Contents
15 Meryn
Overview
On coronation day, Meryn steadies Saela and brings her to the ceremony under strict precautions. Meryn refuses the traditional disrobing, accepts anointment, and notices the Mother Priestess wearing a signet with a Tear-like opal matching the crown and Saela’s necklace. Crowned Queen Meryn Sturmfrost, she faces an abrupt intrusion as the throne-room doors burst open.
Summary
On the morning of her coronation, Meryn comforts Saela, who fears losing control amid the crowds. Meryn reassures her of precautions: recent feeding, Anassa’s presence, and swift escort if needed. She emphasizes Saela’s necessary public role as princess to avoid suspicion and to nurture the people’s hopeful view of her.
Meryn’s friends—Izabel, Venna, and Nevah—arrive to dress her. They help her into a deep-blue, gold-embellished gown with a white, wolf-embroidered cape. Strengthened by the image of Queen Chiara, Meryn proceeds to the throne room, taking in the traditional scarlet floral displays. She reinforces her mental shield against Killian and notes allies and officials present, including Stark and the Sovereign Alpha.
At the dais, the Mother Priestess presides, openly disapproving of Meryn’s choices. Following the script, Meryn kneels instead of disrobing, drawing murmurs. During the anointing with sacred oil, Meryn notices a teardrop opal in the priestess’s signet ring—another likely Goddess Tear—while the priestess eyes the crown’s matching opal covetously.
After vows to rule, speak, create, destroy, and protect, the Mother Priestess sets the crown on Meryn’s head and proclaims her Queen Meryn Sturmfrost of Nocturna. As the declaration echoes, the throne-room doors slam open, interrupting the triumph and signaling an imminent crisis.
Who Appears
- Meryn SturmfrostProtagonist; steadies Saela, asserts control over the ceremony, undergoes anointing, notices a Tear on the priestess’s ring, and is crowned queen.
- SaelaMeryn’s sister and Siphon; anxious about harming others, attends under strict precautions, becomes a cherished public symbol.
- Mother PriestessConducts the coronation; disapproves of Meryn’s choices; wears a signet with a Tear-like opal and covets the crown’s gem.
- AnassaMeryn’s direwolf; comforts Saela, hunts for her, and signals warning with a growl during the crowning.
- StarkAllied Daemos; attends in prominent seating, shares a charged glance with Meryn, symbolizing support and bond.
- IzabelFriend; helps dress Meryn and bolsters morale before the ceremony.
- VennaFriend; assists with the gown, teaches Saela sign language, offering stability.
- NevahFriend; helps with Meryn’s coronation attire and shares the excitement of the day.
- IgorCouncil voice; attends with his wife, signaling commoner support and scrutiny of Saela’s presence.
- HanneloreKryptos Alpha; present among high-ranking Bonded, representing political scrutiny.
- EgithHigh-ranking Bonded; attends, reflecting the nobles’ wary attention.
- Sovereign AlphaSits near Stark, marking the ceremony’s political gravity.