Chapter 58 A Queen Among Tides: Chapter Fifty-Eight - Lemuel

Chapter 58 A Queen Among Tides: Chapter Fifty-Eight - Lemuel
The last couple of days have been a whirlwind. An exciting new development in my curse-free state is that now makkares can heal me. Sebastian had a brainwave and decided it was worth a try asking a friendly makkari to heal me since I was technically no longer cursed, and it turns out he was correct. All the pain, aches, exhaustion, and those disgusting blisters, are now a thing of the past, which is a great relief to me as it now means I can enjoy all the blessings that surround me.

Being fully bonded to Sebastian has undoubtedly been the highlight, and even as I think that I can’t help running my fingers over the slightly raised mark around my wrist. Sebastian’s family was overjoyed at the news, even Haemon – which I’m still getting used to. Eisa and Callista wanted to throw a grand party in our honour, and Sebastian lit up at the idea, but given his coronation is just days away I felt there was no point.

Callista has been incredibly sweet and motherly towards me. Teaching me the kingdom’s customs and traditions, helping me to understand the coronation ceremony and not so subtly dropping hints that she hopes I will be having mine soon enough. It has given me a great deal to think about, which is why I find myself sitting out on the balcony in the middle of the night, watching the luminescent crescent moon cast its shimmering glow upon the open sea. The air is surprisingly warm tonight, but the ocean’s breeze sends a delightful chill through my body.

Sebastian and I are still using my room for the time being. His was heavily water-damaged thanks to Circe, but Sebastian just views it as a chance for a much-needed makeover. That’s one way to erase all traces of the bitch from hell, though he claims it’s to make the room a representation of us both instead of just him. I don’t care what he does with the room, as long as it’s functional.

As I watch the light of the moon dance upon the water that surrounds Atlesper, I feel Sebastian stirring awake. His consciousness brings confusion, then panic and then soon he finds relief. Not a moment later I hear him walk up behind me and slide his arms down my chest sending jolts through my body as he holds me and kisses my cheek.

“Can’t sleep?” He asks.

I stroke his arm lightly and plant a soft kiss upon his warm flesh, “A lot on my mind.”

Sebastian moves around me, his hands never leaving my body as he straddles me and wraps his arms around my neck, “Talk to me.”

“You just wanted to straddle me,” I say accusingly, as I massage his hips.

He shrugs, “I can do both.”

I smile and shake my head, “I was thinking about your coronation.”

“What about it?” He asks tentatively.

“Seems silly to have two, don’t you think?” I say as I look into his ocean eyes.

He stares at me, and I can see the gears in his head turning before they click into place and excitement engulfs him.

“Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

“I want to be coronated with you, Sebastian,” I smile, cupping my hand to his stubbly cheek as I brush my thumb against his succulent lips.

“If you’re joking I swear to the Gods…” He says sternly.

I chuckle, “I’m very serious, my love. But there is one thing I’d like to change.”

“Is it the cake? Because if so, I agree. I think we need to add another tier or two. I want to make sure everyone in the kingdom can indulge,” he says, going into party planner mode.

“It’s not the cake.”

“Oh. Then what is it? I’m still upgrading the cake by the way.”

“I don’t want to be your King, I want to be your Queen,” I say bluntly, watching him carefully.

He stares at me frozen, even his emotions seem frozen like he doesn’t know how to process what I just said, which I suppose is fair. When we met, being his King was the last thing I wanted, but now I’ve taken it far out of left field all the way to now saying I wish to be his Queen. I bet he didn’t see that coming.

“Are you going to speak?” I ask in amusement.

“I… um… are you sure?” He asks with uncertainty. I give him a stiff nod in reply. “May I ask why?”

“We’re to be the first same-sex couple to rule the kingdom, correct?”

“Last I checked.”

“So, we get to do things differently. To be King is your title, it’s something you were born and trained for and is in your blood and you’ve worked damn hard for it. In my heart that’s not a title I deserve nor one I could ever truly do justice to. Remember that little girl who asked if I was going to be Queen?”

“Maia,” Sebastian says warmly, and I smile at how easily he remembered her name.

“In her sweet mind, being bonded to the future King made me Queen in her eyes, and I think she had a good idea.”

“Queen has always meant a female sovereign though, and last I checked, you’re not a woman,” he argues.

“Queen also used to be used as a word for prostitutes, but I’m not a prostitute either,” I counter.

“Wait, what?” He shrieks in surprise.

“Queen is also used as either a slur or fun word among gay men, depending on who uses it and how. Language is always evolving, and the meaning behind words is always changing because people constantly change the intent of those words. Look at the word ‘girl’. Centuries ago that word didn’t mean a female child, it simply meant a child or young person in general and had absolutely nothing to do with gender at all. All children were little girls. Words used decades or centuries ago don’t hold the same meaning as they do now.”

“So, you wish to repurpose the word?” He asks curiously.

“No. I just wish to represent a different meaning of the word that is used that has no place in gender at all,” I say confidently.

Sebastian thinks that over for a moment. “I got nothing.”

I smile and peck his lips, “I spent centuries hating that I had all this power living inside me and yet I had access to none of it, and now, in a manner of speaking, I do. I could ask you to make any wish, and then grant it. I finally have the power to do good and not be useless. I can help you help and protect this kingdom and the ways I can help are limitless. So, with all that in mind, I was reflecting on what Merlos said about Zarseti.”

“That she likes to meddle?”

“Specifically about how she moves people around like pieces on a chessboard. Which piece is the strongest in a game of chess?” I smile.

Sebastian’s eyes widen as he starts to follow my train of thought, “The Queen.”

“I want to be your Queen, not because I want to use this word to define gender or some gay slur or urban word, but because Merlos just made me the most powerful piece on your chessboard. I want to be your Queen because I want people to know the power I now hold and the power I now share with you. The Queen always protects the King in chess, and I want to be seen as your right hand and protector,” I say, cupping his face in my hands.

Sebastian gives me his bright smile that I love so much and presses his forehead against mine, “Queen Lemuel Andilet does have a nice ring to it.”

I grin, “Think we can pull off the sudden change of plans?”

“Not a doubt in my mind. Dimitra might have a conniption, as will my mother, but I’ve seen Dimitra work miracles under worse conditions. I will do whatever it takes to see you coronated at my side,” says Sebastian happily, and I can feel just how happy he is. I can feel him resisting the urge to get up and jump around, which is good because I want him right here on my lap.