“I wasn’t thinking, but it doesn’t matter. On the one hand, I think they’ll be glad the madness won’t spread to you. Maybe they won’t even believe it. On the other hand, without me to get in your way, who else would step up for the throne? The king has no remaining family. His cousins are not here anymore—”
“They were killed by demons. Most of the dragons were.”
“Yes. So there is no one to pass the throne to. It is essentially up for grabs. For someone to take it, they would need to challenge you.”
“I’m not worried about a challenger,” he growled.
“Or they might challenge Finley’s right to become queen…”
“A challenge to her is a challenge to me. They would raise that issue only once.”
She nodded. “The mad king kept his court in luxury and privilege because he wanted them to covet the life they had. He wanted them to protect it and, in so doing, protect him. As long as they were happy, no one would challenge his right to rule. No one would challenge him.”
“And that’s why he filled his court with dragons,” I said with sudden clarity. “Any wolves strong enough to stand up to them would’ve left for the wolf courts. He didn’t care about the ones who stayed behind because they couldn’t pull him from his mantle. He didn’t need to have equal representation because he wanted only his strongest defenders to have power.”
“And those in the villages who could yield the best commodities for trade,” she said, and that was clearly the origin of the disparity we were now fighting.
Nyfain ran his fingers down my neck, making me shiver. “With you to balance my temper, little dragon, we won’t make the same mistakes. We’ll make something great out of this kingdom. Something prosperous.”
“Was never a question in my mind.” I leaned against him before angling my head, nuzzling my face into the warmth of his neck.
“It’s time that I adjourn with my mate,” Nyfain told his mother, pushing away our dishes and glasses before gathering me up into his arms. “I need to think on the things you’ve said. I need to…replay memories of my past. I need some time.”
“Of course.”
I could hear the hope in her voice. The desperation that what she’d said would be enough. That he could forgive her.
I held my breath, waiting for what he would say next.
“But I would be honored if you would stay in the castle and help my mate and me navigate this new kingdom. Help us build something powerful that we can pass on with pride. Help us raise our children, if we should be so blessed. They will need a retreat when their father gets into a temper, or their mother gets into a mood.”
He stood, and I looped my arms around his neck, secure in his strong hold. Normally, I’d be incredibly uncomfortable to be held like this in front of his mother, but I just didn’t have it in me to care. I craved his power and strength wrapped around me. I was delighted he’d given her a fair shake.
“Yes, of course,” she said, tears immediately coming to her eyes and her lips trembling. “Of course. I will have a room prepared for me immediately so that Finley can take her place in the queen’s chambers.”
Nyfain shook his head. “Stay there. Enjoy it. I know it was your sanctuary. Finley will be with me in the king’s chambers. As soon as I am sworn in—” He paused for a moment. “I need to figure out who will take over the role of royal documentation. But as soon as I am king, I will give her equal power. We will share the rule.”
She nodded mutely, her eyes overflowing. Nyfain turned to leave, but she stopped us before we reached the doorway.
“I heard it was you, Finley, who revitalized the garden.”
Nyfain turned slightly so I could see her. “I mostly just organized it. A few of the others did the hard labor.”
“I let her pick a garden to regrow,” Nyfain added. “Any garden. She chose that one.”
“Thank you. It is beautiful.”
Nyfain closed the door softly behind us. When we were only a few steps away, a ragged sob broke free from behind it. Arleth was letting herself give into her emotion.
“It is good of you to start on the road to forgiveness,” I whispered, leaning my head on his shoulder.
“There is nothing to forgive. I just…” He stopped talking as he made his way down the hallway, moving past staff who bowed or curtsied as we passed. A few of them smiled and tilted their heads, reacting to the sight of him carrying me. If nothing else, no one could question how we felt for each other. How ardently we loved. That, in itself, was a change from the past.