Book 2: Coronation

Estrella

I smooth my hands over the fabric of my soft, golden coronation dress, shot through with strands of color. Purple for the sky at night. Rich brown for the sand of the desert beyond our little oasis. Gray for Father’s eyes. Red for the heart of our people.

The heart I hold in my cold hands.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” Mother says.

I force a smile and nod. Father’s funeral is already over. As always, Yana’s words were beautiful. Between Father’s remaining advisors and me, we managed to set up a showing most of the capital could filter through to pay their respects. I’ve spent the last four hours overseeing condolences, and my cheeks ache. But if my cheeks ache, I am feeling something other than the hollow ache in my chest.

“You’re going to look lovely.” Tess pauses braiding my hair to stroke the fabric. “I can’t imagine anything better.”

“Thank you both,” I reply, rote and automatic. “Where did it come from?”

“My hope chest