The Hybrid Queen Mother

Chapter 11

Marcy’s POV

It was finally here and I was terrified. Farrah and Stella gathered as many people as they could to open large portals to bring everyone to the Forbidden Woods for my coronation. Due to the specifics, we had to release the magic around the woods that affected the time.

It took a lot of getting used to for everyone, but we needed to be precise. I couldn’t have my coronation on another day or at another time. I didn’t understand why, but that’s what Victoria said.

Since we finished visiting everyone early, Jordan and I came back with two weeks left to help finalize the preparations. Everything was coming together perfectly, thanks to the help of magic. I jumped around the palace checking to see if anyone needed help with anything. Fortunately, they had it all under control.

It was almost time to start the ceremony, so I went back to my room to get ready. Looking out my window, I saw packs, clans and covens showing up. My nerves started to get the best of me. All these people will look to me for guidance. Most of them were older than I by hundreds of years. Could they really trust me?

They wouldn’t be here if they couldn’t. Gaia was right. I needed to have confidence in myself.

A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts, and I quickly opened it. My mom, Farrah, Josie and Stella were all standing on the other side of the door. Getting out of the way, so they could enter, I felt a slight relief.

“We need to get you ready,” my mom said, and I nodded.

Farrah, Stella and Josie got to work taking out my box braids while my mom drew me a bath. I had already showered, but she insisted I needed a bath to calm my nerves. The girls worked quickly, and my braids were out fast. My mom rushed me into the bathroom where the large tub was filled with bubbles and calming aromas.

I got in, and the hot water instantly relaxed my body. Farrah conjured up a smaller sink, so my mom could wash my hair as I soaked. It felt so good, having her scrub my scalp as she washed my hair. It’s been so long since she’s last done this, and I missed it.

Once I was done with my bath, there was only an hour left before the ceremony started. The girls were in rush mode. My mom and Josie looked up different styles while Farrah and Stella used magic to complete them.

I had tried about ten different hair and makeup styles, and we couldn’t decide on a single one of them. It then occurred to me that I had no idea what I was going to be wearing.

“If I knew what I was going to be wearing, picking a style to fit would be so much easier!” I sighed in frustration.

“We don’t have a dress,” Farrah said.

“What do you mean!? What am I supposed to wear?” I shouted.

“Victoria told us not to worry about the dress, that it was handled,” my mom added.

“And it is handled,” Victoria said as she appeared behind us. “You’re welcome,” she smiled.

I looked into the mirror next to me and saw a beautiful ball gown dress. The top was strapless and form fitting, with an open back, and it didn’t feel restrictive at all. It almost felt like it was a part of me. There was a cape-like train that connected at my shoulders and flowed all the way down to the ground.

The dress flared out at my waist, like Cinderella's dress. It was black as night, reminding me of my mate’s coat. The underside of the dress was a deep red that looked like blood. And I had long black gloves to match.

“We’re not done with it yet,” came Gaia’s voice.

She appeared next to Victoria and blew a kiss towards me. I felt a coolness on my cheek and when I looked back into the mirror, I saw a vine pattern forming all over the dress. There was a slight glow that emanated from the vines, making them more visible.

“I also want to add a touch to the dress,” Selene said.

“How are you here?” I asked her, knowing she shouldn’t be here.

“Wherever Gaia goes, I go,” she said simply.

“And as the Moon Goddess, I have to be here. To give my blessing,” Celeste said as she materialized next to her mother. The resemblance was striking. Celeste was the spitting image of Selene.

They both hugged me and when they pulled away, I saw my dress change again. There were stars scattered around the dress, making it sparkle with real light. This dress was unlike anything I'd ever seen before. Crafted by four of the greatest Goddesses to exist.

As I looked at myself in the mirror, Farrah used her magic to style my hair while Stella used magic to complete my makeup look. When they were finished, I couldn’t take my eyes off myself. I looked like a completely different person. Like royalty. If only James could see me.

“You look beautiful. We’ll see you at the ceremony,” Victoria said.

“And there are two more surprises for you,” Celeste winked, and all the Goddesses left the room.

