"Ah, Belikov,' said Abe, shaking Dimitri's hand. "I'd been hoping we'd run into each other. I'd really like to get to know you better. Maybe we can set aside some time to talk, learn more about life, love, et cetera. Do you like to hunt? You seem like a hunting man. That's what we should do sometime. I know a great spot in the woods. Far, far away. We could make a day of it. I've certainly got a lot of questions I'd like to ask you. A lot of things I'd like to tell you too.'
I shot a panicked look at my mother, silently begging her to stop this. Abe had spent a good deal of time talking to Adrian when we dated, explaining in vivid and gruesome detail exactly how Abe expected his daughter to be treated. I did not want Abe taking Dimitri off alone into the wilderness, especially if firearms were involved.
"Actually,' said my mom casually. "I'd like to come along. I also have a number of questions--especially about when you two were back at St. Vladimir's.'
"Don't you guys have somewhere to be?' I asked hastily. "We're about to start.'
That, at least, was true. Nearly everyone was in formation, and the crowd was quieting. "Of course,' said Abe. To my astonishment, he brushed a kiss over my forehead before stepping away. "I'm glad you're back.' Then, with a wink, he said to Dimitri: "Looking forward to our chat.'
"Run,' I said when they were gone. "If you slip out now, maybe they won't notice. Go back to Siberia.'
"Actually,' said Dimitri, "I'm pretty sure Abe would notice. Don't worry, Roza. I'm not afraid. I'll take whatever heat they give me over being with you. It's worth it.'
"You really are the bravest man I know,' I told him.
He smiled, his eyes falling on a small commotion at the room's entrance. "Looks like she's ready,' he murmured.
"I hope I am,' I whispered back.
In true grandiose fashion, a herald brought the room to attention. Perfect silence fell. You couldn't even hear breathing.
The herald stepped back from the door. "Princess Vasilisa Sabina Rhea Dragomir.'
Lissa entered, and even though I'd seen her less than half an hour ago, I still caught my breath. She was wearing a formal gown but had once again dodged sleeves. No doubt the dress-maker had had a fit. The dress was floor-length, with a skirt of silk and chiffon layers that moved and fluttered around Lissa as she strode forward. The fabric was the same jade as her eyes, as was the dress's top, with a halter collar covered in emeralds that gave the illusion of a necklace. Matching emeralds covered the dress's belt, and bracelets completed the display. Her hair was worn long, brushed out to gleaming, platinum perfection, an aura unto itself.
Christian walked beside her, a sharp contrast with his black hair and dark suit. Customs were being modified significantly today since a family member normally would have escorted Lissa, but ... well, she was kind of running out. Even I had to admit he looked amazing, and his pride and love for her shone on his face--no matter what troubled feelings stirred within him over Tasha. Lord Ozera, I remembered. I had a feeling that title would become more and more important now. He led Lissa to the base of the throne and then joined the Ozera delegation in the crowd.
Ekaterina made a small gesture to a large satin pillow on the floor in front of the steps. "Kneel.'
There was the briefest hesitation on Lissa's part, one I think only I noticed. Even without the bond, I was so attuned to her mood and tiniest actions that I could pick up on these things. Her eyes had gone to Jill. Lissa's expression didn't change, and it was so strange not to know her feelings. I could make some educated guesses. Uncertainty. Confusion.
Again--the pause was only a moment long. Lissa knelt, artfully spreading her skirts around her as she did. Ekaterina had always seemed so frail and wizened in that testing room, but as she stood there with the ancient Moroi coronation book, I could sense a power still within the former queen.
The book was in Romanian, but Ekaterina translated it effortlessly as she read aloud, beginning with a speech about what was expected of a monarch and then going to the vows Lissa had to swear to.
"Will you serve?'
"Will you protect your people?'
"Will you be just?'
There were twelve in all, and Lissa had to answer "I will' three times to each one: in English, in Russian, and in Romanian. Not having the bond to confirm her feelings was still so strange, but I could see on her face that she meant every word she said. When that part finished, Ekaterina cued Jill forward. Since I'd last noticed the girl, someone had given her the crown to hold. It had been custom-made for Lissa, a masterpiece of white and yellow gold intertwined with emeralds and diamonds. It complemented her outfit beautifully, and, I noticed with a start, Jill did too.
Another tradition was that the monarch was crowned by a family member, and this was what Jill had been saved for. I could see her hands tremble as she laid the bejeweled wonder on her sister's head, and their gazes met briefly. A flash of troubled emotions swirled in Lissa's eyes once more, gone quickly as Jill stepped back and the weight of the ceremony took precedence.
Ekaterina held out her hand to Lissa. "Rise,' she said. "You will never kneel to anyone again.' Holding Lissa's hand, Ekaterina turned so that they both faced the rest of us in the room. With a voice startling for her small body, Ekaterina declared, "Queen Vasilisa Sabina Rhea Dragomir, first of her name.'
Everyone in the room--except Ekaterina--dropped to their knees, heads bowed. Only a few seconds passed before Lissa said, "Rise.' I'd been told this was at the monarch's discretion. Some new kings and queens enjoyed making others kneel for a long time.
Paperwork followed, which we all watched dutifully as well. Basically, it was Lissa signing to say she'd been made queen while Ekaterina and a couple witnesses signed that they'd seen Lissa made queen. Three copies were on the ornate paper Moroi royalty so loved. One was plain white letterhead, which would go to the Alchemists.
When the signing was done, Lissa took her place on the throne, and seeing her ascend those stairs was breathtaking, an image that would stay with me for the rest of my life. The room broke out into cheers and clapping as she settled into the ornate chair. Even the guardians, who normally stayed so deadly serious, joined in the applause and celebration. Lissa smiled at everyone, hiding whatever anxiety she felt.
She scanned the room, and her grin broadened when she saw Christian. She then sought me out. Her smile for him had been affectionate; mine was a bit humorous. I smiled back, wondering what she would say to me if she could.
"What's so funny?' asked Dimitri, looking down at me with amusement.
"I'm just thinking about what Lissa would say if we still had the bond.' In a very bad breach of guardian protocol, he caught a hold of my hand and pulled me toward him. "And?' he asked, wrapping me in an embrace.