“Kolis must’ve tried to summon the crown,” Ash said. “And what he got was likely not what he wanted to see.”

Pulling my hand back, I looked up at him. “Your crown is now his,” I whispered.

“And your head will bear the true crown of the Primal of Life,” he replied.

“But yours—”

“It returned to its rightful owner,” he cut in.

I didn’t like that. Not for one second. “At least for now.”

Ash’s gaze met mine. “For now.”

Much to Rhain’s displeasure, I didn’t wear the crown as Ash and I left the House of Haides. It just didn’t feel right with Ash missing his.

Besides, I didn’t believe a crown—no matter how glittery—made a Queen or King.

But all thoughts of crowns quickly fell to the wayside when the sweeping colonnade and endless archways of the City Hall came into view.

It seemed like it had only taken minutes, even though Ash had summoned the warhorse Odin from the silver band around his biceps instead of shadowstepping. That method would’ve been quicker. We wouldn’t have needed nearly every guard on duty to surround us or the three draken that flew above us. But the moment it came time to leave, my stomach began dipping and lurching. My thoughts raced, telling me I would sound completely idiotic when I addressed the people. I knew without a doubt that Ash had picked up on my anxiety and had chosen to travel this way to give me time to, well, find my footing again.

He was too damn perfect because, even though I was still nervous, I was far calmer than I thought myself capable of.

Odin slowed as the draken glided toward the open coliseum, extending their wings to slow their descent. I watched as Ehthawn and his cousin Crolee landed on the colonnade. Pallas, a large, striking gray-and-black draken, followed, landing on the other side of the colonnade. I was pretty sure he was the one I’d spotted when I surveyed the armies.

But several more draken of various sizes were already perched on the columns. I quickly counted them. Ten. Nektas wasn’t here yet, and I knew Mestra had taken Reaver back to Mount Rhee. I bet Liora was with them, along with two more draken, who would likely remain at Mount Rhee to watch over the younglings. I swallowed, having never seen so many draken in one location before.

As Odin came to a stop, I picked up on the hum of conversation coming from within the City Hall. I dragged in a deep breath of fresh air. There was no scent of burning oil as my gaze lowered and swept over the rows of armored soldiers. I didn’t remember seeing the headpieces the last time I’d seen them standing before the City Hall. The steel-and-shadowstone helmets weren’t something easily forgotten.

Instead of a decorative ridge of dyed horsehair, the steel and shadowstone had been shaped into a crown of horns that bore a resemblance to Nektas’s. The cheek pieces swept out and up into draken wings. The helmets were as fierce as they were beautiful and were surely a fearsome sight in battle.

Rhahar and Kars had already gotten down from their horses and were waiting for us, along with Rhain. I knew Saion, Bele, and the twins were already inside the City Hall.

Along with likely everyone who called Lethe home.

Ash dismounted with a swift and graceful motion, landing lightly on his feet. His eyes caught mine as he reached up. Heart thudding, I took his hands, and he helped me down without pointing out how hard I was gripping his fingers.

He lowered his head to mine and whispered, “Breathe, liessa.”

I hadn’t realized I had been holding my breath for over five seconds. It seemed I wasn’t as calm as I thought I was. I sucked in a long, deep breath, drawing in his fresh, citrusy scent. Neither of us moved for a few moments. Could’ve been minutes. I stood there, shielded by his body and Odin’s. He didn’t move until my breathing steadied. Then he pressed his cool lips to my forehead.

He stepped back, and I gave Odin’s glossy black mane one last pat, thankful that he didn’t attempt to nip at my hand today. He hadn’t last night either.

Apparently, he’d gotten over the whole me-trying-to-kill-Ash thing.

With my hand folded firmly in Ash’s, we turned to the entry house as the three guards stepped to our sides.

Every soldier moved in perfect harmony, kneeling as they thumped their fists off their armor while two rows of about three dozen more faced one another, unsheathing shadowstone swords. They raised them high, creating a walkway.

“Wow,” I murmured, my eyes wide as I realized the echo of their fists had silenced the chatter coming from within the City Hall.

One side of Ash’s lips curved up as his thumb moved back and forth over mine. “You liked that?”

“It was rather impressive,” I said as we walked forward.

I could hear the hiss of swords slicing through the air, lowering behind Rhahar, Kars, and Rhain as they followed us. That was how quiet the City Hall had become.

We passed through the doors of the entry house, and my gaze immediately flicked to the rounded archway leading to the City Hall’s main floor. I remembered exactly how long the walk was from that doorway to the dais.

It felt like it took ten years.

“I’m going to head out,” Rhain said, glancing between us as the doors of the entry house closed. “And announce your arrival.”

“I wish we could just enter without it being a big deal,” I admitted as Ash’s thumb continued to sweep over my hand.

Rhain arched a brow. “It’s tradition, Seraphena.”

“Sera,” I murmured, eyeing the archway.

“And Rhain also likes to make the announcement,” Rhahar commented, his shoulder brushing Rhain’s as he moved to a narrow table along the opposite wall. “Because he’s good at it.”

The auburn-haired god’s cheeks turned pink. “I’m excellent at it,” Rhain corrected.

Rhahar snorted as he picked up a pitcher and then came to our side with two bronze chalices. “I believe it’s mulled wine.”

“Thank you.” I accepted the chalice and took a hasty gulp. I barely tasted the spice.

Ash took a far more sedate drink as Lailah appeared in the archway, her braids swept back into a knot at the nape of her neck. “Everything should be ready in a few minutes.”

Only a few minutes?

I took another drink, this time only a sip. “How many people are here?”

Lailah glanced back over her shoulder. “Everyone.”

“Everyone?” I squeaked. That was a hundred thousand. My grip tightened on the chalice. Well, it would be more than that, actually, if one counted the new arrivals.

Holy shit.

“Go ahead and make your way out there,” Ash said. “Just give us a couple of minutes before you make the announcement.”

Rhain nodded, glancing briefly at me. He started to turn but stopped and spoke in a low voice, “You will do fine, Sera.”

“Thank you,” I whispered.

“Us, too?” Rhahar asked as Rhain passed him and entered the main floor.

“If you would,” Ash requested.

Rhahar turned as Kars bowed curtly. “We will see you out there,” the godling said.

I gave them an awkward wave that earned another grin from Kars.

Then, it was just Ash and me.

Ash set his chalice on a nearby pedestal. “Do you remember the last time we were here?”

“Of course.” My heart skipped, but for a far different reason this time. “It was when I realized I was in love with you.”

His lips parted. “Is that what you wanted to say when you told me you wanted this union between us?”

“Yes, but I was too afraid and thought—”

Ash kissed me.

And gods, it was a wrecking kiss that was beautiful and raw, yet somehow infinitely tender. It was another of his kisses that spoke so much love.

He was breathing heavily as he rested his forehead against mine. “When we were here last, I told you that your beauty captured my breath,” he said, cupping my cheek. “That remains true, is even more so now, but it is your strength and your courage that have truly ensnared me.”