JOY, TRIUMPH AND A SENSE of loss ran through him as he stared at the organized troops. An abrupt coronation in a small bay as far South as possible in Elion was not what he'd envisioned. Alek had expected a proper, full state coronation at the castle as his father and grandfather before him. Yakov had spoken of it often. The weight of the crown felt heavier than it should when the ghost of the advisor seemed to stand there amongst his friends.

Loushka sat tall and proud beside ...