Acarad peeked past the curtains separating him from the crowd of nobles from Glade and her allies. People wore their best tonight, in their glittering robes with earthly colors. More than a fair share of nobles wore their colors, and a few wore their kingdom’s colors. Acarad watched as they nibbled at delicacies and sipped at wine or cider, knots growing in his stomach as though it had room for more. He felt the weight on his father’s hand on his shoulder and turned away from the curtain.

“Are you ready,” he asked.

“No,” Acarad reached up to run a hand through his hair. “I can’t replace Josh. I don’t want to replace him.”

“The position needs to be filled,” King Joseph took his son’s hands in his. “If I could keep this burden off of your shoulders Acarad, I would.”

“Are you two alright,” Queen Allah asked, putting a hand on each man’s shoulder.

“Mum I don’t know if I can do this,” Acarad shook his head. “I am nothing like Josh.”

“We aren’t asking you to be,” Allah smoothed Acarad’s robes over his shoulders. “No one will ever replace him. You can be a prince and king without acting the part you aren’t meant to play.”

“This will be difficult to do with your duties as a Drifter,” Joseph said slowly. “But remember, you have us and your sister. We can help you along, all you need to do is ask.”

“Thank you,” Acarad took a shaky breath and nodded. “I think I can get through tonight.”

“Then let’s get this finished,” Allah smoothed her gown down and gestured for the curtains to be pulled apart.

When the curtains pulled apart, Acarad kept his gaze over the heads of the nobles. To his surprise, Endrah hovered in the back of the room. He smiled just a little as he and his parents stepped forward. The nobles turned to the stage and fell silent when his mother raised her arms to call for silence.

“My people, tonight is a bittersweet one,” Queen Allah’s voice was soft, but reached everyone in the room. “Tonight, we fill the position of crown prince.”

“Our son Joshua was killed near two months ago,” King Joseph heaved a deep sigh. “But our queen cannot be left without an heir indefinitely.”

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

“So tonight, we raise our youngest child to take the crown of the heir,” Queen Allah took a half step back and to the side. “I present Prince Acarad James Allison, Wizard and Earth Drifter.”

The gathered nobility cheered and clapped politely as a servant brought the heir’s crown to them. The royal crest was front and center in the crown, picked out in silver; a bear bracing itself against a great oak. The rest of the crown was gold with white diamonds shaped like tree saplings. Queen Allah took the crown off of its dark blue pillow and raised it over her head. She led a prayer in a language older than the royal archives as she put it on her son’s head. The people followed her word for word. Acarad kept his eyes on the wall, close to Endrah, as he felt the weight settle on the dozen braids on his head. He felt as if a weight also settled on his shoulders when the crowd cheered and raised their drinks into the air.

The night wore on and Acarad danced around nobles attempting to monopolize his time. Endrah on the other hand found himself the center of attention and couldn’t quite dance his way away. More humans than he had ever seen in one place made a circle around him and Endrah found himself struggling not to take flight. Women and men alike asked him what he was doing at the crowning ceremony, why he was wearing so much gray, and if he had brought someone with him or if he had been brought by someone else. The sound and smell of so many humans nearly overwhelmed him before he could get any answers out.

“Master Sprite, why hide your wings,” one woman asked.

“Master Sprite, did you come with someone tonight,” a man asked,

“Well aren’t you popular,” Acarad’s gentle voice had the crowd parting like children caught in the sweet stash. “Let’s change your scenery a bit for a few minutes.” Acarad wrapped an arm around Endrah’s shoulders and led him away from the nobles. Endrah followed the prince’s lead and walked out into the garden with him.

“Thank you for pulling me out,” Endrah sighed and tugged at his braid.

“You are welcome,” Acarad moved his arm from Endrah’s shoulders. “I actually didn’t expect you to be here tonight.”

“I finished with my last Calling and I was close enough that it would be worth the effort,” Endrah’s gold eyes met Acarad’s brown for a moment. “I wanted to come support you.”

“Thank you,” Acarad made as if to take Endrah’s hand in his but stopped. “I needed someone there outside of my family.”

“I don’t think I have ever seen so many humans in one place before,” Endrah chuckled. “But I think I know what you mean.”

“If you need rescuing again, just call to me along the bond,” Acarad moved a bit closer to Endrah.

“I will,” Endrah closed the distance between them and gave Acarad a peck on the cheek. “You do the same for me if you need to.”

Acarad stepped around Endrah and melted back into the crowd. Endrah however, waited a few minutes. He gave his braid a good tug or two as he tried to slip into the crowd again. Endrah was met just beside the garden doors by a child, no older than ten. He smiled and knelt down in front of her.

“Hello little one,” Endrah offered a hand to her. “My name is Endrah Feyborn.”

“I am Camilla Cypril,” her eyes didn’t meet his but she gave him a little curtsy.

“Well little Lady Camilla,” Endrah took his hand back. “Would you show me how to dance? I am afraid I don’t know how to dance the dances the other adults are doing.”

Camilla laughed and nodded. Endrah stood and followed her to the ballroom. They joined the adults as a new song started.