Chapter 197: A new - ...
And now Ayla was back to thinking that maybe something was wrong.
Soren’s words refused to leave her head.
There was something about the way he had said it that made the hairs at the back of her neck stand.
"Ayla?" Her mother’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. "We should go."
Right... the coronation.
Ayla rose to her feet and put her hand in her mother’s, glancing down at the lavender dress she was wearing.
As they walked, Ayla’s mind still churned with the possibility that she was missing something but for the life of her, she could not tell what it was.
Ayla knew Amara was a complicated woman with secrets and she had done terrible things and was the reason Lucius had spawned into what he was today but she had also helped her.
She had changed and what was this life if you could not give a second chance when needed.
Even now, Amara was helping her learn how to become stronger and Ares had approved her return.
No one had accused her of anything so why was one warning from Soren of all people enough to send her mind into a frenzy?
It did not make any sense.
Soren was wrong and he was simply a distrustful man and she was allowing his words ruin a day that was supposed to be the happiest days of her life.
She should be happy.
And yet...It was almost as if she wanted something to be wrong.
That thought made her frown.
Why would she think that?
"Ayla?"
She glanced to the side to see her mother studying her with a frown on her face.
"Is something wrong?" her mother asked.
"No." Ayla shook her head. "Nothing is wrong."
"No? Her mother echoed. "You have been distracted since I came into your room."
Ayla forced a smile.
"I am just nervous. That is all."
That answer seemed to satisfy her because she squeezed her hand in reassurance.
"There is nothing to be nervous about. I am here, with you."
"I know." Ayla took a deep breath.
"As we walk in there, you remember that you are the daughter of Brenna Eva Evermere and you are not to be intimidated. Is that understood?"
"Yes mother" Ayla laughed, feeling her chest ease considerably.
Maybe after the party, she would speak to her mother about Soren’s visits and his warnings. If there was anyone who could sniff out treachery and was as suspicious as Soren himself, it would be her mother.
It is no wonder they never got along.
With that Ayla, pushed Soren’s warning from her mind... at least for now.
They reached the doors leading into the great hall and the sound of voices drifted through them.
Ayla’s stomach twisted as soon as she caught sight of the people gathered inside, hundreds of them, waiting to see her.
Her mother squeezed her hand again.
"Ready?"
Ayla looked at her and she nodded.
"Ready."
Conversation slowly died and one by one, heads turned in their direction as they walked in.
The entire hall seemed to pause.
Her mother’s hand remained firmly around hers leading her forward.
The people gathered inside parted down the center, leaving a clear path toward the raised platform at the front.
Ayla walked.
She could feel hundreds of eyes on her but she kept her head high and did not shrink.
She was Ayla Evermere, daughter of Brenna and soon to be princess of the Northern territory.
Beside her, her mother, Brenna was radiant.
That was the word for it.
She smiled at everyone they passed, her head held high and proud.
This wasn’t just Ayla’s day, it was Brenna’s too.
For years, she had been whispered about, judged and mocked with everyone looking down on her because of her status.
But today, she was walking into the hall holding her daughter’s hand. The daughter who was about to be publicly acknowledged as princess of the realm.
Brenna’s smile grew wider as she looked around the hall.
There they were.
Some of the same women and faces of those who had once mocked her.
Brenna looked at them and smiled in their direction.
She had spent the entire night thinking of ways to make those women regret every word they had ever said to her and Ayla had given her a means on a platter by asking her to be her escort.
Brenna led her daughter onward toward the platform where Kieran stood, looking magnificent in his formal robes.
Ever since Ayla’s kidnap, they had gotten closer. Closer than they would even have dreamed off.
They had bonded over their shared misery at Ayla’s mistreatment and then disappearance.
Brenna did not dare think that Kieran considered her as more than his mistress. She had made that mistake with Soren and it had cost her a lot.
For now, they simply enjoyed each other’s company and she was glad for it.
When they reached the platform and climbed up, Brenna decided to back away and take her place in the crowd but Kieran stopped her, catching her gently by the arm.
"Stay." he said.
Brenna froze, her eyes widening in alarm.
