#Chapter 440- A King, A Queen Ella
The aids go pale as they see me hurry back to the door, their eyes going wide. This is not protocol
“Ella!” Cora gasps, her eyes moving quickly over me as she bounces Rafe in her arms, trying to calm him. “What are you doing!?”
“He wants me, Cora,” I breathe, hurrying to her side and reaching for my baby. Cora doesn’t hesitate, handing him over to me, even though she rolls her eyes.
“He’s going to be fine!”
“Well, he is now!” I say, already turning back to the door, my baby beginning to calm, though his face is still red and a few tears stand out on his cheeks.
The aids wave to me frantically and 1 nod to them, mouthing my apologies as I again head through the door and hurry towards the aisle.
The crowd, which had gone quiet in their confusion, suddenly bursts into the loudest cheer yet, a great deal of laughter and joy in their noise now. I laugh along with them as I head down the aisle, shrugging my apology and hoping that they understand. Because as much as I’d love to be their dignified queen?
I’m always going to be a mother first.
There’s a huge smile on my face as the crowd cheers for Rafe and I, as I coo to him and wipe the tears from his face, as I see him look around at everyone in wonder and surprise. He’s not scared anymore not with me holding him. Someone in the crowd shouts his name and I swear he turns when he hears it, making me laugh.
And then when I’m about halfway down the long aisle – I finally glance towards the throne and see my mate standing at the end of the asile, waiting for us. And my smile deepens as a thrill runs through me from head to foot to see him there, waiting for me. I swear, my feet start to move faster of their own volition, eager to carry me to his side.
And – even though I didn’t mean for them to see it – the crowd loves it, and cheers harder. I laugh at this too, reaching out a hand for Sinclair when I come to the end of the aisle and climb the three short steps up to him.
“I’m sorry,” I say, still laughing as he takes my hand and pulls me to his side. “I tried to be dignified – it didn’t work
“It’s all right, trouble,” he murmurs, kissing my hair. “This was better. It was you.”
I almost purr with happiness then, pressing my face briefly to his chest and letting him hug me before taking a deep breath and standing straight at his side. Because he’s right – as much as I thought the people of this nation wanted me to be their dignified queen…
Well. They’ll just have to make do with regular old me.
And maybe that’s all they really want anyway.
I’m smiling, warm and happy, as I watch my sister and her mate come down the aisle, walking slowly behind Henry, who really does manage to look strong and dignified as he makes his way towards us. When he reaches the end Henry makes a short detour up the little ramp that we had built for him as Cora and Roger come up to stand at our side – Cora next to me, and Roger next to his brother, presenting a united front.
The next bits go as fast as the previous meeting was slow.
The mayor of our fine city – a human – comes forward along with the head of the largest pack – a wolf – to together perform the ceremony. Sinclair and I turn towards them and he goes to one knee, reciting an oath to dedicating his life to protecting this nation and its people.
I smile, watching him make his vow, especially the words that we had changed, which promise explicitly to protect and serve both wolf and human kind together. One that is done the mayor hands Sinclair a scepter that marks his sovereignty, and then the pack leader comes forward to reverently place a crown on his head, declaring him King.
When Sinclair stands, the crowd roars their approval. He faces them all and looks around smiling, nodding deeply to let them know that he accepts his new position with the gravity that it is due. The cheer goes on for a long time and I send Sinclair a little pulse of joy. He turns to me then, taking my hand and beaming his own happiness at me.
It takes a few moments, but when the crowd dies down Sinclair turns towards the throne, accepting from one of the aids another crown from atop a blue velvet pillow.
I find my face settling into serious lines now as I see it, finally, in his hands.
Because while I’ve joked about wanting to wear this crown and it really is very pretty – I’m well aware that it’s not a piece of costume jewelry to be played with. That it is, instead, a very real promise that I’m making to the people of this nation to care for them, and protect them, and fight for them.
And I intend to live the rest of my life making that promise come true. I tilt my chin up to my love, my mate, holding his gaze as he lifts the crown above my head with both of his hands.
“I crown you, Ella Sinclair,” he says, his voice booming through the room. ” As my mate and my Queen. You are my whole heart, my conscience, my peace, and my will. You are the greatest joy of my life and the best gift I can give to my people is to have you by my side. Do you accept?”
Slowly, I lower my head and bend my knees, just a little, impulsively pressing a hand again to my heart that I hope shows how much his words have meant to me. And then, as I bow to my King, my mate, and before my people
I feel the crown come to rest on my rose-gold hair.
And the crowd cheers again.
I stand, beaming out at all of the people who shout my name, a few tears coming to my eyes as I realize that their support is genuine – that maybe… maybe they’re starting to see how much I love them, and love me back.
Overwhelmed, I wrap an arm around my mate’s waist, leaning into him.
“A little more, trouble,” he murmurs into my ear, and I look up at him, surprised. Because whenever we’ve practiced this before that was the end of it. Just a little procession back down the aisle and then the party
“What?” I ask.
“A surprise,” he murmurs, and then his face bursts into a grin as he turns away from me. I follow the direction in which he reaches, turning backwards to see-
And I gasp when I see another velvet pillow, and on top of it-
A teeny tiny golden crown, just a little precious circlet unadorned by any jewels, just big enough for a baby’s head-
