Graymon could barely remember his father standing.
Because of this, it was the wheeled chair that had carried him about his business rather than the king’s marble likeness that would remind the family of him. Rarely in over two decades had Queen Emeline, Prince Graymon or Lady Iana allowed a servant to navigate the corridors of the castle with the king. Instead, they insisted on pushing the chair themselves.
“You miss him,” Emeline said.
Graymon nodded.
“Hold him in your mind and your thoughts today, Graymon. Know that this moment was what gave him reason to go on these last decades. It was the reason behind much he did in his life.”
“I know, mother. He was a great king and a better father.”
“It didn’t start off that way, but he tried very hard to make up for his transgressions.”
“He did that. And more.”
She nodded and a man clad in the armor of the Kingsblade standing near the door cleared his throat.
“It is time, your Highness.”
Emeline glanced over her shoulder at the knight and acknowledged him with a shallow nod and a sad smile. Though he’d been appreciated and awarded, the knight’s presence still reminded her of the day he’d helped them take the king from the battle field-the day the Archon stole Therrador’s body.
“Yes, Sir Rindel.” She turned back to Graymon and adjusted his cape. “Let us hope that fool Aurna hasn’t gotten too deep into his bottle already.”
Graymon nodded and Emeline looked into his eyes for a moment before moving to stand in front of Iana.
“And you, my love. So beautiful, so grown up.” She hugged her tight and felt her heart ache for the days she cuddled her against her chest wrapped in a blanket, cooing and laughing. “A coronation and a wedding all on the same day. You are truly blessed, Iana.”
“Yes, I am. To have a mother like you.” She looked at the prince. “And a husband like Graymon.”
Emeline leaned back and looked at her daughter’s face. As Iana had grown and matured, the line of her nose, the placement of her cheekbones, the shine in her eyes had come to remind Emeline so much of the girl’s father. The passing of years had faded the image of Khirro’s face from the queen’s memory, but she would always have his daughter to remind her, and for that, she was thankful.
“I am thankful for so much,” she said and smiled at them both, then took Sir Rindel’s arm and allowed him to lead her from the room.
Graymon sighed deeply as Iana came to stand in front of him.
“Are you all right, my love?”
“Yes,” he said. “This is the greatest day of my life. I just wish father could have been here to see it.”
“I know,” she said. “But he is watching from the fields of the dead with Khirro by his side, just like their statues.”
She smiled the sweet, beautiful smile she saved especially for him, the one she wore when she allowed the spark to flicker at the back of her eyes, reminding him of the secret the two of them had shared for more than twenty years. He smiled back at her when he saw it, unable to stop himself.
“Come, my king,” she said and grabbed him by the hand. “Let us go and get you a kingdom.”
“And a queen,” he added and laughed.
Graymon called for the pages and they let the procession lead them out of his chambers and toward the clamor of the great hall where the high priest, the king’s council, and seemingly the entire kingdom had gathered to meet their new king and queen.