“And I will control the sea flow to make sure no village is lacking water. Water is something everyone has a right to,” Sira says, and I nod.
Everyone stands as one, placing their hands over their hearts.
“To the King and Queen of Varindor, we pledge our allegiance.”
“The official coronation is tonight, My King. Will you also marry tonight?”
I look over at Siralaine. This one is her decision. She blushes before she nods. “I’d like that.”
“Then so be it,” I say with a small smirk, rising from my seat. They all follow suit. I take Siralaine’s hand and guide her from the room, feeling confident about the future.
It’s a few hours later, and I’m talking to Jorah through a magical communication spell. He’s seated in the treessomewhere, the warm sun hitting his skin.
I have just finished filling him in on everything. “And so, I’m sorry, but the Dukedom of House Kaldor is now on your shoulders. I will be calling Varkhazan after this and letting him know that Varindor is mine and any breach attempt will be considered an act of war.”
“Well, I have to give it to you, brother, you really did take me by surprise. So where is my sister-in-law?”
I smirk as I motion for Siralaine to step forward. “Sira, meet my brother, Jorah. Jorah, Siralaine,” I say, sliding my hand around her waist.
Jorah smiles, his gold eyes that he, like me, inherited from our father, sparkle. “Nice to meet you, Sira. I can call her Sira, right? Or is that exclusive?”
“I’ll let it slide,” I reply cockily.
“Nice to meet you, too,” Siralaine says. “It’s lovely to see the bond between you both.”
“Yeah, well, we’re pretty much each other’s only family. It’s a shame I won’t get to see you for a while, but when things calm down, I’ll visit Varindor. Maybe by then I’ll have some nieces and nephews.”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” I reply, narrowing my eyes. Just the thought of kids feels… weird.
Siralaine giggles. “Well, of course, I look forward to having you here, and we will have kids someday, too! Right, Kai?”
“Right…” I say. They both laugh, and I narrow my eyes.
“Are you scared of kids? I mean, Kai the Storm Slayer, Kai the Sky Breaker, all these titles, and yet he’s scared of a little baby?”
“Who said I was scared?” I demand scornfully, but that justmakes them both laugh louder.
“Yup, scared,” Siralaine agrees.
I take hold of her chin, kissing her before she decides to agree with my brother again. Looking back at Jorah, I smile faintly. “I’ll have this set up for tonight so you can witness the ceremony.”
“I’d like that. Take care, the both of you,” Jorah says. “It’s good to see you happy, Kai.”
I nod. “I will send some letters to you for my most trusted men, if you can pass them on to them.”
“Sure, I’ll make sure to do that.”
I give him a curt nod. It’s time to talk to Varkhazan…
Ending the call, I place the next one, asking the messenger to connect me to Varkhazan. The image blurs until I am in Varkhazan’s throne room. Siralaine has moved out of sight, her eyes lock with mine, and I give her a small nod before Varkhazan, sitting on his throne, comes into view.
“I hope you have brought good news, Keiran,” he says, sitting arrogantly on his throne.
“Yes and no,” I answer.
He cocks a brow. “Oh?”
“Morcant is dead.”
