#Chapter 70 - Bright Beginnings

Eloise’s POV

Following the months after King Adam’s defeat in Noah, citizens from across the various kingdoms came to the Royal City to tie up the loose ends. The power-hungry tyrants caused a lot of unease between the vampires, witches, and werewolves but under Xavier and I’s union, they were all willing to hear us out.

The old Vampire Court dissolved after King Adam’s defeat and with our help, worthy vampire nobles that advocated for peace between all three kingdoms would rise to form the new Vampire Court.

Many vampires expressed gratitude for saving them from Adam as they all lived in fear after he slaughtered half of Hastings to feed his power lust. Those who went rogue and were loyal to the old crown were hunted down by Captain Oliver and also sentenced to death, thus putting an end to Adam’s hold.

After that, it was time to try Douglas for his crimes from all those years ago. He appeared before the Witches Council and the Werewolves Circle–each led by respected figures Xavier and I appointed ourselves.

Douglas was sentenced to be executed. After we recovered the money and jewels he used to bribe the old Vampire Court officials for the alliance, and he confessed to the murder of the previous King Eric, there was no running away from the justice he needed to face.

Needless to say, it had been a busy period for me and Xavier but we still made time for each other… Even if they were quick sessions.

In Xavier’s study.

In the shed.

In our bedroom just before we were supposed to meet with in-laws.

We still tried to enjoy ourselves while we could, especially as the big day was right around the corner.

My 19th birthday. A day I used to fear because it used to signal death.

But now it meant something new: new beginnings. And that meant being my coronation ceremony to be officially made Queen of the Werewolf Kingdom.

———

Citizens from all across the Lowell continent gathered out in the courtyard of the Royal City. The whole city was filled to the brim with so many people, all happy to see the union of two kingdoms.

It was a beautiful spring day and all of the flowers were in full bloom. Excitement filled people’s hearts–and mine, too.

I was happy to step into my role as Queen and I was more than ready to build a future that we could be proud of. Especially for our daughter, Eleanor.

I was about to get into the shower when I heard a knock at my door. Xavier came in and locked the door behind him as he smiled brightly at me.

“My Queen.” He bowed.

“My King.” I curtsied.

Xavier picked me up and placed a tender kiss on my lips. “Today’s the day. How are you feeling?”

I giggled. “A little nervous, to be honest. It’s a big day and I’ll no longer be seen as just a Lord’s Lady. Plus, everyone from across the continent is here! It’s a little nerve-wracking.”

Xavier carried me into the bathroom and sat me on the countertop. Then he started to run the bath as he dropped a few drops of essential oils into it.

The soothing scent of lavender filled my nostrils.

“How do you feel now?” Xavier stood in between my legs.

I wrapped my arms around his shoulders. “I feel good. Less nervous than before but still a little nervous about the whole ceremony.”

Xavier then rubbed his strong hands down the length of my back and started rubbing at my thighs. “Maybe there’s something else I can do to help calm you down.”

I bit my bottom lip. “Oh, is there now?”

Xavier kissed my lips again but this time, there was a hint of roughness to it. Then he began to descend my body as he sucked at my neck and my collarbone.

I couldn’t hold back on the moans that escaped my lips as small waves of pleasure started to ride throughout my body. His lips continued to trail down my chest and to my stomach as I wrapped my fingers in his soft hair.

Soon he was kneeling in between my legs, the heat of his breath causing my already wet entrance to tingle.

Xavier looked up at me as he spread my legs apart and placed soft kisses on my inner thigh. My core was hot with desire and it didn’t help that it was also like a sauna in the bathroom.

I looked down at him and licked my lips. I was so close to the edge and he hadn’t even gotten to the best part.

Xavier chuckled as he rubbed his fingers against my throbbing entrance. “You know, our mate bond heightens the pleasure receptors between us, right?”

“I-I can tell…” I whimpered through breathy moans. “Xavier… please…”

Without another word, Xavier pulled aside the underwear I was still wearing and plunged his tongue against my aching heat. An explosion of pleasure rippled throughout my body as I tightened my grip on his air.

A growl vibrated from his lips and against my entrance and I felt like I was about to melt.

“X-Xavier… I… I” I whimpered.

“Come for me, my Queen.”

