Nyx | Carpe Noctem ✓

Chapter 68: The Coronation

∙  Madis POV  ∙

"What are you thinking, Madis?" I heard Dalia ask behind me and slowly looked at her over my shoulder. I drew in a deep inhale, pulled one shoulder up and shrugged.

"I am thinkning......I think I cannot do this. I cannot be a High Lady. I am barely nineteen years old and have no idea of politics. How should I rule over a court? A position like this is not appropriate for me, for someone so young and inexperienced." Breea left Noora's embrace, hopped to her feet and followed by her girlfriend waddled over to me.

"That is bullshit, you will be—"

"I won't. I cannot do this. I think I am not ready."

"But Feyre—" Dalia started but I cut her off. "I am not Feyre. I am not like her. And I will never be like her." Noora took my hands in hers, crouching down in front of me and looking into my eyes. "I understand that. I understand your concern. And you don't have to be like Feyre in order to be great. Madis, you are amazing, kind and respectful. You have a big heart and you are one of the smartest people I have ever met in my entire life. You have become my best friend, part of my family. And I am 100% sure that you can do this. That you will be a great High Lady. I know it. Everyone know is. Feyre would not hand down her whole power to you, if she did not believe that either!" Dalia and Breea nodded next to Noora, smiling at me. The latter and braced her hand on Noora's shoulder.

"I think so, too. And you don't have to do everything perfect. You can mess up some things, no one expects you to do everything perfectly from the beginning on. Even if you are a High Lady, you are allowed to make mistakes. My parents made mistakes, but that does not mean they are a bad rulers. You will be fine, Madis. I know it." Tears were burning in my eyes I hopped to my feet and wrapped all three of them into my arms.

"And you have Nyx at your side," Dalia added when I let them slip out of my tight embrace.

"I do." I smiled, but Noora could read me just too well and asked, "What is it?"
"He doesn't handle losing Feyre and Rhys that well. They are still here, of course, but just the thought of them no longer being here destroys him."

"My father is really affected by it as well. So is uncle Az. He came over the other day and they just talked for hours." Noora averts her gaze, looking at the window across from her. "It has always been them, they have been through so much together, for centuries. I think it is just difficult to accept that things will change." I nodded, a single tear slipping out of my eye when I swallowed, my throat burning.

"No sad feelings now, you will ruin your beautiful make-up and I don't want you sobbing at your coronation!" Dalia then said, smiling brightly when she cupped my face in her hands and eyed me. "You look so beautiful, Madis, and I can't express how happy I am that at one point the two of us will be ruling over a part of Prythian next to one another. Spring and Night, finally in peace."

That made me smile as well, because deep inside my heart I knew many things would change when Nyx and I became High Lords and also Prythian would change.

∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙

I knelt next to Nyx on the step in front of the altar where the priestesses were standing. Feyre and Rhysand stepped up behind us, both placing a hand on our shoulder. The whole Hewn City, many inhabitants of the Night Court, all High Lords and their children as well as all our friends were present. Dalia, Andras, Iris, Finja, Brokk, Firo, Breea, Noora, Eve, Loran, Arkon, Brilla, Aesa and Geavin, Lucien, Elain, Tamlin and Sola, Eris and Anissa, Kallias and Viviana, Azriel and Gwyn, Cassian and Nesta. As well as Loi. Keir and his wife.

My heart beat rapidly in my chest, cool sweat breaking out on the back of my neck. But at the first sound of the music I looked over to Nyx, to my mate, and smiled. I had doubts earlier and I was still incredibly nervous about what would come and the whole responsibility, but I was ready. I could do it, I was more sure of it now.