Crown of the Eternals

14

As soon as she woke up the next morning, Auri nearly ran to her mother's room. She knew the moment she opened the door that Will must have come back at some point during the night and figured something out, though, as her mother was no longer inside. She wandered the halls and asked a few Fae warriors if they had seen Will, and eventually found one that told her Will was having breakfast with her aunt to check in on her health after last night.

Last night... it seemed like so much had happened last night, but Mysteis could not learn about it.

Auri walked into the family dining chamber just as Mysteis was asking her mother, "But I thought the queen's birthday was not until next month?"

"It isn't," Pevana replied, "but if the queen will allow me to come now, it may give me some time to truly show her my remorse for everything that has happened. I have not seen her in a long time, Mysty. I may just be able to make some amends before the rest of her guests arrive. It would be good for our kingdom."

"And you're determined to go, Pevana? It feels like you just got back home."

Pevana smiled at her sister, and Auri was relieved to see that she looked like herself again. That did not mean she would be able to forget everything that she had said and done. The things she had threatened and the life she had taken.

"I know what you're really asking me, Mysty, and the answer is yes. I am giving up the throne. I know I am not suited to it without Kavras, and after everything I have been through. But I would still like to do something useful for the kingdom. Going to the Realm to represent our family at the queen's celebration would help foster good relations with the Fae. It's the least I could do."

Auri glanced at Will, surprised by the pronouncement, but it still seemed as if none of them had realized she had entered the room. Will did not seem bothered, though, which made Auri think he had already known this was something Pevana wanted to do.

Then it struck her: Maybe it was something that the Fae wanted Pevana to do. That would make sense, given the power Pevana had displayed. Who better to understand rogue uses of magic than the Fae?

Mysteis was tilting her head, her eyes slightly narrowed as if she suspected that this was all a trick. "If you wish to go, I will not stop you. On the count of the crown, though, I feel like more discussion must be had."

"And thankfully, the princess has joined us," Will said, smiling over at Auri as she slid into a chair at the table, "so she can be involved in the discussion as well, as it might very well involve her."

Mysteis glanced at Auri, then at Will. "How fortunate indeed that all the members needed for such a decision have arrived at the proper time."

Will just dipped his head in agreement.

Mysteis tapped a finger against her glass, looking back at her sister now. "Pevana, you told me only yesterday that you wanted the crown back. Now you're telling me you are not suited for it. What am I meant to believe?"

"That I will not be changing my mind again," Pevana replied firmly. "Times are too uncertain for our kingdom right now to have a ruler as... unstable as I am, and fear I might be for a while in the aftermath of... everything."

Mysteis' finger paused on the glass, and Auri watched her carefully. She noticed that Mysteis' fingernails were long and polished a burgundy that nearly matched the tint in her eyes. Today she was wearing silver eyeshadow dusted over her heavy eyelids and thick lines of kohl along the line where her lid met her lashes. She looked ominous and intimidating, but not necessarily like a queen. It was like she was trying too hard.

"That is all well and good if it is your decision," Mysteis said slowly, weighing out each word, "but that does not determine who takes the crown in your stead."