Ian frowned. “I’m not sure if any number would be enough. We don’t know how many dark ones remain. While we may have put a dent in his army with the aftermath destruction of Firestone and eliminated his ability to infect others as planned, I don’t dare underestimate what he will do.”
“Thames has waited a thousand years for this,” Kade mused. “He won’t give up easily. He can control the darkness inside of the dark ones—they are utterly his.” He reached for my hand. “I think I am only spared because of my connection to Lana.” He leaned down, kissing my knuckles, then brushing his thumb across them, as if he were sealing in the gesture.
“We need to be done with this guy. He’s cramping my style,” Jax grumbled as he reached for some bread and cheese laid out on a table behind him. “I really miss Opal’s mead and my own obnoxiously big bed.”
I shot him a dirty look, my eyes narrowed.
“Uh, not that your beds aren’t great, Your Most Royalness,” Jax explained. “It’s just that, there’s nothing like your own bed, am I right?” His gaze darted toward Kalliah and Leif, a crease appearing faintly between his brows before resting his arms across his chest and examining the map once more.
Raya sighed. “You are insufferable, Jax.” She scooted closer to Ian, who slung his arm around her shoulders. “But really, Opal’s mead is some of the best. Maybe I could take you there one night for, you know, uh…” Raya blushed as she squirmed in her seat. Her eyes darted around the room, realizing we were all watching. “Just to get to know each other more.”
Ian chuckled, “Raya, are you asking me out on a date?”
“I mean, I’m notnotasking you out…”
Ian pulled her in and kissed the top of her head. “I’d love to.”
I rubbed my neck, stretching it from side to side. My chest tightened. The waiting in this final stage before we fought Thames might kill me. But at the same time, I loved watchingwhat we’d built here. What two kingdoms joining together meant. How incredible it could be if we were able to pull this off.
Three knocks on the door echoed in the room, and we all turned to see who wished to enter. “Come in,” I called.
A teenage boy, maybe around sixteen years old, stumbled into the room, shoved from behind by a noble wearing flamboyant orange robes. I frowned, addressing the noble while the boy caught his breath. “How can I help you?”
The noble sneered. “Thischildhas important information and took his damn time around the palace. He claims he couldn’t find you. Clearly he doesn't understand how important it is to get deliveries to his queen in a timely manner.” The noble shoved the boy’s arm again and mumbled, “Lesser Fae,” under his breath like a curse.
I cleared my throat. “You’ll refrain from touching him again, or I’ll toss you out of the palace altogether. Did you not hear me when I spoke about equality among our people?”
The noble’s jaw dropped. “His failures reflect poorly on Ellevail, Your Majesty.”
I raised an eyebrow, allowing my disapproval to hang in the air until the noble shifted uncomfortably. “Well if that’s all, this young man has the message, not you. Your services are no longer needed.”
He opened his mouth to protest, but Kade’s shadows shoved him out and slammed the door.
Jax snorted. “How long until you think they learn their pedestal is gone?”
Leif snickered, nodding. “Nice one.” The two of them fist-bumped, and I didn’t miss Kalliah rolling her eyes, despite the twitch of her lips into a faint smile.
I waved the boy closer to me. “You were looking for me?” I asked, giving him an encouraging smile.
“Yes, Your Majesty. This letter arrived from a carrier about twenty minutes ago. Normally Mr. Corbin would take care of it, but…” He paused, collecting himself before taking a deep breath, and handing me the letter. “But since I am now the most senior stable boy, I decided to bring it to you myself. I would have gotten it to you sooner, but, well, I got lost. I am so sorry, my queen. It won’t happen again.” His bottom lip quivered, and he hung his head low.
I couldn’t help but smile, even as my heart ached, the pain still fresh from losing Corbin. “What’s your name?”
“Justin, Your Majesty. Justin Greenleaf.”
“Well, Mr. Greenleaf, thank you for your due diligence in getting me this letter as quickly as you were able. Corbin would be so proud of you for your commitment to your job.”
I pushed through the ache at using Corbin’s name, holding my smile as my eyes misted.
Justin’s lips curved upward in a shy smile, and I could physically see the relief flow through his body, his shoulders relaxing as he realized he wasn’t getting in trouble. “Thank you, Your Majesty. I will learn the palace layout better immediately. It won’t happen again.”
“You do have big shoes to fill.” I swallowed the lump rising in my throat. “Corbin was the best when it came to caring for the animals in this kingdom. He was compassionate and courageous, and a dear friend. I know if you studied under him, you will exceed every expectation anyone could have for a protege of his.”
Kade looked over at me, pride evident on his face. He nodded, mouthing to me, “Well done.”
Justin bowed low again. “I promise to do my very best, Your Majesty. I won’t let you down.” He left the war room with his head held high.
“That was kind of you, Lan,” Ian said. “He’ll remember you took time to listen to him instead of taking the noble’s word as law.”
