We both know it’s finally over.
Eyes a blur of tears, I hit the driveway and stumble toward the Maybach, where Chloe and Galizia are waiting. And as we leave Hightower behind, I feel as though I’ve left a part of my very self along with it.
I suppose I got what I came for.
Closure.
So why does my heart still hurt so damn much?
* * *
Chloe holdsme the whole way home, petting my hair as I cry in her arms. She doesn’t ask what happened. She doesn’t need to. The grief of my broken sobs tells her plainly enough what transpired between me and her brother.
It takes almost an hour to get back to the castle. By the time we arrive, darkness has fallen in full. I’m ready for bed; ready to put the tumultuous events of this day behind me.
We turn onto the front drive, only to find the way blocked. I sit up when the Maybach jolts to a stop, eyes widening as I take in the sight. Hundreds of Germanians fill the street, standing vigil outside the castle gates.
“What the hell?” I whisper.
Galizia puts the car swiftly in reverse, but it’s too late. The crowd has already spotted us. A great cheer goes up, filling the air as they chant my name in unison.
All hail Queen Emilia!
All hail Queen Emilia!
All hail Queen Emilia!
Baffled, I look over at Chloe… only to find her staring down at her phone, scrolling through recent headlines with wide eyes.
“What is it?”
She glances back at me, her lips twisting in a wry smile. “The referendum.”
My stomach flips. “Are the final votes in?”
She nods.
I’m too afraid to ask. I stare at her, waiting for the news to fall like the blade of a guillotine.
“E…” Chloe grabs my hand. “It passed.”
My world drops out from under me. I’m struggling to process what I’m hearing. “It passed? You mean… we actuallywon?””
Chloe is beaming. “We won. We freaking won!”
“We won,” I echo, hardly believing the words.
“From this day onward, Germanian women are eligible to run for Parliament. For Prime Minister.” Chloe pumps her fist in victory. “Suck onthat, House of Lords! Your domain is about to get a long-overdue estrogen infusion!”
Outside, in the distance, the cheers chase us down the driveway as Galizia maneuvers the Maybach to the private back gate.
All hail Queen Emilia!
All hail Queen Emilia!
It is surreal, hearing them chant my title.
“E…” Chloe whispers, squeezing my hand harder. “You did this. Do you hear me?” She looks to the window, where the crowd is growing smaller in the distance. “Do you hear them?”