This was going to go south. Neve moved a little closer, ready to jump in.
“Let her have this,” Flyka muttered from behind him. “They will take it better from her than from you. She is human, you are not.”
He gritted his teeth but waited. If Lia needed him, he would be there.
“I am not their daughter,” she hissed. “I disowned them the moment they sold me to the Loriian throne.” Neve couldn’t look away from the fierceness of her expression. “You know what? Living with giants of the north taught me who the real monsters are. The Asteran monarchs.” She stabbed a finger at the burning tent. “The blood in my veins doesn’t control me. I make my own path, as can you. Today, you can choose to take your power back and punish those who have brought our people to the brink of starvation. All you have to do is lay down your arms and walk away.”
“And the Loriians? Will they let us walk away?” a Fierran called.
Neve eyed the troll from the Fire Nation who sat on the fence surrounding the training arena. He had a lazy, impish energy, one that reminded him of Olwen. He wore black leather as his compatriots did.
The mercenaries.
Neve glanced between thevallosand his wife. Something had passed between the two that spoke of familiarity. What business did Dahlia have with this male?
“The frost giants have no quarrel with you personally, only those who broke their word.” She looked to Neve. He held her gaze and nodded once. Slavery had been banished years prior.They would let the humans leave as long as they didn’t take up arms against the Loriians.
Neve straightened on his horse and Flyka growled, “Don’t do it. You become more of a target.”
He ignored her. “I am King of Loriia.” Wide terrified eyes flew in his direction. “And I vow that you will be safe if you leave this place and my people alone.”
“What if we wish to punish the throne?” the same Fierran shouted, a challenge in his gaze.
“Then we ride together and do it ourselves,” Neve replied. He had never wanted to expand Loriia, only longed for peace and prosperity for his kingdom. Now it seemed that the humans could not be trusted to govern themselves. The Loriians would have to do it for them.
The Fierran grinned, his attention moving back to Dahlia. “My lady, will you lead us?”
Neve stared at his wide-eyed mate. She scanned the crowd, determination eventually settling over her features. “It would be my honor. The royals’ tyranny ends today. I will rip Allium from the amber throne by her hair if I must.” She pointed at the king’s flaming tent. “And I will burn their greed and depravity from Astera so we can live the way we were meant to!”
Serenity dropped from the sky and landed on Dahlia’s shoulder. A goddess and her familiar.
The crowd exploded into cheers and then began to chant, “Queen Dahlia. Queen Dahlia. Queen Dahlia.”
The Frost King stared in wonder at thereilleve.
She’d swayed the Asteran army.
Prevented a bloodbath.
And rose from the ashes like amizareth.
Neve had never been prouder.
Or more terrified.
Florrant would be theirs.
And they would rule it all.
Together.
