CHAPTER FORTY TWO

"Don't you think this dress makes me look kind of tubby?" I glanced into the mirrors surrounding me, not liking what I saw one bit. This was supposed to be a special day. I needed to look my best.

Bastion snorted, coming up behind me and wrapping me in his warm and electrifying embrace. "You're allowed to look tubby. You're pregnant, baby." He grinned, flashing me his dimples as we made eye contact through the mirror in front of me.

I swatted at his arm playfully. "That's not what you're supposed to say," I chided, making him pout, cradling his arm as if I had hurt him.

"You're supposed to say, 'No, Aria, you don't look tubby one bit.'" Rory helped, smirking as he finished tying his tie.

Bastion huffed into my shoulder. "But it is true, love. You're only going to get bigger. You have two whole beings growing inside of you."

I frowned, rubbing my hand over my swollen belly. "Yeah, but I'm only three months along. I'm not supposed to be this big yet."

"Again, twins," Rory stated, pecking my cheek before sauntering out of the dressing room. "Don't be late. Ten minutes 'til showtime," he said with a wave on his way to the hall.

Bastion rolled his eyes, making me giggle. "What do you say we ditch, just to piss him off?" He whispered against my neck, his eyes darkened with mischief.

"And miss my own coronation? You've had your seal for ages. There's no way in hell I'm missing my chance to finally get my own." He suckled on the sensitive bit of flesh beneath my ear, eliciting a drawn-out moan from between my ruby lips.

"Are you sure I can't persuade you?" He asked again.

I reached down with my hand, tracing the outline of his belt and slacks before reaching his growing erection. I gave it a firm squeeze, making him jump and release me. I stepped out of his reach so I could put on my dangly diamond earrings, trying to hide my smile.

"It's not nice to tease, baby," he warned, his eyes black and wanting.

"That's what you get when you don't behave." He growled at my words, making me giggle. "Come on, bad boy. Let's go get crowned." I grabbed onto his tie, giving him a hard but quick kiss before tugging him behind me. I knew if I didn't, we would never make it out.

I was giving him a hard time, but I was honestly glad to see him smiling again. There was a time after our war when he wouldn't even grin. I couldn't blame him, though. He lost his father that day, and almost lost me and the twins. It was hell on his mental health. Thankfully, we had a vampire who worked as a psychiatrist in the city. He spoke to him for a month or so before I really saw improvement. He still wasn't willing to go near the oasis again, but I was fine with that. He needed time. The trauma he had endured in a couple of months could drive anyone crazy.

I was offered a shoulder to cry on as well, but I refused. Not because I thought I was above it, but because I had a lot of support around me already that got me through the difficult times. My mother and I got through the loss of James together with many late-night walks down memory lane. When we weren't together, Anthony was by her side, walking her along in her path of emotional healing. They were beginning to be less secretive about the amount of time they were spending together, but she still hadn't mentioned their relationship to me yet. I hoped she would at least tell me before I was old and gray.

"You're walking too fast," I complained, tugging on Bastion's rolled-up sleeve. My hips were killing me, and I was still a little sore from the previous night's tryst, but I didn't want to drink from Rory until after the coronation for fear his blood would stain something. Be it my dress or teeth, I couldn't risk either.

"I can help with that," Bastion responded matter-of-factly, turning around and lifting me into his strong arms. I squeaked, tugging up the front of my sleeveless dress before my breasts managed to spill out. He kept a slow and steady pace, ensuring that I didn't get motion sick along the way. I made him put me down before we got to the stage, which he reluctantly agreed to, still maintaining a hold on my hand as we ascended the platform together.

Rory was already waiting for us, offering me a charming smile and helping hand to assist me into the chair. I took it, and both men lowered me into my somewhat lavish gold and red satin seat. Once all 1,000 of our kingdom's people were present, we began the ceremony.

Jesse approached the three of us clad in a long white and gold robe, his seal alight behind it. "Welcome, Opalescent Kingdom, to the coronation of our first Royal Family." The crowd went wild with applause but quieted when Jesse raised a hand. "We will begin with the crownings of our two Kings. If you will, King Bastion, King Rory?" He gestured to two buttoned and tassel-adorned red pillows in front of the thrones. The Kings followed his orders, moving to kneel before the crowd.

