Chapter 213

Violet’s POV

I stared down at Theo from my seat in the audience. He looked so handsome in one of Master Remy’s suits, the still-shattered band glowing slightly along his forehead.

Even though I was his wife, I was attending the vote for our country’s next successor as the Alpha of Darkmoon – at least to start. So I was in a row in the middle, a little to Theo’s right, in the seat reserved for my territory.

The last time a vote of this magnitude had taken place in this room, it was my father who was Alpha. He sat in this very seat when he voted against the Unlawful Magic Charter that would one day separate him from his wife forever.

I settled into the seat my father had once sat in, grounding me in my past. I reveled in the weight of Theo’s token sitting against my collarbone, ready for my future.

My mate’s voice rang out through the hall. “According to the current succession law, the following werewolves are candidates as the next successor to the crown: Marissa Nightshade, Theodore Nightshade, and Violet Donovan. The two other candidates will now please join me on the platform.”

Theo motioned to two seats, one on each side of him. Owen’s widow and I stood, making our way to the stage.

It reminded me of my wedding day as I walked down the aisle, all eyes turning to watch me. Marissa was already in the front row, so she was seated to Theo’s left long before I reached the platform. Thankfully, he kept speaking while I approached, drawing attention away from me.

“Per the regulations of a formal debate or vote, the royal scribe is present to uphold all relevant laws and regulations, and the entire session is being recorded for our historical records.”

Once I was settled on Theo’s right, he continued. He didn’t dare offer me a smile or a wink like he usually would. We needed to make sure our relationship couldn’t be used against us today.

“Per the succession law, the crown falls automatically to the next of-age, biological relation to the previous monarch. In this case, that would be me.”

Theo paused as he looked around the room.

“However, as I did when I first came of age, I renounce the crown.”

Murmurs rippled through the room at this announcement. Not only had Theo just proved that he wasn’t going after his brother for the crown like he’d been claiming for years, but he had also just admitted for the first time in public to being the older brother who was technically in line for the crown before Owen.

“In this instance,” Theo raised his voice to be heard over the chatter, and the crowd fell silent, “the remaining candidates are related to the previous monarch by law only. Per the succession law, one of them will be selected as our next queen by a majority vote of this gathering. They will each receive two minutes now to state their intent as potential future monarchs.”

Theo nodded to Marissa. “We will begin with the previous king’s widow.”

Marissa stood and traded places with her brother-in-law. Theo sat to her left as she stepped up to the microphone. I wondered in that moment if I’d ever heard her speak.

“Fellow werewolves,” she began, and I was sure that I’d never heard her speak before this moment. Her voice was deeper than I expected, carrying easily to the back of the hall.

“I stand before you, a shell of a woman grieving the tragic and avoidable loss of her husband.” I was quick to school my expression. Marissa’s words were damning, even if she sounded tired and bored.

“Vote for me to remain queen, and we will continue the legacy of my husband that was cut short too soon, together. Thank you.”

I kept my face blank even as shock rattled me inside. I honestly expected her to bow out like Theo did, especially after she requested that Theo lead the vote. She had not ever expressed any interest in politics or leading anyone in anything.

I didn’t have time to dwell on it though as she turned to me, waiting for me to stand so that she could take my seat. I rose as Owen’s supporters applauded her words fervently, the rest of the audience clapping politely as she took my seat.

I stepped up to the microphone.

“I wish,” I jumped right in, “for a country served by a benevolent and fair ruler, one who is not above the law, who changes laws in the interest of their people, not for personal gain. I wish for a leader who will prioritize our country’s future over easy decisions, who will take accountability for their actions and hold others accountable as well. I wish for a leader motivated by peace, goodness, and prosperity instead of power, wealth, and control.”

I took a deep breath as Theo sent me love and strength through our magical connection.

“Many nobles and civilians alike in our country fit this description, including the only blood relation to the crown – despite the fact that he has no interest in it. I admit that I do not know enough about our queen’s credentials to form an opinion on her one way or another.”

I looked out into the crowd, making eye contact with several Alphas along the way.

“You’ve seen what I’ve done for Darkmoon. It would be my honor to protect and nurture our country for future generations. I invite any questions or concerns you might have so that I may address them before the vote takes place.”

I switched places with Theo, and he handed me a second microphone as we passed each other. He handed a third to Marissa, then addressed the audience. “We will now hear from the Alphas who may have statements or questions for or against either candidate.”

Before he even finished his sentence, an Alpha stood toward the front. He was on my list of Owen’s supporters. Theo nodded to him as a steward hurried to hand the Alpha a microphone.

“How could any of us possibly,” Alpha Montague spoke into the microphone, “vote for the person responsible for our king’s death?” He laid an accusatory glare my way.

“Oh, please!” Alpha Silverstein, who had been on the fence about King Owen until about a week ago, bellowed from a few rows back, successfully projecting his voice without a mic. “You may have refused to attend the wedding in Mel Rimanea out of some idiotic, blind loyalty to King Owen, but those of us who were there saw with our own eyes that King Owen died by the will of the Goddess, as guided by the High Priestess, as a result of his own lies about his own criminal actions. Ask anyone who was there – including your friends who are as blindly loyal as you are.”

“And what about the theory that the High Priestess is working against the crown?” Alpha Montague retorted into his mic, twisting in his seat to get a better look at Alpha Silverstein.

A laugh drew everyone’s gaze to the right as Alpha Connelly stood. “You mean other than the fact that the High Priest and High Priestess are bound by the Goddess herself to uphold truth?” Alpha Connelly, I knew, had hated Owen for a very long time, though she had always been diplomatic and discreet in her opinion.

“Again,” she added, “if you had been there, you too would have witnessed as Owen’s own spy confirmed the High Priestess’ objectivity and credibility.”

“Thank you, everyone,” Theo redirected them. “May I remind you that one Alpha at a time may present a statement or direct a question to a candidate, and they alone will have an opportunity to respond. Now, what other questions or comments do you have?”