At his command, my hips jerked forward as I reached my climax. My eyes rolled to the back of my head as the pleasurable tremors reverberated throughout my body, as I slowly came down from the high of satisfaction.

Xavier stood up and pulled me in for a soft kiss as he picked me up again and brought me into the bathtub.

“What about you, Xavier?”

Xavier hummed as he massaged my back and began to wash my hair. “We’ll have plenty of time after the ceremony, my Queen.”

After Xavier and I had a lovely bath, he left my room to go get ready. I sat in front of the vanity as Nora worked on my makeup.

“I can’t believe I’ll be serving a Queen…” Nora started to tear up.

I smiled and couldn’t help but giggle. “I’m still Eloise, Nora.”

“I know, I know. It’s just… you’ve come so far and I’m so proud of you.”

Her words truly touched my heart. “And I’m glad I had someone like you by my side through it all.”

Nora smiled and our moment was interrupted by a knock at our door.

“Mrs. Leonard, come in.” Nora opened the door and greeted Belinda with a smile.

Belinda smiled at Nora and came into the room. She held a large piece of clothing in her hand that was obscured by a black bag.

I looked at Belinda with a questioning look. “What is that?”

“A gift.” She smiled. “To commemorate such a wonderful occasion and as a welcoming gift into the Leonard family.”

Nora held up the hanger while I unzipped the bag. Tears threatened to fall down my cheeks as I let out a gasp.

“Mrs. Leonard… I–”

“Belinda, sweetie. You can call me Belinda. Also, no need to thank me.” Her grin was wide.

Inside of the bag was a gorgeous floor-length lavender ballgown. When I put it on, I went to observe the beauty of the amazingly crafted dress.

It was an off-shoulder dress with an intricate vine-like pattern that started at the top of my chest and ran down to the top of my thighs. Bright lilac flowers also lined the bottom of the dress and made their way up as if coming to meet the vines that stopped midway down my dress.

“My beautiful daughter-in-law…” Belinda smiled through her tears.

“I can’t thank you enough for this, Belinda. It’s absolutely beautiful.”

“No, my dear. There’s no need to thank me. You did so much for our family when you were a Lady. I do not doubt in my mind that you’ll make for a wonderful Queen. I’m proud to have you as my daughter.”

She took me into her arms as I wiped away the tears that almost ruined my makeup.

When Belinda pulled away from me, she extended her arm. “Now, let me take you to your mother. The ceremony should be underway soon.”

I smiled at Nora as she waved me off.

“I’ll see you from the crowd, Your Majesty!”

———

I walked down the Royal City steps with my mom on one side and my dad on the other. We made our way to the center of the courtyard where newly appointed High Priest Lucas stood along with Xavier.

The people were parted down the middle as they all sang and cheered when I made my way down the steps.

“Our beautiful Queen Eloise! Look at her!”

“May our Queen live a long and happy life!”

“All hail, Queen Eloise!”

“Long live the Leonard family! Long live the Wisdom family!”

I was overcome with emotion when I saw Xavier in his magnificent white suit. He held out his hand to take mine as my parents bowed and stepped to the side.

“Citizens of Lowell,” High Priest Lucas announced. “Today, we are here to witness the union of two families and to crown our new Queen!”

The crowd erupted into cheers. Excitement echoed throughout the Royal City.

“May the Moon Goddess, Elara, bless our King and new Queen, and may our just rulers lead us down a path of peace, prosperity, and happiness!”

Major Oliver, who was promoted from Captain after the battle against Adam, approached us with a golden crown on a satin red pillow. The crown was lined with rubies and emeralds, as a large heart-shaped sapphire sat in the middle.

When I looked at Xavier, thoughts of Mona’s false prophecy came to mind. It wasn’t a sword that Xavier was holding in that vision–it was a crown.

I curtsied and leaned forward as Xavier placed the crown on my head.

When I straightened my back, he pulled me into a kiss as his lips smiled against mine.

“Long live King Xavier! Long live Queen Eloise!” Major Oliver began to chant.

“Long live King Xavier! Long live Queen Eloise!” The crowd echoed.

This time, I didn’t hold back on the tears that fell. Euphoria and pride swelled in my heart.

A road to a better future and bright beginnings was just before Xavier and I–and it was filled with determination, compassion, and love.




-the end-