How To Be A Queen (Myths Finding Love #1)

Chapter 24 - The Coronation

© All rights reserved for How to be a Queen. This story is based on Greek Mythology however the plot and some characters are ORIGINAL and all MY OWN WORK. These are the products of my imagination and countless hours spent writing. Please do not copy/ reproduce in any way.

CHAPTER 24 - THE CORONATION

The Throne Room
Hades' Palace

The Underworld

-Hades-

Her vows echoed through my head... over and over again like some sort of mantra.

With each repetition, more and more warmth spread throughout my entire body. For the first time in years, I felt alive. I felt as if suddenly I am seeing the world through another pair of eyes. I felt like I was in a different world - one where I wasn't alone and miserable anymore.

Everything has been perfect so far.

And I would just like to say that even though it took centuries, everything has been worth the wait. I would gladly take every second of loneliness and misery again if I knew that it would all lead to this.

Zeus stepped down from the altar and it vanished. The two thrones behind it were now the center of attention. One throne was bigger than the other but both were made of gold and inlaid with the largest and rarest gems. I asked my servants to place a cushion made of ermine on Aerith's throne so that she will be comfortable.

I let go of Aerith's hand and walked towards the thrones. A hushed silence fell among the gods and goddesses and they all took their seats.

Now... It's time to crown my queen.

With a nod of my head, I beckoned Aerith towards me and she obliged. She took slow, careful steps and ascended towards the raised platform that held both thrones. Slowly, I took her hand in mine and then covered my palm with hers. Then I raised our hands chest-level and breathed in deep.

"Aerith, as my wife, you are now my equal and the keeper of my household. Today, I shall crown you as my queen." Her eyes widened as she took in my words. I gave her hand a gentle squeeze for encouragement.

"Do you swear to do everything in your power to uphold the rules and customs of the Underworld?"

"I do."

"Do you swear to always rule fairly and without bias?"

"I do."

"Do you swear to fulfill all duties required of you as queen and never turn your back on your loyal subjects?"

She visibly swallowed. "I do."

"Do you swear to do everything wholeheartedly and to give your best in everything you do?"

"I do."

"Do you swear your full and unending loyalty to your king, to your kingdom and to your subjects?"

"I do."

By this time, my heart felt like it was too big for my chest. I was sure that my eyes shone with pride for this woman standing before me.

I channeled all my energy and directed it towards our clasped hands. I felt all my power and transformed it into a vast cord that sought to connect with her and share its energy. A glowing blue ball of light emanated from my hand which I turned into a rope that wrapped around our palms and then to Aerith's arms and then continued to wrap itself around her body until she was suffused with a soft glow.

My power pulsed against our bodies and I heard Aerith's gasp as she absorbed her new power. After a few heart-stopping seconds, the light began to fade.When all returned to normal, I smiled down at her, took her hand once more and led her towards the thrones. I gestured for her to sit and she did.

Leandro approached us bearing a golden box.

I opened the lid and took out the crown that was nestled in velvet. Hephaestus made it from Archite which was melted and mixed with pure gold so that it was a golden color instead of silver. The rarest black diamonds adorned the spikes. The biggest one was in the center and then surrounded by smaller stones.

It was identical to the one I wore except that mine was a circlet that sat atop my head.

I lifted her crown from the box and then stood before her.

"I now pronounce you, Queen of the Underworld," I said with pride and settled the crown on top of her head. It fit her perfectly and made her shine more. Right now, she shone so bright that others paled in comparison.

And with those final words, a huge pulse of power emanated from both of us and spanned the throne room. It moved forward until the entire Underworld felt it. Loud cries and cheers echoed not only inside the throne room but throughout the entire castle and then also from the outside as shades cheered to acknowledge their new queen. The ground shook with their cheers and I'm sure the mortal world felt it as well.

I sat on the other throne and reached for her hand again.

And that was it.

There's two of us now: a king and a queen, husband and wife.

I clapped my hands and silence ensued.

"Let the festivities begin!" I shouted.

Music began playing and the large double doors opened. Servants bearing large trays of food and drink entered. The rows of seats cleared to make way for large tables and a place where the gods and goddesses can dance.

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