Wicked As You Wish (A Hundred Names for Magic #1) - Rin Chupeco Page 0,153
two ready?”
“I’ve barely been out of this room in the last two days!” Alex burst out with a growl, flopping down hard on the bed. “I need this to be over soon.”
“Coronations don’t come every day, Your Highness. I was close to despairing that I would ever see an Avalon king crowned in my lifetime, but you beat the odds. This is an accomplishment, not a burden.”
“And the courtiers and ambassadors who’ve come all the way to pay their respects? Is that how they’ll see it?” Alex glared at the ceiling. “They didn’t give a rat’s ass when Avalon was under ice, and the only reason they’re here to pay lip service is because they’re worried about all those spelltech patents they’ve been lusting after that I can now take back.”
“If it eases your mind, you’re allowed to gloat after the ceremony. They’re all quite afraid of the firebird, from what Chedeng and Baby could glean, and having it on your shoulder will do much to keep the peace. Even so, the Katipuneros shall remain vigilant.”
“Not only that,” Lumina Makiling said, appearing from behind Lola Urduja and clad in a Mai-i dress similar to Tala’s. “It’s all over the news that you and the Bandersnatches had defeated an ice maiden, the Great Mother forbid, and lifted the frost’s curse on your own. They’re just as fearful of what you can do as they are of your fire-breathing charge.”
The firebird sniffed.
Alex laughed. “Lola. Auntie. Thank you. For the year you gave me a home, for all the—”
“There is no need for gratitude, Your Highness,” Lola Urduja interrupted. “I would have been remiss if I hadn’t honored you with our usual Filipino hospitality.”
“Thank you, Lola.” Alex stood and adjusted his cape one last time. He held out his forearm, and the firebird hopped onto it, purring. “Let’s get this over with.”
“Hey, Alex?” Tala asked, keeping her voice low as they followed the two women out, careful not to let them overhear. “I’m sorry. I know it’s hard to talk about. But I’m glad you told me, and I’m glad you trusted me, for what it’s worth. And thank you for asking. About Dad. We’re not cool yet, and I don’t know if we’ll ever be. But thank you.”
There were so many things she was still hiding. The Nameless Sword, the mirror. She didn’t know where Ryker had gone. But maybe in time, she’d be in a better place to tell Alex. And maybe in time, he’d be in a better place to tell her more too.
The new King of Avalon looked back at her, then gave her hand a slow, steady squeeze. “Anytime. What are best friends for?”
* * *
“It’s going to be a short ceremony,” Tala’s mother said quietly, as they traveled down the long carpeted hallway. “The Duke of Wonderland will be administering it, and he’s not one for long functions, for obvious reasons.”
“The Cheshire?” Tala asked, surprised. “No one said he would be here.”
“Exactly. There’s still quite a few bounties on his head. The kingdom of Russia in particular is rather keen on beheading him themselves. We’ve forbidden cameras and media inside, and he’ll be leaving soon after.”
“I chose him for this,” Alex said, with some satisfaction. “It’s the first political statement I wanted to make.” Then he sobered. “I’m scared.”
“It’s not an execution, hijo,” Lola Urduja said. “And in a couple of hours, you won’t ever need to wear tights again. For today, anyway.”
“No. I mean, I’m scared. Of everything. What if I turn out to be a terrible king?”
Lumina laid a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Most things in life none of us signed up for. But you’ve got friends looking out for you every step of the way. Every bad seed will always be outnumbered by the good sprouts. Remember that.”
Alex nodded. Lumina let him pass, then fell into step with Tala. “You’re still angry,” she murmured.
“Can you blame me?”
“No. Want to talk?”
“I don’t know yet.” She could forgive her mother for loving a murderer, but she wasn’t sure about the murderer. “How could you not tell me?”
“Your father wanted to. I didn’t. I didn’t want you to hate him.”
“I don’t hate him. But…”
“But you’re conflicted. I was too.” Her mother closed her eyes. “When the frost came down, he tried to save everyone. He brought you and I to safety, then turned and went back for Alex. The Snow Queen nearly killed him for that. Even then, he refused to leave until we’d saved everyone.