Ascension Saga (Interstellar Brides): Book 9

Magic. It felt like magic.

The silence was thick, as if everyone present couldn’t believe their eyes and didn’t know how to react.

Nearby, Captain Turaya hugged Leo’s mother close, a contented smile on his face. When he caught me looking, be beamed. “Your grandmother’s spires were a pale green, like buds of fresh grass in spring.”

“You’re such a poet, my love.” Leo’s mother was cute. There was no other word for the petite woman, or the way she looked up at her mate like he was her sun and stars. No wonder Leo turned out to be a keeper.

Mom turned to the crowd and I tore my gaze from Leo’s parents. I didn’t want to miss this, whatever this was.

“The ascension is complete. The citadel recognizes the new queen.” And now, she radiated pride, joy, contentment, just as she had at all of our graduations. But this… holy fuck, this, even I was a little weepy. “Alera, welcome Queen Trinity.”

The roar of the crowd was unlike anything I had ever heard. No football stadium could compare. No rock concert. All of Alera was shouting for joy in this moment.

They cheered for the past returning, for the present, for the peaceful, beautiful and very traditional hand-off from mother to daughter. They cheered for the future, which looked so bright. And so very blue.

Trinity and Mom walked back through the barrier to join all of us. Dad was the first to approach them and hugged Trinity fiercely. He might not be her father by blood, but definitely was her father in the heart. That was all that mattered.

Faith raced over to Trinity and Nix let go of my hand so I could join them. “Did you have any idea?” Faith asked Trinity.

Trinity shook her head and was beaming, like practically glowing and vibrating with energy. I had to wonder if her reaction was from being stunned or being excited, or if it were the necklace itself. I knew I could hear like a flipping bat by entering the citadel and having my spire light up the sky, but what powers did the necklace hold?

And what did the auras of an entire crowd look like all at once?

I’d get the details out of Trinity. But not now. I’d pin her to the ground and pinch her just like when we were young if I had to. I had my ways.

“Glad it’s you and not me,” I told her when it was my turn to get a hug in. She looked at me and rolled her eyes. We both knew I spoke the truth.

“You just don’t like wearing dresses,” she replied.

“And that’s all the excuse I need,” I countered.

“You must address your people,” Mom interrupted.

I turned to go to Nix, but he was right there. God, yes. He would always be right there.

He tugged me a little to the side as Trinity stepped forward, Mom beside her. They were speaking quietly to each other, but I was more interested in Nix.

“You’re happy for your sister?” he asked.

I frowned. “Of course.”

“Jealous?”

My mouth fell open. “God, no. She can have that necklace and all the crazy power that goes with it. I just want you.”

“I wonder what Leo’s opinion of this will be. He was not ready to be king. Trinity will need more protection now.”

“She’ll be fine. She’s strong.” I swiped the air. “He can handle it. God, King Leo. That’s insane.”

“And Princess Destiny is not?”

I shrugged as I thought of it. “I am okay with that. Mom raised us to someday be right here, just like this. I never envisioned it quite like this. Never imagined Mom would hand off being queen to Trinity. Actually, I always thought of it like the end of Star Wars where Princess Leia gave medals to Han Solo, Luke Skywalker and Chewbacca.”

Nix frowned. “I do not know that princess.”

I laughed then. “I will have to introduce you to her. Tonight, when we are alone.”

His eyebrows went up. “Is she kinky?”