Chapter 33

It was the morning after her father’s death. Her bond to her husband had been broken. Her sister had come through. Cora knew she would. However, Cora had paid a price. Darcy was mad at her and her mother’s warning wouldn’t stop turning in her head. She was more confused than ever. The gods were everything to her and her people. Why would she keep anything from them?
She had to make an announcement. She had to let the people of De’Mar know. Then she must be crowned, before she could give her father his final goodbye. Before she could let his soul rest in the place of eternal life, she had to become queen.
Pulling her shoulders back she walked onto the balcony that overlooked the land. With a wave of her hand, she made her voice penetrate the minds of all her people. Something only one with royal blood could do. A connection to the people they serve to protect.
“It is with a sad heart that I bring the news to you of my father’s passing, King Arnold De’Mar. With his passing we will welcome a new rein. The crowning ceremony will take place at midday today. Those of you that do not have an invite to be present can watch on the glass mirrors. The burial of the King will take place at midnight. When the moon is full. Today I declare a no workday. Today we celebrate the life of King Arnold and the new beginning,” She stepped back from the balcony. Drake was looking at her with a look she could only describe as jealously. He had wanted to make the announcement by the glass mirrors. Cora had refused. Her father’s words had made her step up and be what she had been born to be. The leader. No more would she sit back and wallow in her misery. She would do the job that had befallen on her.
After her announcement she made her way to her chambers. Jeannette awaited her. “Princess, I am sorry for your loss, King ….”
“Jeannette, death is a part of life. Without death there would be no life. The world we know would become too crowded, forcing us to leave,” Jeannette nodded.
“Let’s get you ready for the biggest day of your life,” Jeannette walked into Cora’s wardrobe and came back out holding the most beautiful gold dress that Cora had ever seen.
“It is the same dress that your mother wore to her crowning ceremony. My mother thought you would like to wear it,” Cora could hear the nerves in Jeannette’s voice.
“Thank you, and please thank your mother. I could not think of a better gown to wear,” Cora hugged Jeannette and wiped a tear from her eyes. She could not have asked for a better hand maid. Jeannette had become more to Cora. She wasn’t just her maid, but her friend.
As Cora sat on her chair, beside her sisters she stared longingly at her father’s throne, and that of her mothers. She needed their guidance more than ever. Her nerves were frayed. Her anxiety was building. She kept telling herself that she could do this. That everything would turn out just how it was supposed to. Her mother’s words sung in her head, “Everything happens for a reason,” But she could not shake the feeling of doom that clouded her mind. It was a feeling that hid in the depth of her being and installed terror in her. She couldn’t shake it.
As she knelt in front of her father’s most entrusted advisor she felt fear, like a shackle, slowly twisting a knife in her gut and hammering in her head. As her princess tiara was removed and replaced with that of the queens, she could feel sweat trickle down her back and her skin prickled. She quietly thanked the advisor and made a quick speech. She had to get out of the throne room. Her head was spinning, and thoughts were sending her into a downward spiral of anxiety. She could feel her breathing becoming restricted, but she fought through as she patiently waited for the man, she had no choice but to call husband be crowned.
Once out of the room she ran into the courtyard collapsed at the water fountain of her very first ancestor. Edward De’Mar. The statue showed Edward looking up into the sky while on one knee. It was made of pure gold and shined as if it was new. The story was that Edward had escaped a world of brutality. A world so horrifying where dragons ruled and humans were nothing more but servants and lunch once they were no longer needed, forced to do the bidding of the ancient creatures. Edward had stumbled upon a portal that had taken him to the land of the gods, which is known as De’Mar. The gods had promised him and his people freedom. All he had to do was protect their scared land and one sacred item. They had to go back to the world in which they were born, and the item would not pass through the shield that protected their home. However, they would keep watch and give them the guidance that they needed. They infused all of Edward’s people with a part of their power and called them witches. The gods called the realm De’Mar which was Edwards’s last name. If Edward failed and the enchanted item ever became the property of a dragon, then Edward and his people would suffer the consequences. The gods had been fighting a war with the dragons for a long time. The enchanted item would give the dragons the power and strength that would rival any god. The story says that when the time is right, they would return and take the witches to their new home. One in which they would blossom within. A world full of mystery and magic, love, and honor. It would be a utopia. Better than heaven.
