His Sword and Her Magic (Book Two Of the Fae Series)

Chapter Forty-five

Apollo Pov:

I stared across all the people that had come to see me get crowned as king, cringing inwardly at everyone's excited eyes as they mingled with each other. Maybe I didn't want to be king as much as I thought I did. Sure, I had greeted everyone when they came into the castle individually, but now they were all gathered in one place, their voice like a loud buzzing in my ear.

Of course, outwardly I looked fine, simply leaning against the wall will that blank look on my face. I kept my breathing even, but my heart was still beating quite loudly. The party had just begun and I already didn't want to be here, even if it was my own party. I pushed slightly off the wall, looking towards the food. Maybe Nichol brought some of her honey buns.

I examined the crowd around the long tables of food, easily picking out my sibling stuffing their faces, although Aphrodite wasn't around them. I tilted my head to the side in consideration.

Aphrodite, I said softly through the mental link. I could sense the small female hiding somewhere. I swept my gaze across the room again, finally spotting her in the corner by some decorative flowers. Are you alright? I asked her, trying my best to stop any of my own anxiety from leaking into my mind speech.

Apollo. Where are you? She asked. I could feel how nervous she was around so many people. I walked towards her, avoiding as many people as I could before crouching down in front of her. I offered her a smile, her arms quickly wrapping around my neck as I lifted her up, holding her against me. 

"I am right here," I told her aloud. She gave me a tiny smile in return, burying her head in my neck. I rubbed a small circle on her back, trying to calm her nerves.

"Thanks, big brother," she said softly, lifting her head to stare into my amber eyes. Then she glanced around. "Where Oliver and Ari?" She questioned. I made a face, lifting my lips slightly. I was mad at them both for abandoning me in the crowd. Then they had to go and leave the party without me.

"Not sure," I replied. She gave me a look.

"I know if I can sense them, you can too." She hummed. I rolled my eyes, poking her nose.

"Yeah, well they left me here, all alone," I added a bit dramatically. She poked her bottom lip out.

"Well, that's rude. You like crowds as much as I do," She said. I nodded in exasperated agreement.

"Right?" I paused, stretching my senses outwards. Everything was overwhelming as I could feel the magic from each faery, but I could tell Oliver and Ari were returning to the room. I winced slightly as a cheer rung out around the room, quickly pulling my senses back in. Aphrodite gave me a sympathetic look.

"Ouch," She mumbled quietly. I nodded in agreement, ruffling her hair. 

"What do you say we find a better corner to hide in until the ceremony actual starts," I suggested. She lifted her eyebrows in a challenging way, showing me her teeth in a smirk.

"The ceremony where you have to stand up in front of everyone while your father and mother declare you as  the king?" She questioned. I pursed my lips, gently flicking her shoulder.

"Rude. You didn't have to remind me," I muttered. She giggled softly, grabbing my hand and leading me into a shadowy corner. We spent a few moments there, just talking to each other and complaining about people and the sound. Then his voice echoed through the room.

"Hello everyone, and thank you for coming to today's ceremony!" My father called. I knew I had to leave the little hidey-hole Aphrodite and I had found. I leaned against the wall, well in view of other people, and still near the platformed area where my mother and father were standing. I could tell Ari and Oliver were in the crowd as well. "We are here to announce my son, Apollo, as the next king of the sun court!" Gabriel said, waving a hand towards me. I rolled my eyes, pushing off the wall and stepping up onto the platform beside him.

I made my expression hard, staring out over the crowd with my chin held high. The anxiety buzzing within me didn't show on my face or body. Nobody would want a king afraid of crowds. I would just have to get over my fear of talking in front of so many people, but I had a feeling it would always make me nervous. I lowered my head slightly so I didn't seem too snobby, staring at them over my nose.

"Thank you all for coming," I added, projecting my voice easily across the crowd, making sure it didn't shake.

Oliver Pov:

I stared at my mate, unable to stop the bright smile on my lips. His deep voice echoed across the room easily, his words not even shaking in the slightest. I knew his anxiety wasn't something he could so easily force down, but he was doing well.

"He's doing well," Ari commented, a slightly distant look in her eyes.

"Do you think he's mad we left him here?" I asked a bit nervously. She gave me a smirk.

"Yes. Maybe he will try harder in our next spar to get his revenge," She purred, licking her teeth. I gave her a look.

"How much do you want to get beat up?" I asked her, lifting an eyebrow. She shifted her dance.

"I just want him to try his fullest, instead of going easy on me," She said, crossing her arms slightly.

"What, so he isn't trying his hardest when he fights you?" I asked, slightly appalled. Their movements were always so fast when they fought, I barely saw what was happening until one of them was pinned.

"No, he hasn't. I can't quite explain, but it's like there's a side of him that never surfaces. I wanna push it out." She said in excitement. I was starting to be concerned about her mental health.

"You mean forcing out his instincts so he loses control and fights you that way?" I questioned doubtfully. Her gleaming chocolate eyes turned on me.

"Yes. I have never seen him fully lose control. I bet he is insanely powerful," She said with a child-like giddiness. I shook my head.

"That's something I want to watch," I mumbled.

"So I, Gabriel, and my mate, Yuki, the current king and queen of the sun court, pronounce our sun, Apollo, as the new king!" Gabriel suddenly called. My green eyes landed on my mate. I was proud of him, my smile returning to my face. Cheers erupted across the ballroom.

"Thank you, for the acceptance," My mates said smoothly, then his eyes landed on Ari and I. "As many of you know, I have a mate, Oliver. I have also chosen my Advisor already. Ari," Apollo explained. Ari and I stood up beside him, standing on either side of him.

"Cheers to the new king. Cheers to Apollo!" Someone called. More cheers echoed through the room accompanied by clinking glass.