It was a fearsome yet beautiful crown, made of shadowstone and starlight, just like its bearer.
Ash’s hand still held mine. “Sera?”
“The crown looks heavy,” I said, because that was the only thing I could say despite all the thoughts running through my head.
One side of his lips kicked up. “Wait until you see yours.”
My brows lifted. “Is it heavy, too?”
He chuckled, lowering our joined hands. “Don’t worry. You don’t have to wear it after tonight.”
I nodded, swallowing against the dryness in my mouth and throat.
“Saion?” His gaze flicked away from me but returned quickly, skipping over the lace and beaded diamonds along my waist and hips. “Update?”
The god stepped forward. “All the soldiers are stationed along the aisle and at the foot of the dais.”
Turning my head, I saw that the chamber was mostly empty except for Aios and a handful of guards. She smiled at me, and I thought I returned the gesture. I hoped I did, but it felt a little weird. “Where…?” I cleared my throat. “Where is Nektas?”
“He’s around.” Ash’s stare glided over my jaw and lips. “Can someone get me a glass of wine?”
“On it,” came a response. A moment later, Kars appeared with a bronze chalice. He handed the wine to the Primal, only briefly glancing in my direction before stepping back.
“Here.” Ash placed the chalice in my free hand.
“Thank you,” I whispered, greedily but carefully taking adrink of the sweet and crisp wine.
He watched me, remaining quiet until I took another drink. “Are you all right?”
“Of course.”
Ash stared at me, his head tilting just a bit. The crown didn’t move even an inch. I saw that his eyes had narrowed.
My back stiffened, but I forced my voice to come out soft instead of blade-sharp. “Please, don’t read my emotions.”
Ash’s brows snapped together. “I think that was possibly the nicest way you’ve ever made that demand.” His eyes searched mine. “What’s wrong?”
Heat crept up my throat. How could I answer when the only thing currently wrong with me was that I was…very likely in love with him. And because of that, I didn’t know what to do or say.
Ash watched me closely. “Did something happen?”
“No,” I said quickly—maybe too quickly. And perhaps I needed to pull myself together as quickly as I’d responded. Or maybe I could stop behaving this way if I just told him. Not what I’d learned about Veses, because this wasn’t the place for that, but I could…I could be honest.
“Sera?” Ash touched my chin, tipping my head back.
I closed my eyes because even though I was less afraid, I still didn’t feel very brave. “I just…I want you to know that I want this,” I told him in a strangled whisper. “I mean, when I told you before that I wanted to be your Consort, that still holds true. I want this, Ash.”
Silence.
Cracking open one eye and then the other, I saw that Ash stared down at me with eyes full of whipping, luminous strains of eather. He looked shocked. Dazed.
“I thought I would let you know.” My face warmed as mybrainseemed to cringe, but some of the pressure had left my chest. There was still a series of wiggles in my stomach, but I felt a little better as I stepped back. His fingers fell from my chin as my hand slipped free of his. I glanced at the opening. The music had stopped at some point. “Should we do this?”
Ash blinked, clearing his throat. “Yeah. Yes. We should,” he said, sounding shaken.
Saion came forward then, and I hoped that no one else hadheard my rather awkward declaration. Aios watched us with a perplexed expression, and I suddenly wished I’d asked who she loved. I started to, but Ash’s hand found mine again, and then we were walking toward the entrance.
“Thirty-six,” he murmured, stopping at the mouth of the City Hall.