“What are you doing? Stop being a brat.” Drake stood in front of her.
Cora stood and walked past him. He may be her husband, but she was not about to stay there and let him talk to her like that. She over saw the preparations for her father’s funeral. Every time that Drake made an arrangement, she would override it. Cora knew she was just being difficult, but she didn’t care. She was hurting and Drake was getting on her last nerve. Cora saw him as a control freak. She couldn’t cope with his tantrums when he didn’t get his way. Many times, Cora called him a child and the members of her castle laughed. That only angered him more. His words became laced in venom, and he didn’t try and hide his hatred of her. Cora caught Jeannette shaking her head when Drake spat the words, “You, will not give me orders,” “You will not override me,” Cora was expecting him to stamp his feet and cross his arms. Finally, they had finished. It had been a long day, one that still had many hours left to endure.
“You have done, him proud,” Crystal, one of her sisters said as they both stood looking at her father’s casket.
“We all have,” Cora hugged her. It was time. Five of her father’s advisors stood beside his coffin. With their magic they made the glass case hover just above the ground. They walked at a snail pace to the lake. Once at the lake the coffin floated on the water to the other side. As it moved with the tide, fireworks lit up the night sky.
Normally their rainbow colors would make Cora look in aww. But the sadness and isolation she felt made that impossible. As she looked among the crowd. She wondered if their lives were as difficult as hers. Did they ever worry about failing? But her worst thought was, would they accept her as their leader. She was the first woman after all to become the monarch. Not only a woman but twenty-one. To the people of De’Mar who lived for hundreds of years, she was a child in their eyes.
Cora and her family entered the temple. Each of them slits their palm. And let their blood drip onto their father’s body. As the last drop of blood fell, a bright orb floated out of his chest. It danced around the girls before shooting into the sky. Cora knew her father was at peace. In a place that he belonged.
As the girls exited the temple, a carriage awaited them. Drake sat inside. His face was cold and emotionless. “Go ahead girls,” Cora looked up at the moon. “I would like to be alone for a little while,” the girls nodded and began climbing into the carriage.
“Cora gets in here now!” Drake was angry. Why she didn’t know. He scrambled across her sister’s. Before he exited the carriage Cora made herself disappear. She was invisible, a power that neither Drake nor her family knew she possessed. They all looked at the spot in which she was once stood. Their eyes wide. With a small smile she ran through the graveyard and into the woods.
She felt free, one with nature as she felt the wind in her hair. It didn’t take her long to reach the lake. Reece stood with a smile on his face.
Cora didn’t hesitate. She ran into his arms and placed her head upon his chest. His heart danced to a fast beat and although it was still summer, Cora felt a chill run down her spine. Not from fear but rather from the closeness she was sharing with the one she loved. They didn’t speak, for a long time they just held each other. They didn’t need words. They both knew how each other felt. It showed on their faces and in their touch.
Cora lay down on the embankment and looked up at the stars. Reece lay beside her. She was lost in the peace that she felt. For the first time in weeks, she felt settled. But as the moon started to disappear and the sun began to rise, Cora knew she had to leave.
She stood and looked into Reece’s brown eyes. “I must go,” she had to look away. She couldn’t bear to see the sadness that reflected hers. She thought about running away but she knew she would never abandon her people. The shadows that lurked in the forest would kill her before she reached the other side.
“I want you to have this,” he fastened a beautiful sliver chain around her neck with a light sapphire diamond. It was beautiful, nothing like she had seen before. The diamond had a slight glow to it. A sign that the necklace held power.
“It is beautiful,” she whispered, twirling the diamond in-between her fingers. She went to unclasp it. “I think you should save it for your future wife,” the words stung her heart, but she knew that they would never share anything more than stolen kisses and a few moments of pleasure with each other’s.
“Cora De’Mar, you are the one and only woman I will ever love,”
Jess bolted up as her father yelled her name. It was him. He had given Cora the jewel of the Druids he had sworn to protect.