章 160: The Glittering Queen

ELIA

Elia hardly dared breathe in case she broke the spell.

She and Reth had arrived for the feast and had almost immediately been circled by a crowd, all dressed for the feast and excited, children dancing, and the adults bowing, smiling, beaming. Elia had stood, not touching Reth, but cautious, expecting the people to give their focus to him as they usually did. But to her surprise, many reached out to her first—especially the females.

"You look beautiful, Sire!"

"That dress! It must be Candace's work?"

"Will you hold my hand, Majesty?" from a small child Elia realized with a start was Lupine. The little girl stood in front of her, her eyes wide and staring, one hand extended towards her.

Gahrye and the others had warned her—it was very important she not be seen to choose favorites tonight. Not align herself too strongly with one tribe or another. That she be viewed as a person of peace, embracing all the Anima.