Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 127026 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 635(@200wpm)___ 508(@250wpm)___ 423(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127026 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 635(@200wpm)___ 508(@250wpm)___ 423(@300wpm)
Finally, the music was halted, and a large multitiered cake was brought forth to the center of the ballroom. A candle was lit with a flash of her father’s rarely seen magic, and everyone began to sing the traditional name day song to her.
“Make a wish,” Clover cheered from the sideline.
She closed her eyes and thought of precisely what—who—she wanted, and then she blew out the candle. Cake was distributed to those in attendance. Kerrigan devoured the raspberry delicacy as March approached her once more.
“Kerrigan,” he said, sliding a hand onto her sleeve, “may I have a moment alone to give you your present?”
“I …”
Then, Kivrin appeared with a nod in March’s direction before turning back to his daughter. “It’s time.”
“Oh. Now?”
“Time for what?” March asked icily.
“A speech,” he said with a fake smile. “Shall we?”
Kerrigan nodded. “All right.”
Her stomach rattled as she let Kivrin draw her away from March. It wasn’t as if she wanted to talk to him or get any kind of present from him. It was hard enough, wearing the gaudy engagement ring he had given her. But what was coming next was something she wished she could put off for longer. She just knew that she couldn’t.
Kerrigan moved to the front of the room and stood on the first step of the massive marble staircase. Kerrigan used the voice-amplifying air charm to clear her throat. “Hello. May I have your attention?”
Conversations died down, and the crowd turned to face her with a mix of interest and bafflement.
“Thank you so much for coming to my name day party. I hope that you all are having a pleasant time. I just want a minute of your time before we open up the gardens and pools for your enjoyment for the rest of the evening.”
There was a smattering of applause at that. Kivrin was known for having incredible gardens with water displays and fireworks.
“As you know, today is my eighteenth name day. The day that most Fae are officially able to join the dragon tournament.” Kerrigan tilted her head. “I suppose I skipped a step.”
The crowd laughed.
“But there are other things that can only be done once someone has reached their eighteenth, and that is what I am here to announce today.”
March’s brow furrowed, and he leaned forward in confusion. She smiled at him, and it wasn’t her mask, but her true face.
“As of today, I am officially the head of household for the House of Cruse.”
23
THE ANNOUNCEMENT
The crowd erupted into shocked whispers at her announcement as head of household. Kerrigan felt the ripple of surprise like a real force. She had known it would come. She had felt it herself when it was first introduced. But she wouldn’t … couldn’t back down because of their unease.
Kivrin held his hand up to gain silence once more. “Silence, please.”
“The paperwork has already been signed, witnessed, and a copy will be sent to the king and queen of Bryonica to show that I am the new leader of my house. The estate that you stand in belongs to me, and I am responsible for the people of my land. I take this responsibility seriously,” she said calmly. “Some might have objections, but I have already been confirmed into my position, and it is final.”
A tense silence followed. Kerrigan liked that much better.
“As my first act as head of household, I have opened the House of Cruse to refugees who fled the House of Shadows. Any who wish to join Bryonica and become a part of my house are welcome.”
This caused an even bigger stir than Kerrigan’s admittance as head of household. It was one thing for an eighteen-year-old to take this step, but it was another entirely to hurt the house. And Kivrin had warned her that it was what people would say. That she would be diluting the bloodlines.
Fine by her. If she was a dilution and had become head of household and a Society member, then maybe they all needed a little more mixed blood.
“I have already inducted two of the House of Shadows into our midst this very night,” she continued over their objections. “Any who wish to come forward will be given a place with me. A tract of land is already being cleared in Corsica Forest to create new housing for those who wish to leave the city and start fresh.”
She inclined her head at Benton and Bayton, who stood with tears in their eyes. She hadn’t told them of her full plans. Just that they were included, but Kerrigan couldn’t stop there. No one was doing anything about the refugees. She couldn’t simply sit on a mountain of wealth when she could help so many people.
“Again, thank you so much for coming,” Kerrigan said. “Enjoy the party.”
And then, finally—finally—she turned her face toward March. He stood frozen in place, right where she had left him. Her father had warned her that March might be upset, but she hadn’t truly known what to expect. If she hadn’t looked over at him in that very moment, she wouldn’t have known his true feeling.