Flame of Frost (The Caelestian Chronicles: Book #1)

Chapter 28 - The Crowning

"Now," Shree announces, quieting down the crowd, "Lady Magna and Lady Everette will bestow their blessings upon the Heir."

Kindra and Arctica shuffle forward from their seated group of Highbloods, the tulle gowns of their respective colors of scarlet and gold, and sky blue and silver, trailing behind them. They both glance at each other, grinning and climbing upon the platform, no doubt sharing some inside joke or something.

Shree steps out of their way and lets them stand there to face me. Kindra takes one step forward and speaks: "Princess Alexandra, Heir of Caelestis, born of fire and ash, provider of warmth and light. I, Kindra Magna, hereby bless you with the power that represents Ignitas Highbloods, change and hope."

Yes, it represents change all right, perhaps temper too.

Kindra cups her palms together and I see a sunset gold spark inside it, then she opens her fingers and pushes it towards me. The spark moves forward and caresses me just below the center of my clavicle and bursts into amber flames, drawing collective gasps from the crowd. The flames move around my collar to the nape of my neck, forming a bond and tickling my skin. They finally vanish with a poof, leaving a heavy chain of gold with a clink in their wake, from which hangs a pendant shaped like a water drop.

I hold it up in my palm to find shades of ruby, scarlet, and gold swirling and glittering inside the enclosed glass and metal.

"Whenever this amulet will adorn Your Highness's neck," continues Kindra with a sharp grin, "you will always find the courage to embrace change and not fear it, you will always find the spark of hope even if you are surrounded by darkness. Here, are my blessings for your future Your Highness." She curtsies and steps back, letting Arctica step forward.

"Princess Alexandra, Heir of Caelestis," Arctica begins in her sweet voice, "born of ice and snow, provider of cold and solace. I, Arctica Everette, hereby bless you with the power that represents Crystallis Highbloods, strength and stability."

Arctica, too, cups her palms together to form a small sparkling and spiraling wind full of sleet. The sleet wraps itself around the gold chain on my neck, braiding itself into the links of the chain and turns into silver. The sleet surrounding the amulet enters the enclosed glass and transforms into a big crystalline blue snowflake against the swirling flames.

"Whenever this amulet will adorn Your Highness's neck—" She gives me a warm smile, "—you will always find the unmovable strength to fight for what is right, and will also find yourself to be stable and not straying from the path of priorities. Here, are my blessings for your future Your Highness." She dips her head and steps next to Kindra.

Just say a formal 'thank you', Shree says, and say what you feel about the gifts.

I have to blink a couple of times and rack my brains for the correct words and speak: "I'm grateful for this priceless gift, Lady Everette, and Lady Magna. I know nothing but deep affection for me would have motivated you to give me something so invaluable, and I promise that I will put this gift to good use."

I look to the Queen for approval but instead find Alacritas staring at me with tears swimming in her eyes.

"We are delighted to hear—" Kindra starts.

"—that you like our gift, Your Highness," finishes Arctica, still beaming. They both give rather hasty bows and stalk off the dais.

"I kindly invite Princess Theora, ascendant of Sapieltiana, to bestow the royal sigil." Shree shocks everyone with the sudden declaration.