Maxon (32 page)

“Sure thing.”

I take his hand in mine and set out on a trek across the water. This time, we don't need to hold hands, considering that Maxon can float as smoke if he likes.

We stroll across the ocean for a time, the Air Valta following behind us. Once we reach a fair distance from shore, I raise my right arm.

Like before, the Water Palace comes bubbling up from the water. I visit all the time now, so you'd think that this shell-shaped castle wouldn't leave me gaping in awe anymore. But it does. Every time.

Once the palace is fully visible, the front door swings open. Maxon and I march through, hand in hand. We pass the reception arcade and head right into the Hall of Fountains. The place looks especially lovely today, with blue lights dancing through the waterfalls that line the space. A few hundred Water Valta stand in a rough circle on the chamber floor.

We move into the center of the room. The Air Valta follow, mixing in with their water counterparts, just as Maxon ordered them to. Once everyone is in place, Maxon's first to speak.

“Air Valta, connect to your brothers and sisters.” In response, all of Maxon's people raise their right arms, placing their palms onto the shoulders of a comrade in arms. Viktor rests his hand on Maxon's shoulder.

That's my cue.

“Water Valta, connect to your brothers and sisters.”

My soldiers do the same, reaching out their right arms and placing their palms onto the shoulders of another Water Valta. Esau's father rests his hand on my shoulder. With that, the connection to our people is complete. If I could look down from the ceiling, I'd see an intricate snowflake of gray and blue bodies.

The ceremony is ready to begin.

Raising my arm, I summon the Kristalli of Water to appear in my palm. Maxon does the same with the Kristalli of Air. We both lift our stones high. I've practiced this particular move for years. Many times, I've raised this stone in preparation for battle practice.

Today, I lift it to change the Kristalli into my crown.

Excitement strums through me, like my inner life is a musical string that's just been plucked. Maxon and I share a small smile that's full of hope and promise. After that, we speak together.

“Who names us their monarkki?” we ask.

The crowd replies in unison. “The Valta.”

Blue and gray light dances around the room as one by one, the Valta's bodies glow with emotion. Their feelings pass through their connected bodies, compounding as they go. Soon the full weight of their sensations slams into me. There's love, support and—if I'm being honest—a little fear, too. My Kristalli fills with their emotion and power, growing brighter by the second. Maxon's does the same.

My Kristalli juts out small prongs into my hand, extending, contracting and pricking into my flesh as it begins climbing up my arm, shoulder, neck, and cheekbone. From there, it creeps around my temples, taking the shape of a crown.

Across from me, Maxon's Kristalli is making the same journey. The power of his Valta is changing his people's stone into a crown. I smile so hard, it feels like my face could break.

Once our new crowns are firmly in place, the Valta lower their arms and fall to their right knee. Again, they speak in unison.

“Our monarkki.”

Suddenly, I sense the water elementals in my realm. In my mind's eye, I see them all. Young naiads frolic in lakes, their long blue hair steaming over their naked bodies. Rain golems pour moisture into the clouds, their great blocky shoulders carrying huge vats of glowing liquid. Ocean guardians patrol the depths, their long seaweed cloaks flowing behind them.

I see and sense my people. Joy, pain, peace, and worry… All their feelings move through me as my own. We are no longer separate. I connect to their consciousness and speak to them through my soul.

I will fight for you, heal you, and help you. I am your monarkki. Together, we will be strong.

Across the after-realms, I sense water elementals everywhere bowing onto their right knee. They speak to me in a voice that rings through eternity.

Your Eminence. We are yours.

A part of my essence finally clicks into place. It's like some piece of me was always missing, and now I am whole. I turn to Maxon.

“I feel my people,” I say with a smile. “Do you?”

“Yeah.” He returns my grin with one of his own. “We've got a lot of work to do.” He leans in and whispers in my ear. “Together.”

I do my best Maxon impression, keeping my voice low and my mojo controlled. “Yeah.”

We share a grin and then return our attention to the Valta. They clearly want a speech, and that still isn't my strong suit. I frown.

