Rowena's heart was pounding so hard she felt it in her throat. Her thoughts were a jumble. This is too fast. Why is she declared Queen out of the blue? None of this had been discussed. None of this had been explained to her beforehand. She felt the weight of every eye in the room pressing down on her. But beneath the panic, another feeling stirred, deep and hot.
"Kneel," he said quietly.
Rowena's body moved before her mind could protest. The heavy skirts of her gown pooled around her as she knelt on the cold stone floor. She kept her head up, her back straight.
The hall remained silent.
Zareth stepped closer to her, his movements deliberate. He placed the crown on her head, adjusting it until it sat properly.
"This crown marks your authority. You will wear it as Queen of Drakwyne." He said.
The weight of the crown on her head was immediate. She had to tense her neck to keep it steady.
