“Aris looks as nervous as you,” Mika said. “Ignas seems to be trying to keep him calm. Prince Nik made quite the statement earlier. The knights will protect you and Aris with their lives.”
Faust pursed his lips. Mika’s aura flared with his statement, growing a darker purple, and yet it shone brighter. He’d never seen someone’s aura do that. Faust shook the thought from his head. Nik was doing him an enormous favor with this whole ceremony. He needed to stay focused.
“It’s time,” Mika said.
Faust stood tall and swallowed slowly. The music in the room shifted, and people moved to either side of the ballroom.
Mika threw the curtain back. “Presenting His Royal Majesty, Faust Kingsley, King of Alios, and the next High King of Alimphis.”
A wave of gasps drifted through the air at the sight of him, but Faust’s attention was on Aris as he descended the stairs. The sight of him took Faust’s breath away. Aris’s outfit accented his slender figure. The deity was covered up as much as him, with jewelry attached to an elaborate long-sleeved tunic. Aris appeared more important than royalty with the jewels flickering across his clothes.
Faust continued to gawk, taking each step with careful grace. Aris wore a sheer half cape as well, but what grabbed his attention was Aris’s hair. It was down with a circlet of his own. Terrence had outdone himself. Aris locked eyes with him, unable to drop his gaze, and even Ignas struggled to keep his jaw from dropping. Faust’s heart fluttered to have both of their undivided attention. He had pleased them. He didn’t think it would feel this gratifying.
Faust paused at the bottom of the stairs. He bowed to his people before his long walk to Aris and stopped an arm’s length away.
Aris kneeled on one knee and raised one hand.
Faust placed his hand in Aris’s.
Aris kissed the top of Faust’s hand, and the room erupted in applause. The deity stood and led Faust over to the thrones at the top of the small stairs.
Aris touched the armrest of the chair in which he was to sit. It was a royal throne, much like Faust’s.
Nik stood next to Terrence, eyeing the guild master with great intent, but Terrence motioned to the task at hand.
Nik cleared his throat. “It is with great pleasure that I, Nik Kingsley, present His Eminence, Aris, and his king, Faust Kingsley, to the people. As His Eminence’s king, Faust will be the High King.”
A wave of gasps passed through the crowd again.
“There are several deities,” Nik continued. “Emoris and Lathil tried to keep this information from us—the deities must listen to the High King. They knew who they held prisoner. King Konrad tried to break free from their chain of lies but was unsuccessful. His Eminence retrieved his king, and they will begin their journey to end Emoris and Lathil’s oppressive reign.”
A guard brought over a plush cushion to Terrence with an elaborate crown fit for a High King. All four magic stones lay embedded within twisted gold.
Nik picked up the crown and walked up the steps. “It is time to witness the birth of a new High King and a brighter future for Alimphis,” Nik said at the top.
Faust removed his old crown and set it upon the plush maroon cushion Mika presented him. He kneeled before his brother.
Nik passed the crown to Aris.
Aris held the crown and breathed deep. The wind swirled and danced through the ballroom as his sky-blue wings fluttered to life behind him and his hair lightened once more. Aris’s blond hair swayed in the wind and his deity marking pulsed. He placed the intricate crown on Faust’s head.
The crowd kneeled in waves, their heads bowed.
“People of Alios,” Terrence said. “After centuries of waiting, we have a new High King and Linos. The oppressive deities will be punished. Our future is bright!”
Faust stood as Terrence and Nik kneeled. “I am certain many of you know by now that Emoris attempted to murder me and Their Excellencies prefer to use me as a puppet,” he said. “With my rule, I intend to fulfill the duties of the High King and ensure that the people are heard, protected, and stand on equal footing with the deities. I will pass judgment on the deities and bring an end to this senseless corruption.” He turned to Aris and extended his hand, waiting for Aris to take it. “Together we will bring about a new era for Alimphis!”
Faust pushed magic into the stones along his crown and they sparked, reflecting various colors throughout the room.
The room erupted into cries of valor.
Chapter Fifty-Eight
Faust sat back on his throne. He’d seen almost everyone in the ballroom, but he knew there were more. Faust glanced at Mika.
Mika moved in front of Faust. “The High King and His Eminence will now take a small break from their session.”
Faust stood and put his hand out to Aris. He led his deity off the throne area and out onto a guarded balcony. Ignas and Mika stood at the entrance behind them, and he breathed in fresh air.
Aris chuckled. “I didn’t expect everyone would want an audience with you.”
“I have not been among the people of Shar for many years. It is only natural that my people would wish to see me, even if it’s just to congratulate us.” Faust moved a strand of Aris’s hair behind his ear. “You need not waste your energy out here with me.”
Aris relaxed his shoulders, leaning against the railing. His hair darkened to brown and his deity marking pulsed one last time before fading.
Faust gazed out at the flickering flames throughout the city. At least the flames here weren’t green like they were in Limorous. The natural flames suited the people more than the flames of the green deities.
Faust turned his gaze to the crowd. All the people of Shar were somewhere in the mansion, inside or out. The people were enjoying food, wine, and music, but he spotted merchants engaged in selling items made by Terrence. He smiled.
Aris leaned closer. “What is it?”
Faust pointed. “Terrence has been hard at work. I am glad my people are enjoying themselves.”
“Our people,” Aris corrected.
“Our people.” Faust nodded. He closed his eyes and listened to the music. It was soothing and held such a carefree sound, as if he were flying. It carried through the wind and tousled his hair. He opened his eyes slowly, aware of Aris’s intense stare.
Faust turned with a grin. “Something wrong? Or do you just like what you see?”
Aris leaned in close enough, so his breath cascaded over Faust’s cheek. “Oh, I like it.”
“Only like it?”
“I love it. You are the perfect image of power and grace, a true leader.” Aris leaned up and stole a small, chaste kiss. “May I have this dance?”
“You may.”
Aris led Faust away from the ledge and waltzed Faust around, despite his smaller stature. His eyes flickered with mirth as he spun them around once, twice, and stared into Faust’s narrowing gaze.
Faust raked his eyes over Aris and took the lead. He moved Aris around with practiced ease, chuckling at the way Aris stumbled into his rhythm instead. It was far easier for him to lead than the other way around.
Faust barely noticed the shift in the music as they danced to their own tune, their capes floating on the air of each careful step. The light caught Aris’s crown, and each gem on his clothing glistened with the light of the flames and moonlight from high in the sky. Their magic stones pulsed with each step in an elegant winding of light as if they’d stepped out into the clouds. They weren’t even dancing to the music anymore as the sky-blue orbs of light speckled the air around them.