“This crown represents the continued friendship between the Kingdom of Drak and the House of Yser. May its presentation further our entwined destinies,” Rafe's voice boomed, almost loud enough to make me want to cover my ears.

It seemed as though he had trouble adjusting to the differences of the human world. All of his motions and emotions were double any normal human's, it made him stick out like a sore thumb.

“I now present to you the standing Queen for the Human Kingdom of Drak by way of the House Yser, Toria Yser.”

The crown was on my head, it was done. The large rubies and onyx that made up the intricate piece felt unnecessarily heavy and unwieldy. As beautiful as the piece was, I was certainly glad that it was largely ceremonial and that unlike monarchs of the past, unworn most of the time.

Those in attendance rose to their feet in polite gesture before dropping to one knee in a show of fealty. A river of power seemed to open up within me as those with magical skills also entwined their currents of power with mine. It was a drunkenly feeling, not unlike how I had first felt when I opened the portal to the kingdom.

“Now, in a gesture of welcoming to the head of the Human Kingdom of Drak, I would like to offer any of my children for a place among your court,” Rafe continued, the only one not on bent knee. “If you are anything like your grandmother, I'm sure a marriage is out of the question, but a consort may prove to suit you.”

A smug look came over Laric's face from his position in the front row of the great hall. He was certain that I would choose him for a consort, he had been trying very hard to win my advances and cement his position. As the second son he was not in line for the throne and a position as a queen's consort would be a very comfortable, potentially powerful position.

I could not deny that the thought had passed my mind several times. Laric was devilishly handsome with a sharp wit and imposing presence. It was certain that even the most pious, virginal girl would throw themselves upon him. However, his own ambitions could be a dangerous impediment to mine. Besides, I didn't like that he seemed to like the title more than he would ever come to like me.

“That is a very kind and generous gesture, one that I would like to take.”

I turned in my throne towards the line of eligible House Drak members. Laric's eyes meet my own and their intensity deepened. I could see the confusion and panic in his eyes as my own continued down the row of options.

“I would like to offer a position of Queen's Consort to the Lady Mistra, if she is willing.”

The gathered audience gasped, along with Mistra, her face quickly reddening as she looked around like she must have misheard.

“My daughter?” Rafe asked in a laughing tone.

“Yes, your daughter,” I asserted, “she and I will make an unstoppable team.”

The gasps and whispers were cut short by Rafe's thunderous laugh. He stepped towards me to clap me on the shoulder, his face looking like it was curled up into a smile to a painful degree.

“I am so very sorry for many more reasons now that Evonia is not here for this,” he boomed, “let it be so as long as Mistra consents.”

Mistra, still looking very red from the front row nodded in shock before rising to her feet and taking a seat on the lesser throne next to me. In an act of what felt like defiance and assertion of power, I took her hand and held it within my own as the crowd clapped despite their confusion.

I was certain that my choice was almost certainly unheard of and would be the talk of everyone for quite a while, but it was the only choice that I felt made sense. Not only politically, but personally. I simply could not see myself with any of his conniving sons who would always feel and act superior to me. The Lady Mistra had always been kind and courteous to me as well as we were on a more even power level. Plus, it did not hurt that I found her breathtakingly beautiful.

During the coronation feast, I could feel her questioning gaze upon me whenever I was not looking her direction. I could tell that she wondered if she was a serious choice or just a part of an elaborate scheme I had worked up. I did not blame her suspicions, in fact, I would second-guess my choice in consort if she was not pragmatic enough to question it. In time, I hoped that she would come to understand that my choice was genuine and be content in her position.

Finally after many well-wishes, rich food, and likely too much drink, we were free to do as we wished. Many of the servants and other coronation attendees had simply opted to slump over in their chairs than to return home or to their waiting rooms. I could not blame them, my eyes were already feeling heavy from the demands of the day.

“So...” Mistra whispered into my ear, “can we retire and talk for a moment?”

I nodded and bid my goodbyes to those around us that were still mostly conscious. Luckily that did not include Rafe or Laric who would certainly make a big deal about us leaving together.

We made our way to what used to be Evonia's room. Thankfully I had thought to have the room quickly repainted and decorated to suit my tastes. I couldn't imagine what it would have felt like to walk into the room as she had left it. Also, I had demanded that the mattress be changed for as much as I loved my grandmother, I could not imagine sleeping where she had taken her last breath.

“What is my part in this plan of yours?” Mistra demanded as soon as the door closed behind us, cutting right to the chase.

“To be by my side when I inevitably conquer my father's kingdom,” I answered truthfully.

Her eyebrow raised in a questioning expression.

“Truly,” I laughed, “do you find it difficult to believe?”

“Is that even really a question?” She looked at me as if I may, in fact, be stupid. “You just declared a woman to be a queen's consort and you're telling me that there is no ulterior motive?”

“Are you saying that women don't often appreciate the feminine form and demeanor?” I countered. I knew for a fact that she did by the way she would sneak glances at me and chew the inside of her bottom lip when I was around.

“N-no,” she stammered, trying to backtrack, “I'm not saying that at all, I'm just saying that what you've done is breaking every tradition ever established.”

“Is that such a bad thing? Why must traditions be continued?” I pressed. “Are you not content with the arrangement?”

“Again, this isn't about how I feel about it.” Her face was getting redder by the moment, I had to try very hard not to crack a smile. “This is about how you must have some strategic plan set up to have done something like this. That is the only way it makes sense.”

“Is it?” I questioned with my own raise of an eyebrow. “You seem to be pretty set that there's no way I could be attracted to you.”

“I-” She cut off and cleared her throat nervously. “That would still be a very bold move for a brand new ruler, perhaps even suicidal.”

I shrugged and gave a mischievous grin. “Perhaps I just care about getting what I want and don't really care to entertain what other people will think about me for it.”

Her brow furrowed. “So you didn't do this for some political reason?”

“None other than it was otherwise advantageous to have someone from your bloodline.”

“But Laric-”

“- is pompous, thinks he's better than me, and I frankly don't find him half as attractive as he seems to think he is.”

Her mouth snapped shut and her eyes widened. She was finally beginning to see that I had gone against thousands of years of tradition just because I actually wanted to.

Sure, same gender attraction had always existed. Since people were people it was something that usually was kept quiet and hidden. Perhaps it was an aunt or uncle who seemed to steer clear of marriage for one excuse or another or something you saw in the twinkle of the stare between two “good friends.” Regardless of how much it was repress or denied, it still existed and for reasons beyond my comprehension, it was still a taboo thing to discuss or be open about. I was not good at keeping taboo things a secret.

“This is really because you want me as your consort?”

“Is that so hard to believe? Have you seen yourself in a mirror lately? You are quite stunning.”

Her face flashed a hot red and she averted her eyes to the wall behind me. She really was adorable when flustered.

“I think you'll adjust to this idea fairly quickly.” I laughed lightly and pulled her into an embrace. “We will be like any other royal couple, except twice as beautiful.”

Initially she tensed, then relaxed against me. I had to admit, it felt both wonderful and invigorating to be even this intimate with another woman. Knowing that others would want to look away or pretend that it didn't happen only fueled my desire to be a part of it.

Not one to mince words or waste opportunities, I gently pulled back from our embrace and pressed my lips to hers. Her first reaction was to gasp softly, then melt into the kiss, giving up any pretense or resistance to the situation she may have had. I had been correct that she had wanted the arrangement just as much, if not more, than I had.