The Queen Of Death and Ruins

High Commander

I was beginning to regret asking my mother to start planning the ceremony.

If I had known it would be this hectic, I would have stayed back with my adoptive parents. When I came back —without anyone knowing I was gone in the first place— my mother told me they were preparing to crown me as High Commander. I didn't think much of it, but as I saw the state of the castle as the preparations were underway, I even went as far as asking Isaiah to take me back to Lixierra. Unfortunately for me, that couldn't be done either, as my mentor informed me that school would be out for the next month, both in mourning for the fallen Mystics and for the crowning ceremony.

So for the next week, all I had to look forward to was dress rehearsals, dance lessons and speech writing.

I missed the trials.

"The royal families will be arriving later this evening. Make sure you're presentable and ready to greet them by then." Aesira was no less excited than our mother. Well, excited would be one way to put it I suppose. My sister was frantic, running around the castle adjusting the details of the ceremony, calling the caterers to change the menu for the 100th time, portaling to the academy to oversee the reconstructions underway, and showing up in my room at odd hours to present me with more dress options. I didn't even want to know where she got her energy from.

"I'll be ready." I nodded.

"And let Caelum know too." She lifted her head from her planner long enough to give me a smirk. "He's expected to be there as well."

"Yes ma'am." I saluted her.

Turning around to leave her office, I stopped at the door and took a good look at my sister. She was always the studious one, even her twin brother was amazed with her work ethic and determination. He would never admit to it but I was sure he was the tiniest bit jealous too.

"You're going to make a great queen."

She lifted her head up again, a look I couldn't decipher shot through her eyes before disappearing all too quickly.

"Thank you,” she whispered. "I'll do my best."

"I know you will."

As I walked back to my room I stole a quick glance at my wrist watch. It was already 4 PM and the guests were expected to be here by dinner time. I quickened my pace, stopping briefly by Caelum's wing to let him know he should get ready too.

"You look beautiful." Dad leaned down slightly to whisper in my ear. We were standing at the foyer, the king and queen, the twins, Caelum and I. Usually the guests would be welcomed by the high ranking members of staff and led to the throne room to greet the royals, but since our guests were royals themselves, protocol dictated we greet them ourselves. I wasn't too bothered by it since it meant I got to see Zephyr and Kira again. A pang shot through my heart once I remembered the royal family of Aitheria would be missing a member tonight.

"Thank you."

I ran my hands down my sapphire suit. It was formal and elegant and a welcome reprieve from all of the dresses I had to parade around this week. I made a mental note to thank Aesira again for picking it out for me.

The blaring sounds of the drums, trumpets and saxophone announced the long awaited arrival of the royals, and the gates of the castle opened wide. The three shimmering portals —incredibly synchronized— first made way for the royal guards from the different kingdoms. Solaris in their gold and white uniforms, followed by the guards of Astraeus decked in royal purple and soft silver and Aitheria in their emerald green and soft lilac attires. Each uniform represented the colors of the Cosmos and the crystals that corresponded to each kingdom, and as I looked at our guards, adorned in Silver suits speckled with light blue, I felt a newfound appreciation for the small details that made our world.