Chapter 12: Commencement

No longer anxious, Bae was barely aware of the Ren that were following after her. She could sense the richness of Kael's magic and the authoritative call of Armel's power, although both were nothing compared to the magic before her now. The magic of the Kitsune was calling for her to claim it, own it, perhaps even be consumed by it.

Reaching the centre of the temple, the fox abruptly stopped, turning to face Bae.

"There is no life. There is no death. There is only the Kitsune. You come from magic and will return to magic so that the line of the Kumari may continue."

The fox growled as the others entered the room. There were gasps of surprise as they saw the Kitsune for the first time.

"It is time for you to claim what is yours." Bae thought for a second that the Kitsune's expression grew softer. "Although the crown may prove more curse than blessing."

There were murmurs from the crowd of Ren behind her at the Kitsune's words, but the fox quickly silenced them with a hiss.

"Here stands the Kumari that will put the realm before herself, even so much as to die for it."

The ren gasped as one and Bae could feel fear radiating from them.

"It's time, Bae." The fox took a step towards her. "You must say the words."

Her voice was hoarse, throat like sandpaper as she said the words she had been destined to say since before her birth. The words were as much a part of her as her magic was. She'd known them longer than she'd been able to speak. "I, Bae of the Kumari bloodline, hereby pledge to give my life, my magic, the very blood in my veins to the realm. I pledge to love my people, to love the magic that runs through them... I pledge to fight for that magic, to protect that magic, to honour that magic, at all costs."

Tears were streaming down her face, as the truth of her words hit her. The idea of being Queen had never tempted her but there in that moment she wanted nothing more than to lead the Ren. Bae's heart filled with love, her entire body prickly with magic, she felt the magic of the Kitsune as it merged with her own, its intensity overwhelming the new Queen.

Then her father was stepping forward, just as the crown appeared on a stone plinth in the centre of the room. The fox circled around it. To Bae the fox was no longer a separate entity to herself. They were one and the same. Her magic was its and the Kitsune's magic was hers. She could no longer tell where she ended and the fox began.

She watched as her father took the crown from the plinth before stepping towards her. His smile was as devastated as it was delighted. He placed the crown upon her head and then bowed the knee before her, the first to do so. The other Ren quickly followed, bowing before their Queen.

Armel was the last, his eyes focused on Bae, transfixed by her beauty as her hair flew about as if caught in the wind, her eyes magical swirling spheres of green. It was in that moment as he bowed before her that he knew he would do anything to have her... he would do anything to be claimed her mate.

While they were still bowed, the Kitsune spoke once more. This time the words were for Bae alone. "The power of the Kitsune is now yours. It dwells within you." Then surprising Bae beyond belief, the Kitsune too bowed before her.

Bae turned to face her people as the fox, no longer visible to the others, circled her feet like a pet cat, purring as it did.

"Please rise," she said with more authority than she'd ever possessed before and the people in front of her did as she asked.

Her eyes landed on Armel. The last to bow, he was also the last to rise. He did not rush to his feet, instead he moved slowly, allowing his eyes to linger on Bae once again.

If she'd have him, he'd do everything he could to protect her. He noticed the fox twirling around her legs and was sure that he saw it wink at him before it abruptly vanished.

The others approached the Kumari to offer her their congratulations but Armel could not bring himself to approach the new Queen. Instead he watched her from a distance, enjoying the way her silvery dress clung to her. The magic swirling around Bae made her look menacing, almost feral and he wanted her more than he'd wanted any other woman. She was something else entirely. He thought back to their conversation on the ship. He would fight any Ren to the death, even a brother, if she was to be his prize.

Eventually, the crowd around her dispersed as the delegates and guards prepared for the return journey to the castle. The Kumari was not safe to stay here, not for a second longer than necessary. He waited until the last of the Ren left the temple, surprised that the guards had left her alone even within the safety of the shrine, especially with him. They couldn't trust him. They shouldn't trust him. Trust was a liberty the Kumari could not afford.

"You shouldn't be alone with me, Kumari." The warning in his tone had her shivering with pleasure rather than fear.

She giggled, the sound a balm to his battered, battle torn soul.

"You'll never hurt me."

"How can you be so sure?" He raised a mocking eyebrow.

Shrugging her shoulder, she smirked at him.

"You foolish woman," he said in exasperation.

"The Kitsune tells me you won't hurt me."

Armel knew that she was right. He could never and would never hurt her, but she shouldn't trust that as fact. It wasn't safe to do so.

"Perhaps so, but please Bae," he used her name for emphasis, enjoying the way it sounded on his tongue, "don't trust me. Not yet."

"Why?" She grinned as if toying with him.

"I haven't earnt it yet."

"Will you earn it?"

"Yes. I promise." He approached the Kumari, resting his hand on her cheek, cupping her chin slightly before leaning forward. Bae felt excitement bubble within her at the thought that he was going to kiss her. Then the doors to the temple were opening and five guards entered the room, causing the prince to step back, removing his hand.

"I'll hold you to that, Prince Armel."

"Please do, Kumari."

Then without another word, Bae was escorted out of the temple.