"Here to bestow King Rory's crown is our court messenger, Dylan Claus." Dylan stepped onto the stage holding an incredibly intricate gold and ruby crown in his hands. "King Rory, do you vow to serve the Opalescent Kingdom with the ultimate goal of uniting and bringing peace to all supernatural beings?"

Rory smiled up at Jesse before responding, "With my life." With that, Dylan stepped forward, placing the headpiece atop Rory's wavy blonde locks. His right shoulder shone brightly at the contact, making the auditorium erupt once again. Once they quieted down, he moved onto Bastion.

"Here to bestow King Bastion's crown is our court advisor, Brett Lawson." Brett followed suit from my left, giving me a half smile as he cradled an equally intricate crown in his own arms. Yeah, I had made the decision to keep what happened in the oasis between he and I. I knew that, ultimately, he was afraid to lose his father, and I didn't blame him for that. I probably would have done the same for my dad. Besides, I really did believe him when he explained that he didn't expect his dad to try to kill me, even after he lost the battle. So, he remained our court advisor, and I was the only one who knew of his little secret.

"King Bastion, do you vow to serve the Opalescent Kingdom with the ultimate goal of uniting and bringing peace to all supernatural beings?" Bastion grinned widely at his best friend before turning back to our High Priest.

"With my life." With a nod, Brett followed suit, making Bastion's shoulder glow and the room celebrate.

Then, it was my turn. Finally. I had been waiting for my seal for ages. "Queen Aria, if you please." I stood from my chair, taking long and graceful strides towards my pillow, where both Rory and Bastion offered their hands to guide me to kneel. Once I was in place, I was surprised to see Lord Lysander on my right and Luna on my left. It seemed that Jesse was the only other person who could see them, though, and we shared a knowing smile.

"Good evening, Queen." Lysander smirked, taking slow steps to me. "You look lovely tonight."

"Stop buttering her up. She still hasn't forgiven you for the crap you pulled last week," Luna barked, making Jesse and I laugh and everyone else confused. "Anyway, dear, are you ready for your seal?" I nodded excitedly, looking to Jesse to speak.

"Queen Aria. The gods have decided to bestow on you a royal seal. This seal will serve as a symbol for anyone who might cross you that you are blessed and chosen by our higher powers to lead our people. Do you accept this?"

"Yes."

"They didn't ask us all this shit," I heard Bastion whisper to Rory, making me and Lysander stifle a laugh. Then, in complete unison, the twin gods held their hands over my head, the familiar rush of light flooding my senses as I sensed the burning of my seal crawl down my spine and around my chest, finally stopping just below my breasts. I looked between Luna and Lysander with a raised brow. How was I supposed to show anyone this seal as proof without flashing them? They both shrugged, leaning forward to kiss opposite cheeks before vanishing without a trace.

Jesse blushed, slightly flustered for the same reason I was, before continuing. "Here to bestow the Queen's crown are her two Kings, King Rory and King Bastion." I looked up with widened eyes as they stood to their feet beside me. I honestly expected it to be my mom, but I was so incredibly touched that it would be them. They both smirked, clearly pleased that I was successfully surprised.

Jesse reached to the table behind him, where he picked up a delicate and stunning tiara covered in shining white opals, walking it over and handing it to the two men. I met each of their eyes with tears in my own, and they smiled back at me with such love and adoration that I thought I would burst.

"Queen Aria, do you vow to serve the Opalescent Kingdom with the ultimate goal of uniting and bringing peace to all supernatural beings?" I filled my lungs, exhaling slowly as I peered across the rows of men, women, and children staring back at me.

"With my life." And with that, I was crowned as Queen. My people went wild, throwing white and gold pieces of confetti in the air as I was helped to my feet.

"What's next?" Bastion whispered beside me.

"I suppose the Sire King," Rory groaned. But I wasn't afraid. I knew we would succeed somehow, so long as I had my two loves by my side.