There was no better guard against bad dreams, than laying in his arms and waking there.
So, I let my weight slump, as I snuggled into my mate’s embrace—and I smiled.
The world had almost gone to hell. We still had a lot of fighting to do, but for now, our family was safe. Our people were rising. And our enemies hadlost.
So much was still uncertain, but I was sure of that.They had lost.Furthermore, this nation—our nation—would rebuild under the leadership of my incredible mate.
I was still stunned when I thought of those moments—the way he gave himself to Gall. The self-sacrifice, and his forgiveness for Jann. The compassion. It brought tears to my eyes.
I stroked his broad chest. His body was a weapon, and he was capable of destruction. Instead, he turned that strength to protection. Now, two nations—an entire continent—would discover how incredible he was.
“The Nephilim didn’t deserve you,” I whispered. “You’re amazing.”
“I’ll remind you of that next time I piss you off,” he graveled without opening his eyes.
I snorted. “I saidtheydidn’t deserve you. I earned you five times over,” I teased, smiling when he squeezed me tightly, as he shifted to a more comfortable position in the chair and pulled me harder against him—but still didn’t open his eyes.
“Yes, you did,” he rumbled.
I thought that would be it, and was beginning to let myself drift into sleep when he spoke again.
“They gained a reluctant king, and an indomitable queen. They better be fucking grateful,” he muttered.
I started to laugh. At some point, it became tears.
My reluctant king only held me tighter, and reminded me that we were in this together, and no matter what came, we’d meet it, side by side.
And he was right.
Thank you, God.
53. Patience, King
Eight Months Later
SOUNDTRACK:Climbby ADONA
~ MELEK ~
I sat in the throne roomof the Palace of Theynor. While Yilan had agreed to the addition of several long, colorful tapestries to warm the audience chamber up a bit, I still struggled to feel at home here. Or perhaps it wasn’t the palace, but the unforgiving nature of the throne itself that made me want to squirm like a boy learning numbers. It was true, I often looked for reasons to cut short our audiences. Yilan must have noticed my shifting weight, because her eyes cut to glare at me from the corner of her gaze, and her voice bloomed in my head.
‘Your subjects come to hear their king’s wisdom. You could at least listen.’
I had to cover a cough.‘Ourcitizenscome to plead for the king and queen’s favor. I already told them my judgment of thedispute—this man just wants to ingratiate himself. I’ve never had time for bootlickers.’
Her lips thinned, and I fought a smile. She didn’t want to admit she hated this kind of audience as well. She was trying to be an example to me.
And in truth, she’d done an admirable job.
We’d determined that we wouldn’t attempt toblendthe Nephilim and Shadekin against their wills. Both nations were free to come and go across the continent as they pleased. But they were under the same rule, and would abide by the laws—and freedoms—we’d set forth, or be punished.
The Neph were required to treat all citizens with equal respect and autonomy. Slavery was outlawed, while paid servants were encouraged to take pride in their labor, and be allowed lives outside their working duties.
The Neph would not use their strength to intimidate. And the Shadekin would not hold contempt for thehealthyfreedoms the Neph enjoyed—or use their power tobe creepy,as Jann put it.
Everyone took some time to grow accustomed to each other, but so far there had been no serious breaches. Probably because we’d slaughtered half the Nephilim population—and every golden eye—and most of the Shadekin remained in Theynor.
That was a problem we hoped would be solved by the Royal City we would establish at the center of the continent. With Dragtharn’s population devastated by the Nephilim conquering, and the great plains even more empty than before, it was agreed that we’d bring resources to the land to rebuild—and establish a city at its center. A place where Neph and Shadekin and all other peoples would be trusted to mingle and grow into this new kingdom we envisioned. A union of the Nephilim strength of body, and the Shadekin strength of will.
