Queen Glaciana Frostborne Alpineglow's Arc

Chapter 32 of 33

The name was chosen. Now Glaciana had to carry it home. She climbed onto the dragon with Serene wrapped against her chest. Victor settled behind her, one arm steady at her back. The wings beat down, and Elariel's house dropped away below them. The sun hung low and red over the peaks. They had until dark. The dragon landed in the courtyard of the Azure Frostkeep. Blue and white banners hung from its pale towers. Both courts had gathered inside, elders from two kingdoms, waiting to see the heir. Kira ran out to meet them before the wings had folded. Her white tail lashed once behind her. "They've been asking since midday," she said. "Some think you ran. Walk in now, both of you, and let them see her." Glaciana's arms ached around her daughter. "If they doubt the child, they doubt the whole charter. Both thrones, one line. It all rests on the next hour." Victor lifted her down from the dragon. "Then we don't give them room to doubt," he said. He touched Serene's cheek with one finger. "We present her together. One word, no speech." Kira pulled the great doors open. The hall fell silent. Elders in two colors of robe turned as one. Glaciana felt their eyes land on the bundle and sharpen. She remembered standing in this same hall for her wedding, calming a storm with her hands. This time she carried something she could not shield with magic. She walked the center of the hall. Victor matched her step. The dragon followed and lay down across the doorway, silver and vast, horns glowing. The elders who had muttered went still at the sight of it. The creature had sworn loyalty to this child. Now it guarded her entrance. Glaciana stopped before both courts. She drew back the furs so every face could see. "This is my daughter," she said. "Heir to both thrones, bound as one under our charter." Her voice did not shake. "Her name is Serene Alpineglow." For a moment no one moved. Then an elder of Victor's court stepped forward and knelt. One of Glaciana's followed. The kneeling spread down the hall like snow sliding off a roof. Kira pressed a hand to her mouth. The dragon lowered its head to the floor. Victor set his hand over Glaciana's on the child. "It holds," he said quietly. "Both courts. One line." Glaciana breathed out three years of fear. The heir was named and accepted. The kingdom she had fought to keep alive now had a future to pass it to. Then an elder rose, his face tight. "The child is accepted, Majesty," he said. "But a single heir is a thin thread for two crowns. It would be much easier if you had another heir so the workload is balanced, your majesty.” Victor and Glaciana looked at each other and knew the elder spoke right. The king and queen blushed as they were actually already ahead of the idea…