I ran across the room, jumping into his arms. While I didn’t fear his trips to Mysthaven, the bond in my chest only settled when he was close.
He rested his hands on either side of my neck, tilting my chin with his thumb as he kissed me deeply. “Fates, I missed you.”
“It was two days,” Jax said through a stuffed mouth.
Kade shot him a look. “You left after one because of ‘urgent matters’ back here.”
Jax grinned and shrugged.
Lucien twirled in a circle and collapsed onto the cushioned bed Jax had made for him. He’d found someone in Mysthaven to use their magic on it so Lucien’s tail didn’t rip the fabric. He’d officially become the most spoiled pugron alive.
Well, the only pugron alive that we knew of right now.
Perhaps I’d have to let him run in the Southern Forest to see if there were more in Atheria. After all, he could simply portal us there. We were forever grateful for those particular abilities, allowing us to avoid wasting so much time traveling between the two palaces. Especially for Raya, Jax, and Storm, who still had duties to tend to in Mysthaven.
Kade had already made it clear he would not be residing in Mysthaven at all, hence immediately pronouncing Storm his successor and placing him in charge.
“Everything okay?” I asked my mate, adjusting the pins atop my head delicately to keep Kalliah from yelling at me for ruining her masterpiece.
He nodded. “Everything is signed, the advisors we selected are in place, and all are ready for their duke’s return after the coronation.”
“I still can’t believe you’re making me do this,” Storm said. “I’m not royalty.”
“Technically, you are now,” Kade said, clasping his shoulder. “Think of it as payment for all the shit you put up with.”
“Oh, by giving me moreshitto deal with? Perfect.” He shoved Kade playfully.
“I heard some of the former nobles were going to Mysthaven to show unity among our people,” I said, reaching down on my vanity for Kade’s mother’s necklace.
Kade’s eyes softened as he watched me put it on.
Storm cleared his throat. “Oh?”
“Keena is supposedly among them.”
He stretched his neck as color spread up it. “I wouldn’t know anything about that.”
I hummed, taking one last look in the mirror.
A rapid knock at the door took each of us by surprise this time. “Who else is left?” I asked.
“Your Majesty,” a frantic voice sounded from the other side of the door. “Your Majesty.”
I opened it to a red-faced staff member. He’d been with my father for years and served as his assistant. He longed to retire, or so he said. He’d agreed to stay on until a replacement could be found. However, every person he interviewed had some shortcoming that made them unfit to fill the role. Part of me thought he’d never be able to give up his job. He was always mumbling about how the castle wouldn’t run on time if it wasn’t for him.
“Your Majesty.” He bowed his head. “Everyone is—” He froze, quickly taking in the room filled with so many advisors. It was a sight most were used to seeing from us at this point, our casual demeanor with one another, and the fact that we gathered in my private chambers as if it were a public space. Yet they all still acted shocked each time. I had a feeling the way we ran things would take some getting used to. “Everyone is waiting. We must make our way to the throne room, or we’ll be late.”
“We wouldn’t want that,” I said, placating the kind man.
He pushed his spectacles up his nose from where they’d slipped. “Very good. Very good. Come now.”
With my friends surrounding me, we made our way to the throne room. They entered first, bowing dramatically. Kade and I stood in front of the closed doors, waiting to be announced.
He took my hand, kissing my palm before wrapping it around his arm. The doors opened. “Ready, my queen?”
I nodded, and together, we entered the throne room, glass dome sparkling above us. The roses blooming were brilliantly full, wrapping around the columns scattered throughout the grand chamber. The marble floors glistened, reflecting the starry night beautifully.
A hush fell over the crowd, and as we passed, every person dropped on one knee. A quartet played a song created as the new Atherian anthem, a blend of both kingdoms’ styles.