“Want me to go first?” asks Maxon.

I'm about to take him up on that, when suddenly, I know exactly what to say. “Nah, I got it.”

“That's my woman.” He kisses me gently on the cheek. Warmth and love radiate from his touch. I turn to face the crowd.

“I don't give speeches much,” I begin. “Well, at all, really. I can't begin without saying that I wouldn't be here without some very dear friends. Namare rescued me. Fisk sacrificed everything to keep me safe. And you all have connected me into your power. Together, we will heal our world.”

A pulse of energy hangs in the air. I totally nailed that speech. Or at least, I'm pretty sure I did. Either way, I'm feeling good.

Maxon winds me into a deep hug as his voice sounds low in my ear. “Good work, beautiful.” He kisses me, brief and sweet.

Too soon, our kiss ends. Now, it's Maxon turn to scan the crowd of faces. What will he say? Will he leave his warrior-self behind and go all statesman on me? Not that I mind that but… Okay, I would totally mind that. Maxon and fighter are one and the same to me.

Maxon rubs his stubbled chin. “You're all warriors, so I'll do you the honor of being direct here.”

A small grin rounds my mouth. That's my guy, all right.

With pointed movements, Maxon positions me so my back rests against his firm chest. His solid arms wind around my waist. A fluttery feeling starts up in my rib cage. I do love it when Maxon gets possessive. “There's been a lot of bullshit around here about which element is the best. That ends today. You make Water your enemy, you make me your enemy. Everyone understand?”

The Air Valta nod silently, their gray eyes large with surprise. A realization moves through me me as well.
This is the moment Maxon whispered about on the beach
. Now that he's monarkki, he's making his play to end Zephyr's policy of one element being first.

That's my guy, again.

“Now,” he says. “You all play by the rules and we're good. No one's number one anymore. No one gets hurt because of that shit anymore, either. We're all a team now.” His voice lowers. “I know this is a big change for you. It'll be weird for a while. Hell, it took me some time to adjust to the idea of having a battle twin, too. Trust me, once you're there, you'll never go back.” He turns me around to meet my gaze, and all the love and respect in the after-realms gleams in his eyes. My skin glows with joy.

He'll never go back.

“You got anything to add, beautiful?”

“No, you said it perfectly.”

“Good.” He leans forward, nuzzling into my neck. “Now, since you already got your tiara on and all, how about we head off to Antrum and finish getting ready for your party?”

Crap, I almost forgot.
Octavia's throwing me a ball tonight.

“Sounds like a plan,” I say.

We're still holding hands when we walk away from the Water Palace, and that's what's I call a good day.

Maxon

I step around the floor of the Golden Ballroom, bored out of my damned skull. Lianna's not here yet, and I know why. Octavia's spending a million years making my woman ready for tonight. And why? She already looks beautiful.

Plus, I miss her.

There, I admitted it to myself. The guy who needs no one except a good demon to kill now misses his woman. I shrug. When the woman's Lianna, that's a good thing.

G spots me prowling in the shadows, so she comes over to chat. As she steps closer, I can see her black velvet gown and shit-eating grin. Finally, G got to throw her ‘my grandson got a girlfriend' ball. She steps up beside me and surveys the crowd.

“How are you enjoying the festivities?” she asks.

I shrug. “You know how I am with formal stuff.”

“That I do.” G grins.

“It'll be better when Lianna shows. When are you releasing her from the girlie brigade?”

G shoots me a sly look. “My Ladies in Waiting know you call them that, by the way.”

“They got no complaints with me.”

I know that because they tell me that all the time, mostly while hitting on me. I'm not into cougars, so I've never been tempted to take them up on their offer. Not that I'll tell G a word about it. She'll flip her lid.

“Suffice it to say that Lianna will be here soon.” G freezes in place. “What the?”

“Is something wrong?”

“They brought out the enchanted sculptures too early. The magic will wear off before the first dance.” G pats my forearm. “Excuse me.”

As G steps away, Mom and Dad approach my hiding spot. A small crowd of courtiers and hangers-on trails behind them. My tail arcs into battle stance over my shoulder. I hate courtiers. People should fight with knives, not words.

