Abyss - Book Five of the Alpha Series - MxM

Chapter 15 (M)

Giving myself permission to no longer like Esmeralda, I feel like a scolded child more than a nephew taking advice from his aunt. Tomas reads my mind, placing a hand on my warlord's shoulder, preventing him from following me onto the balcony. 

Stepping out onto the stone, I near the banister, waiting for the walls to close just as they had in the throne room. Yet, with each step, it's as if I'm getting further away from the feelings of dread. The air is fresh and crisp, the sky a glorious blue, as if nature itself was honoring me.

The cheers are below me, they do not threaten to drown me out, and as I take in the expanse of people, I feel that sense of pride returning. This was why I had chosen to do this; they needed to see me. Among them, standing before them, I felt safer and more accepted than I ever had inside these stone walls. 

Raising my hand, I adjust my crown and call for silence. "People of Romania. I stand before you today, not as your prince, but as your King."

"Honor the Good King!" They chant back.

I raise my hand once more, calling for silence. "There is not a person alive who has fought for this country as I have; there are few who love this country as much as I do."

Would they still love me when I was the one collecting their taxes?

When I beheaded the traitors?

When I took us to war?

Did they even understand what this meant for them?

"Life doesn't always go as one would expect. I did not intend to stand before you as your King, for as a Solomonari, my oath is to remain humble. I've been taught to honor all life and help sustain the balance. But a calling such as this deserves to be answered. Today, I take a new oath to dedicate my life as the servant of this fine nation. I intend to question our need for a monarchy, I intend to right the wrongs of our old King, my father's depravity will not go unchecked."

From the corner of my eye, I note Esmeralda pinching the bridge of her nose in frustration. It motivates me to keep going, if she wanted me to speak my truth, I would lay it before them while I still had breath in my lungs. 

"The Empire is at our doorstep, and I have seen them firsthand. We will not tolerate more senseless bloodshed on our land for the sake of violence and greed. We will respond to the call to battle, but be reborn in an alliance with our brothers and sisters. We will form partnerships with those around us and bond our nations against the great power that looms over us. The nations will unite against this great evil, and the kingdoms of Magic, Elf, and Man will know peace once more.

 I swear it."

The crowd cheers, and I feel the adrenaline running through my veins.

"Too long have we been 'us' and 'them', we are a nation united, and what they don't realize is that we outnumber them! We will fight the Empire, and we will emerge victorious!"

I raise my fist, and the roar of the crowd is deafening.

 Esmeralda purses her lips, chewing on her knuckle as she crosses her arms over her chest. Unimpressed with her level of stress, I exit the balcony.

"Is all of that nonsense truly what you believe? Did you even hear yourself? What do you think our supporters will say when they hear there will be no monarchy? We are already at a disadvantage with no heirs-"

Verando steps in between us, cutting her off while looming over her like a statue of malice. "I believe His Grace has had enough for one day. If you'll excuse us—" Gesturing for her to depart, Tomas closes the curtains and waggles his eyebrows at the offended woman, who seems to be trying to decide if I cared enough to correct him.