Chains to Crowns

Klara hunched slightly with being alone with Xander, sure he’d been nothing but kind to her since her father attacked the Kingdom, but she still had a notion of worry. A finger hooked under her chin, “Shoulders back, my Queen.” He placed a hand on her lower back, pushing gently for her to straighten.

“Sorry,” she whispered.

“You are nervous, I remember my coronation. I was terrified.” His golden eyes flashed.

“You were young,” she murmured.

“That I was. But all that were around me helped. All were there for advice, I was never alone, no matter how alone I felt. You are not alone, you have a whole Kingdom behind you.”

“It feels it’s a lot of responsibility. I… I worry I won’t do it well.”

“And that is the mark of a great leader. The best leaders are not the ones that strive for it, but the ones that find it thrust upon them. You are that kind of leader. Therefore, you’ll do what is right with your Kingdom.”

Klara nodded slowly, “I’m still a Silversmith,” she whispered barely audibly.

“For all intents and purposes, Silversmith’s should have been our allies, our advisors. If they hadn’t run off to do their own thing, they would have been royalty.”

“You truly accept me?”

“Truly, my child.”

“Klara! Zip me up, please!” Adelaide’s voice came from the dressing room. She smiled towards Xander before making her way towards her voice.

“My dress doesn’t fit!” Adelaide hissed in panic as soon as Klara closed the door.

“Erm.. well… you are pregnant.” Klara smiled sheepishly.

“I know, I know! I didn’t think I’d grow this quick, just… help squeeze me in.”

Klara hid her smile before tackling with the zip, managing to wrestle for it to close. The seams strained a little, but she thought it should hold. “I’ll change after the ceremony,” Adelaide panted, patting her slightly protruding stomach. “Come on, let’s go before dad gets antsy.”

As soon as they were ready, Xander placed Klara’s hand in the crook of his elbow, to her surprise. “It’s time, dear. Come.” He lead her through the palace, all the way to the throne room which held an assembly of maybe thirty people, but her eyes went to Marc, sitting elegantly on the golden throne. She zoned out the others standing around the room, clearly waiting for the coronation. She kept her eyes glued to Marc, who was smiling. Christopher sat off to one side, a slight twitch in his leg, she noticed he looked a little uncomfortable, then there was Elsbeth, standing just below the throne, a gentle smile directed to Klara.

Xander lead her up towards the throne, stopping when they reached Elsbeth, “Klara, dear, you look breathtaking, are you ready?”

Klara gave a slightly uncertain nod, not wanting to show the audience her fears as Elsbeth had instructed her on. “You’re going to do fine,” she whispered. “Come.”

Xander squeezed her arm gently before transferring her to Elsbeth.

Elsbeth turned to the crowd, as did Klara. “My royal subjects, it is my honour to address you today as the final day as your Queen. I declare my permission and express desire, that Klara Silversmith, is to take my place. My King, do you accept my wish?” She glanced over to Marc.

“I do.”

“Klara Silversmith, do you accept the position of Queen of all wolves within our Kingdom?”

“I do,” she projected her voice, hiding any fear she had.

“Then please, recite after me; As queen, I will protect all wolves who need protection. I will bestow my advice and knowledge for all who need it. I will follow my mate, the King in all his endeavours.”

Klara repeated the words, glancing to Marc every now and then to see his proud, warm smile. Elsbeth took the crown of entwined thin gold strands from her head, and placed it on Klara’s. Adelaide brought forth a gold-handled dagger, although this one had a blue sapphire encrusted in the hilt. She handed it delicately to Elsbeth. She nodded subtly to Klara, who nodded back, she’d been warned about this part. Elsbeth nicked her palm, before passing the blade to Klara who did the same (managing to control the cut to only a small nick unlike the first time).

“Then, I freely give my title, my status, my power, to you-” Elsbeth connected hands with Klara, solidifying the transfer of power, “My Queen.” The bolt of electricity up her arm slightly surprised her, but she smiled, accepting the gift.

“Let the King and Queen, unite,” Xander announced, his powerful voice booming around the room. Klara wiped her hand on the cloth Adelaide supplied before heading up the three steps to the throne platform, Marc stood and held out his hand, which Klara gratefully took. “You look beautiful,” he breathed into her ear before capturing her lips in a gentle kiss.

He pulled away, grasping Klara around her waist. “We have joined in Mateship, now we have joined in rank. What say you?” Marc addressed the crowd. Klara tried to remember who it was that was in the room during the coronation. It was higher level wolves, she remembered that much. “Here, here!” A voice called, soon to be followed by all in the room.

Marc guided her back to her own throne as he sat in his. Their hands still clasped in one another’s.

**

Klara took a breath, this was it, then she could remove the gorgeous, yet starting to get uncomfortable gown. She smoothed her hands over the intricate fabric while she waited, standing in front of the balcony doors from the first floor, she wasn’t even sure what the room was that she was in, some kind of office she suspected with the desk, but there were sofas too. She’d later find out this was the Beta office.

She swallowed knowing Marc was going to be on the other side of the door, she was going to be fine. Nerves clamped on her stomach but she forced herself to remember her posture. She wiped the sweat from her palms as she stood straight. “Presenting, your Queen.” The curtained glass doors opened to reveal the balcony, hundreds of wolves below while Marc offered his hand for her. She stepped out to him with purposeful, dainty, and careful steps, her hand went into his and they stood united to the crowd.

’Wave to your subjects, you’re their Queen now.’ Marc linked softly, lifting his arm at the same time as her, they both gave regal waves of their hands, in response the crowd chanted. “Long live the King, long live the Queen.” Klara glanced to Marc, his lips creeping to a proud smile.

“I love you.” He squeezed her waist as they both continued to look out to the crowd.

“I love you too,” she murmured back, leaning against him. She could never put into words how happy she was, but she could say one thing…

She was beyond happy she’d ran into Royal packland to the arms of her mate and he hadn’t killed her on sight. Although now she knew, he’d have never done that, he was strong, commanding in his role, but soft, loyal and kind. She looked up to him, both their emotions of delight swirling into each other.

She closed her eyes against the orange sun, Marc’s warm body pressed against her. A finger hooked under her chin and gently dragged her head up for the lips she knew she’d kiss forever planted on hers. The crowd continued to cheer below them and Klara knew she’d never have to wear chains again.