“Hello, son,” says Dad. We do our man-hug thing.

“My baby.” Mom's voice breaks with emotion. “My sweet, sweet boy.”

Normally, Mom gets weepy faster than anyone I know. Lately, she's been on a hair trigger.

The courtiers create an ad hoc circle around us, chattering about Lianna, the ball, and how excited they are to have a royal elemental. I'm glad they're all pumped about my new state, but five minutes of their love is usually all I can handle. Tonight, I've had to listen to them for hours. It's getting on my nerves. Some courtier starts chattering about my new Kristalli crown and I've officially had enough. I raise my hand.

“I'm talking to my parents now.” All the courtiers stare at me with open mouths. “Alone.”

They don't budge. On reflex, I start calculating how to take them all down. Mom fidgets uncomfortably. She hates royal events almost as much as I do.

Dad catches the vibe. His face takes on that King look he gets sometimes, mostly when he's feeling protective. And these days, there's only one thing
really
sets off his protective side. Mom.

Huh. Something's definitely up with her.

“Excuse us,” says Dad. Two words never sounded so powerful and threatening. The courtiers take off like a small bomb exploded nearby.

Once they're well out of earshot, I carefully scan my parent's faces.

“So, what's going on?” I ask.

Mom twists her hands nervously at her waist. Whatever's happening, she needs a little time to talk about it.

No problem, I can wait.

“Have you seen Cissy and her girls?” Mom asks quickly.

Cissy is Mom's best friend from growing up in Purgatory. She's also the Diplomatic Senator. She and her husband have six girls, all part lust demon. I dated the two oldest. And by ‘date,' I mean the relationship lasted all of three hours. Mom doesn't know this and I want it to stay that way. So, I avoid them at all costs to keep the peace. They're beyond clingy.

Mom keeps looking at me, waiting for the answer. “Well?”

“I saw them tonight.”
From a distance.

Dad slides his arm around Mom's waist. “Cissy and her girls are fine.” He shoots Mom a sly smile. “Zeke is great, too. Why didn't you ask about him?”

“Must've slipped my mind,” she says with a chuckle. Mom and Zeke never got along, although these days, Mom feels that six girls is some kind of karmic payback for Zeke being a player in high school.

Dad nuzzles closer to Mom and changes the subject. At least, he changes the subject as far as Mom's concerned. Dad and I continue a hidden conversation about Cissy and her daughters.

“Did you see Hildy?” Dad asks me.

Those are the words that come out of this mouth. The look in Dad's eyes says ‘I totally know you nailed two of Cissy's girls.'

I shrug, which is my way of saying ‘hey, I'm a guy.' Out loud, I say, “Yeah, Hildy and I talked for an hour. Her school's going great.”

“Lots of
legal issues
with that school,” says Dad. “You ever put yourself in situations like that?” Translation: Am I going to have trouble with Cissy on this? Were any of the girls underage?

“No way. You know my system, Dad. I'm all about keeping it legal.”

Mom's eyes narrow. She's starting to see through our shit, which isn't good.

“What are you two boys talking about anyway?”

I put on my most winning and innocent smile. Mom is a sucker for dimples. “Dad and I were chatting about Hildy's new school for monopsyches. She built it in the Wastelands without Anton's permission. The Earl's having a hissy fit but she won't tear it down. Dad's acting as legal intermediary.”

“I'm changing a few laws so she can keep the school,” explains Dad. “I told you about that last week.” He kisses her forehead. “Your memory's a little tricky these days.”

Which is totally true.
Another reason to get the full story out of Mom.

A long pause hangs in the air. I'd hold my breath now, if I still needed to breathe.
Will Mom drop the Cissy conversation?

“Oh, that's right,” says Mom. “You did mention the legal troubles.”

And she's moving on. This is my lucky night.
I decide to push it.

“So, what's going on, Mom?”

My mother blushes, which is something that I've seen about three times in my life.

“We didn't want to say anything until we were certain,” she says.