Page 88 of Hymn of Breath and Bone

When the storm grew again to rattle the windows, I followed Caspian in his release. Spent, I panted against his neck as he held me fast, like he feared the world might still take me from him.

“Are you hurt?” I asked, fighting the urge to light more candles and check all of his stitches.

“I’m perfect,” he rumbled, his breath hot against my ear as he held me. I felt down the bond, not completely convinced he was telling the truth. There were some small aches and hurts, yes, but nothing severe, and I relaxed into him. “Marina.”

“What?” I asked, sliding off him so that my head rested on his shoulder. He groaned slightly as I shifted, his wings paining him no matter which way he lay.

Finally finding a comfortable position, Caspian tilted my face toward his into the darkness. “You’re going to make a magnificent queen.”

“Why do you say that?” I asked, eyes darting to the crown left on the table.

Caspian chuckled as if he knew exactly what I had done. “Because I watched you today. The way you spoke to your father’s advisors, ordered them around. You told me that females were not seen as equals in the isles, but that’s not what I saw today. And if this is day one of your rule, then I can only imagine what years of it will bring.”

I blushed at his praise. “Technically it was day zero, since I haven’t been crowned yet.”

Caspian laughed again and kissed the top of my head. “Then we’d better make sure to address that problem with haste.”

Chapter 31

The sun had nearlyset when a knock sounded at the door. “You’re late, Urchin.”

“It will be more dramatic, my love,” I replied, rolling my eyes as I pinned the final feather in my hair in preparation for my official coronation as Selkie Queen.

I turned and Caspian froze, his eyes wide as he took in the blue, silky gown I’d worn the night we first met, the ornamental shellpauldrons, now adorned with my very own sea dragon scale like his, and my hair, adorned with shells and feathers and braids.

He looked resplendent as well, with the addition of a necklace of sea dragon fangs—gifted, not stolen—and shells adorning his shoulders. The new scars across his chest and side made him look more rugged and fierce now that they were healed—my warrior king, fresh from battle for his people.

He was also wearing a selkie kilt that showed off his muscular tanned legs. It did terrible things to me, and I couldn’t wait to tear it off of him later.

“Skies, Marina,” he breathed. “You are a goddess.”

“So I’ve been told,” I smiled, taking his arm in mine as he grinned down at me. “Shall we?”

“I thought we’d fly,” he countered, opening his arms to me.

I frowned. “Your wings—”

“Have been officially cleared for flight by Mira herself,” Caspian interrupted, placing strong hands on my hips. “I even flew this morning.”

“It's only been two weeks,” I argued, skeptical that the amount of damage he’d suffered could have fully healed that soon. Granted, he’d been forced to rest most of that time, sitting through endless meetings and negotiating trade and new governance.

“I’m fine, Urchin,” Caspian drawled impatiently. “I tested them this morning.”

He grinned at my incredulous stare. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I knew you wouldn’t approve.” With another grin he scooped me up into his arms.

He headed for the balcony that adjoined our chambers and threw open the doors. The winter evening chilled and pebbled my skin as the sun dipped below the horizon, but it was going to be a beautiful Solstice night.

Caspian launched in a gust of wind, laughing as I squeaked in surprise.

“Go slow,” I commanded, clinging to his neck as we rose above the keep. “You’ll ruin my hair.”

“Can’t have that, can we?” he teased, swooping in a controlled dive toward the beach below us where our subjects were gathered—selkies and sirens upon the beach, glittering sea dragons and kelpies in the surf beyond.

Some of my people were still wary, I knew. Caspian had made sure it was known publicly that no siren was to use their song to compel any selkie, but many still chose to plug their ears in fear of siren song. The fact that they were willing to stand together was enough of a victory for now.

Many of the Nordhavn mates had chosen to stay through the celebration. Those who had already returned home did so with the open invitation to return whenever, and the promise of open trade and travel between the Isles and the mainland.