Finally, we are here to complete the betrothal announcement that was interrupted at my son’s ball three nights ago. Due to the unprecedented event of the wraith’s appearance and subsequent defeat at the hands of a marriage-eligible girl in our kingdom, the throne is invoking a betrothal by trial.”
An audible gasp swept the room, and several members of the head families looked furious. Someone sidled up to Blue and said softly, “You belong together, you know. Anyone with eyes can see it.”
Blue turned to see one of Gen Gaillard’s cousins. Julia or Janelle. Blue could never tell the twins apart. Her hair was swept to the side, her golden skin glowing against her blue gown, though her eyes look red-rimmed and exhausted. “Thank you,” Blue said.
“No, thank you. What you did was incredibly selfless and brave. You’ll make an amazing queen.”
Queen.
Blue’s heart thudded against her chest as she raised her eyes to Kellan’s again. How was she supposed to be a queen? She knew nothing about ruling. Nothing about playing political games or flattering people. Her hands shook as she pressed them together. She would be a disaster.
Kellan stepped forward, the dancing slipper held in front of him. “This betrothal trial recognizes that a queen should be courageous, intelligent, selfless, and willing to do whatever it takes to protect the people in her kingdom.”
Blue’s nerves settled as he held her gaze, his eyes soft.
“The dancing slipper I hold was worn by the person who defeated the blood wraith at great personal sacrifice. She lost the shoe outside the witch’s cottage the night of the ball. The betrothal trial states that I will only marry the girl whose foot fits this slipper.”
Blue’s brow rose. Any number of girls could fit that slipper.
Kellan sent her a look that clearly told her to trust him as parents rushed to line their daughters up ahead of their competition. Blue watched in bemusement as girl after girl stepped up to Kellan and tried to put her foot inside the shoe.
For one, the slipper lengthened until her foot slid right out as she tried to take a step. For another, it shrank until she could barely wedge her toes inside. Every girl in the kingdom stepped up to try on the slipper, and every girl failed to fit her foot inside the shoe.
When Blue was the last girl left, she stepped up to Kellan, the fizzy feeling in her veins sparkling like sunlight on water as he knelt before her and offered her the slipper. She rested one hand on his shoulder for balance and slid her foot into the shoe.
It fit perfectly.
The crowd erupted, but Blue didn’t see anything but Kellan. Looking up at her, he said, “Blue de la Cour, this betrothal trial recognizes you as the bravest, smartest, most selfless person in the kingdom. You are the rightful next queen. Would you do me the honor of accepting my proposal?”
She leaned down, her lips a breath away from his, and said, “Yes.”
He rose to his feet, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her. And then there was nothing but the taste of his lips, the heat of his skin, and the steady beat of his heart.
EPILOGUE
IF BLUE HAD to make one more decision—seven-tiered cake or eight? rose centerpieces or finola blooms? candles or antique lanterns?—she was going to scream. Add to that regular sessions with a tutor to train Blue on royal etiquette in Balavata and the other nine kingdoms, political maneuvering within Balavata’s system of government, and all the many, many duties of a queen, and nearly every hour of her days was spoken for.
Those that weren’t taken up with wedding planning and queen training were devoted to meeting with various heads of the royal staff, brunches with the head families, observing council meetings, and dress fittings with the royal seamstress since Grand-mere’s magic dresses only lasted four hours and apparently Blue’s wedding was going to be an all-day affair.
What she wouldn’t give for one hour in her storeroom chopping up bolla root and experimenting with snake venom. Or a trip to her farmhouse just to sit in the garden and let the plants tell her which ones needed harvesting.