“Right. It’s about time to get started. We’ll see you there,” Stella said as she teleported away with Farrah and Josie.

I was left in the room with just my mom, who had tears in her eyes. She pulled me into a hug and I clung to her desperately.

“I’m so proud of you, Sweetie,” she said.

“I don’t think I’ve thanked you and Dad enough. I wouldn’t be here without you,” I said as I tried to fight the tears from falling.

There was a knock on the door and my mom opened it. Jordan and my dad came in, each holding a box.

“Sweetheart, you looked gorgeous,” my dad said as he hugged me.

“Thanks daddy, you look pretty good yourself,” I joked with him.

“I brought you something,” he said, handing me the box.

I opened it to see a shiny diamond track bracelet with matching diamond studs. I had almost forgotten to put jewelry on for the ceremony.

“They’re beautiful,” I say as my dad fastens the bracelet on. When he was done, I quickly put the earrings on. I had double piercings, and I put the studs on the top because I wanted to wear hoops on the bottom.

“I also got you something,” Jordan says as he steps up.

He held two boxes and the first one he opened revealed the pin he had given me on my birthday. I don’t remember the last time I wore this or how he ended up with it, but I was glad to have it back. I put the pin in my hair, a place where everyone could see it.

Once the pin was in, he opened the second box. Inside was a large diamond necklace with matching drop earrings. When I went shopping for James’s birthday and dragged Jordan and Stella along, I saw this set at the Tiffany's store. I was stuck on it, wanting to buy it but not wanting to spend the money on it because of how expensive it was. It cost more than the Rolex I got for James that day.

“James showed me where he hid it. He wanted you to wear it when you were crowned Queen.”

I couldn’t stop the tears that escaped. I threw my arms around Jordan, grateful that he brought this to me. I knew he was the one who told James about the set, he saw how intrigued I was by it.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

“Now shall we go?” My dad asked.

“Of course,” I smiled.

***

The blood moon was at its peak as I stood under it. I swore my oath to be a just Queen and to protect the supernaturals until my dying breath, though I know I cannot die. The pure silver dagger I held in one hand was a testament of my strength as a wolf.

In my other hand, I held a gold chalice with concentrated holy water in it. Proof of my strength as a vampire. Only a few things can really kill a vampire. Holy water was the strongest poison and a small amount could cause great harm.

After my oath, I used the silver dagger to cut my hand and then poured the holy water on the cut. The smell of burning flesh and the sizzling sound that came with it filled the air. As much pain I was in, I did my best to hide it.

When the wound healed and the burning pain slowed, I turned and bowed to the Goddesses. I swore to bring about peace as I served as Queen. With their permission, I stood and faced the crowd.

The people in front of me all bowed as the Goddesses placed a heavy gold crown on my head. The crown had each of their symbols etched into it and I could feel powerful magic radiating from it.

“We present to you, Marcy Jo Thomas, Queen of the supernaturals on Earth.” The Goddesses said in unison.

Their ethereal voices held so much power and I could physically feel a change in my body as they presented me. Everyone else must have felt it as well, since they all either gasped or muttered to each other. The Goddesses urged me to step forward and I did.

The crow watched me, waiting to see what would happen next. The warm red light shining from the blood moon started to grow brighter. I could feel it radiating around me. Instinct told me to lift my head to the moon and I did.

As soon as I lifted my head, the red moonlight narrowed and concentrated on the centerpiece of my crown. I felt an overwhelming surge of energy, making me want to go on a run. I also heard howls coming from the moon.

“Those who fought with you and didn’t make it back. They are proud, and they didn’t want to miss this day,” Celeste explained, and I felt tears burning in my eyes. “Surprise!” she whispered in my mind.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

“We are very proud of you,” I heard Onyx’s voice and that broke the floodgates. I didn’t want to ugly cry in front of so many people, so I did my best to hide the tears, though it felt like an impossible task.

When the light dimmed and the moonlight returned to normal, I felt a wave of relief. I am the Queen now. The crowd cheered. Howls and whistles could be heard all around. I held my head high as I walked off the podium and through the crowd. Now it was time to celebrate.