“Go greet our guests.”
It’s a shocking show of solidarity. She grips the handle of the umbrella, and I step away, moving through the sea of people parting. I meet Cristobal at the edge of the cemetery. The inner court is flanking him, all impeccably dressed and dry. Their power hums. They’re showing the community what they’re capable. It’s a rare sight to see them use their magic in the open. My magic dances in my chest, begging to mingle.
“You forgot something,” Cristobal says.
My throat swells. Now?
Yes.
I raise my hand, struggling to keep it steady, as he slips the ring onto my finger. Gasps pierce my ears. He twines our fingers, and I guide him up to the casket. The others flank us, forming a half circle of protection.
Mémé turns toward them and addresses the crowd. “In our time of greatest need, our allies came without question or hesitation to defend us. Now, to me that makes them friends. What happened on our watch is a sign of how ineffectual our ways are. To continue, we have to do better, be better. Grow. Which is why I’m announcing Louella Esçhete as my successor. Tonight, as we celebrate the Autumnal Equinox together, we will leave behind the sadness, and move forward into the light in a new, stronger direction.”
My knees buckle. Cristobal wraps an arm around my waist, keeping me upright. I wasn’t expecting this.
“I’m ready,” Mémé says.
Cristobal offers his arms, and together the Esçhete’s Queens, future and present, are escorted to their limo by Cristobal Cortez. My chest aches and my lungs work overtime as I try to drag enough oxygen in to combat the feel
ing of suffocation settling over me.
“Breathe, girl. Won’t do for you to go to pieces before you even get on the throne.” Mémé squeezes my hand, and I’m sandwiched between her and Cristobal.
“You didn’t tell her?” Cristobal asks.
“No. I wanted her response to be real.”
“You’ve been talking to Mémé?” I ask, stunned.
“Yes. I did not realize you weren’t also being kept abreast of these conversations.”
My head spins. The equinox just got a lot more complicated.
***
“We know why she was so meticulous about your outfit tonight,” Fel whispers.
“I never wanted this.”
“What we want, and what we’re meant for are two different things,” Sacha says.
I knew this moment was coming, but I’d never anticipated it would be so soon. The corseted strapless gown molds to the top half of my body in a pink so pale it appears white before it bells out in a textured skirt that appears to be made of peonies. The pink is darker there and on the petals, bringing the flowers to life. The gown represents my new position as the Maiden just starting my journey in leadership. The flowers tie into nature. Nestled in my hair is the silver family Diadem shaped like the three stages of the moon.
I don’t recognize the woman peering back at me. She’s soft and poised. The wildness in her appears tame, except for her eyes. A fire flickers in their depths. At my side, the two women beside me are my court—beautiful, powerful, and loyal.
“Will your boo be at the ball?” Sacha asks.
I snicker. “No. We wanted to rock the boat, not capsize it on the first day.”
“Your ears should be burning because, believe me, folks are talking,” Fel says.
“I’ve been setting tongues wagging for years. Why not continue the trend? I spent years running from things that frightened me. I’m done with that.”
Sacha nods her head. “I’m proud of you. I’ll admit, when you came back, I was skeptical and smarting. I didn’t understand why you left the way you did. It was like you were trying to cut out an entire portion of your life. I took that hard. Suddenly the person I always turned to was M.I.A. and going through so many changes. She felt foreign. Looking back on it now, knowing what I do, I can’t say I would’ve handled it any better.”
It releases me from chains I didn’t realize still held me. I pull her into a hug, cherishing the freeing forgiveness she’s given me. “I need both of you if I’m supposed to do this right. They’re going to want me on the council. I’m intelligent enough to know I can’t do it. I want you to sit in my stead.”
“What?” Her eyes bulge. “No no no,” she waves her hand and shakes her head.