She looked at him then at the crowd where several people had noticed the exchange.
"Kieran..."
"Stay." Kieran repeated, his eyes on her.
Brenna swallowed not knowing what to do for a second then she decided to obey.
She moved to the side where Prince Ares, Cassian and Damon stood and she took her place beside them, casting them an embarrassed smile.
Her eyes briefly met Damon’s who appeared stunned and he did not even bother hiding it. He looked like he was trying to understand what had just happened.
Meanwhile, Cassian just seemed amused and as for Ares, he actually was smiling at her with a look of approval on his face.
Brenna’s heart was clearly pounding and judging by the stares she was now getting, she knew exactly what the people were thinking.
Did Kieran just publicly acknowledge me?
Kieran turned toward the crowd and raised a hand, silencing the whispers immediately.
"My people." His voice carried through the hall. "Today is a day of celebration. My daughter is finally back."
Ayla’s chest tightened.
Hearing him call her his daughter publicly still felt strange but beautiful and almost unreal.
"We have faced challenges." Kieran continued. "We have faced betrayal, war, loss, and pain. Many of us have lost people we loved but we are still here. We stand here today because we survived and because we survived, we have the opportunity to begin again."
Ayla swallowed.
"A new Chapter in our lives. Today, I stand before you and I acknowledge what the goddess herself has already declared that Ayla Evermere is my daughter... my blood."
Ayla’s eyes burned. She blinked, hard, refusing to let the tears fall.
Kieran turned toward her.
"Come here, daughter."
Ayla stepped forward.
Kieran took her hands in his, and up close she could see the lines around his eyes.
He reached for the crown sitting on her head and removed it, setting it aside on the cushion a servant held out then he took the other crown... a princess’ crown.
He looked at her for a moment, his eyes were shining then he placed the crown on her head.
The moment it settled into place, the hall erupted with cheers exploding from every direction.
Kieran raised his hands, and the noise died down enough for him to speak. "There will be feasting and drinking for the whole day!" he announced, his voice booming with joy. "Every person in this hall is welcome to eat their fill and drink their fill and celebrate ... because today, we are a family again!"
The cheers started up again, louder than before, and Kieran laughed and turned to help Ayla down from the platform. Cassian was there before she could take a step, his arm offered with a flourish and a grin that made her smile.
"May I have the honor, Princess?" he asked.
"You may," Ayla laughed as she took his arm, and together they walked toward the high table where Damon was already pulling out a chair for her, his smirk firmly in place.
"Your throne, little Omega," Damon said.
"Oh please" Ayla rolled her eyes at him but settled into the chair.
He leaned down and murmured in her ear. "You owe me a dance later."
"Do I now?" Ayla chuckled.
𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢
Ares was nearby, speaking quietly with a few members of the council.
Ayla looked around her.
The hall was alive with music playing and people laughing. Food was carried across the room and drinks were poured.
Ayla let herself breathe.
She glanced toward the crowd, freezing when she saw Amara standing among the people, watching the celebration.
Her heart skipped when their eyes met and Amara smiled at her.
She smiled back, raising her hand in a small wave, and Amara’s smile widened a fraction before she melted back into the crowd and was gone.
Soren’s words came back to her.
She is not to be trusted.
Ayla lowered her hand and looked down at her plate, her throat suddenly tight.
She lifted the cup of water in front of her and just as she was about to take a sip, a guard approached the high table.
He stopped beside Ares.
"What is it?" Ares asked.
The guard leaned down and whispered something into Ares’ ear.
Ayla couldn’t hear the words but she saw the moment Ares changed.
His body went completely still and his hand dropped the spoon he was holding.
Ayla stared at him.
"What is it?" she asked, the words out before she could stop them.
Ares did not answer.
He rose to his feet, pushing his chair back.
The scrape of wood against the floor sounded strangely loud despite the noise filling the hall.
"Excuse me," he muttered.
And he was gone.
Ayla sat very still, the crown heavy on her head, the noise of the celebration roaring on around her, as she watched Ares’ back disappear through the doors.
She had been right.
Something was wrong.