Within their dreams (Reverse Harem)

Chapter 46

Ivy's POV

"I'm going to be sick."

"Don't be dramatic," Scarlette laughs, tossing her hair over her shoulder. She continues messing with my hair, tugging on my strands as she glances at the clock.

"It's a coronation, she can be a little dramatic." Willow fixes my dress, standing up and sending me a grin.

"It's a two-minute ceremony, you'll be fine." Scarlette tuts.

"In front of the entire realm," Isabella adds, fluffing her hair in the mirror, staring at us through the mirror.

"Oh god." I wrap my arms around myself, willing myself not to throw up.

Scarlette huffs, walking in front of me and placing her hands on my shoulders.

"You are about to become Queen. You've got this."

She turns me to the full-length mirror and I gasp.

I'm draped in an emerald green beaded gown that flares at my waist into a sheer lace that shows off my legs. The bodice laces in the front, pushing my breasts high, the material stretching out across my shoulders and down my arms into sleeves that flare at the elbow edged with lace.

Scarlette has left my hair long, but instead braided various strands and pinned jewels and green ribbon into each one so that I glitter each time I move. Willow places a hand on my arm, pulling me out of my daze.

"Are you ready?"

"Not even a little bit."

"Great," Scarlette grins. "Let's go." She tugs me out of the room, the guards standing up straight and bowing as I step out.

We make our way to the ballroom, an army of guards at our backs. The girls enter first, giving me a hug before slipping into the room. A fresh wave of nerves hits me and I close my eyes and attempt to settle my breathing. I can feel Leo and Owen's reassurance pulsing down the bond, helping me clear my head of all the negative thoughts that have been swirling in my mind for the past few hours. After a few moments music begins to play and the doors open once more.

All eyes swing to me as I enter, walking up the aisle towards the dais. A third one has been added, just as regal as the other two. Leo and Owen have already taken their seats but they stand as I enter, leaving the one in the middle for me.

They look gorgeous, each wearing a tailored black suit with a green handkerchief in their breast pocket. I don't know how they even had time to shower, let alone change. They've spent the last few hours bossing the staff around to set up this last minute coronation. My eyes sweep over the crowd.

The council stands in front, their faces blank. Everyone else tries to inch closer to get a better look. As I continue walking, I wonder how many of them were irritated to drop their plans for the day to come here. I don't like the idea of beginning my reign on a bad note. Reign. I let out a shaky breath. Today I'm going to become a queen. Nothing could have prepared me for this. I've pinched myself at least ten times today to check this is real.

A guard helps me up the steps to the throne, my heels clicking against the hard stone beneath us. A hushed whisper falls over the crowd, but it falls away as my eyes meet theirs. They both give me a smile that I return, the nerves washing away.

I take my seat and a man steps out, with three maids behind him, each holding a crown.

"Do you each solemnly swear to protect and serve the realm, fight for the goodness of your people and put them before all else?"

"We do," we chant in unison as the crowd roars in shouts and applause. The maids stand behind us and one by one place a crown on our heads. We stand, and I look at each of them, holding out my hands. Our palms intertwine, our magic melting into each other. We make our way to the floor, the crowd moving to form a dancefloor. Music begins to play and Owen pulls me in for a dance first, as the realm watches. His crown glints in the light as we twirl, his hands heating my waist, pulling me in closer. The rest of the crowd slowly joins in, pulling their partners to the dancefloor.

"Are you happy?"

I look up at Owen in surprise.

"Of course I am." I pause, dropping my voice. "Are you?"

"You've made me the happiest man alive."

Warmth blooms in my chest as I blush.

"I love you."

"I love you more."

"Uh hem." Leo clears his throat, holding out his hand.

"May I get to dance with our mate now brother, or will you hog her all night?"

"What if I do?" He sticks out his tongue making me laugh. I untangle myself from his grasp, taking Leo's hand.

"I'd love to dance."

Owen is pulled to the side by a crowd of giggling women. Possessiveness flares in my chest and Owen winks at me, grinning as no doubt he can feel it through the bond.

I'm all yours, baby.

"You look breathtaking." My gaze falls to Leo.

"Although," he brings his face to my ear. "I'd love to see you in nothing but your crown."

Heat pools in my stomach.

"And how long are we supposed to stay here for?"

"At least a few hours." He spins me. "Or until no one is paying attention to us."

I laugh at that. "It's our coronation Leo, everyone is paying attention to us."

"That's true," he says with a smile. He looks over my head, nodding his head.

A loud crash sounds throughout the ballroom. All heads turn to the shattered champagne spilled all over the floor, Willow stood next to it with a guilty expression. As everyone flurries to the commotion, she catches our gaze, shooing us away with a wink.

I feel a tug of my hand as Leo guides us away, slipping out of the ballroom, Owen following close behind.

We run through the halls, laughing even as guards try to get us to return. We hid in a dark corridor, catching our breath.

"We can't sneak out of our own coronation!"

"We're the rulers now, we can do anything we want." Owen spins me in his arms.

"Oh my god, we are. We really are in charge."

"Technically, we've always been in charge," Leo smirks.

"But now it's official. Oh god" I look up at them. "What if I'm awful?"

"You're going to be fine." Owen cups my cheek. "We'll do it all together."

I kiss him softly, turning to pull Leo in for a kiss too.

"Together."