Yalina looks around. “But we killed the king.”
Aurelion huffs a laugh. “As did about seven of the ten most recent rulers of Tarquenor. It is the way of things.”
“Not in Vathira.”
“I certainly agree with abolishing the practice if I’m to be king and you queen.”
She sighs. “You see, though? I am not a dragon. I do not understand your ways.”
“You understand me well enough, rhkash.”
She’s silent again. Her fingers still in my hair.
“What else bothers you?” I ask.
“Would my people think I am abandoning them? Would they be angry if I could not live in Vathira all the time?”
“Would they not glory in your increase of power and the expansion of Vathiran interests?” says Jah’ruud.
“And if you can take multiple husbands, then why not multiple kingdoms?” I add.
“Hmm. You are all so persuasive. But for every reassurance, another worry crops up as soon as I start thinking about it again. It’s no use.”
“You do not need to decide yet, precious one,” says Jah’ruud. “In the morning, all will look clearer. You shall see.”
She relaxes, and I’m just drifting off to sleep when her whisper wakes me. “Can I take you all as husbands? I don’t think I’ve asked you.”
Aurelion chuckles. “No need to ask, rhkash. At least not me. I am yours.”
“As am I,” agrees Jah’ruud.
Her hand finds my cheek in the dark and I grin up at her. “Yalina, you asked me once what I would do with one night of freedom, but I’ve had a lifetime of freedom up until now. I want to find out what it’s like to belong. To have a home and a family.”
She blinks back tears that glitter in the moonlight. “You have a family right here.”
“I know,” I say easily, patting her hand. “Because you made it so. And I know you can make the Tarquenorians love you just as much as your own people; just as much as we all do.”
“They’d better not try that,” says Aurelion with a laugh. “There’s only so much sharing a dragon can stand.”
We spend a month in Tarquenor, tying up loose ends. By the end of the month, Yalina is restless to be gone and to get back to Vathira. Aurelion offers to make me an official prince ofTarquenor, but I decline. Turns out I don’t need to be anyone other than me to win Yalina’s heart.
Before we leave the dragon city, though, I am forced to participate in a coronation—the first of two, since we must repeat the process when we return to Vathira.
I’m feeling a little hot under the collar in my ceremonial garb, which is a stiff sleeveless tunic with a high halter neckline and long fitted trousers. I did not choose the outfit myself, but Aurelion tells me it is traditional, and so I do not argue. He looks perfectly at home in his. The deep purple compliments his red skin and brings out the dark color of his eyes. His hair is slicked back into an elaborate braid and little jewels hang from his wings.
I’m sure I look ridiculous in the deep forest green tunic he lent to me. My hair has been oiled and slicked back, and I keep reaching up to brush it away from my face only to realize I do not need to.
Jah’ruud has elected to design his own outfit and refused to reveal it to any of us until the ceremony.
Typical.
Finished dressing ahead of schedule, I can’t wait around in the princely suite I was appointed. Instead, I go out to the balcony and swiftly climb up the dividing wall between my suite and the royal suite where Yalina is dressing. I drop lightly onto silent feet and draw what shadows I can find around myself. There are not many to be found with the harsh western sun blasting down on the palace, but the balcony is facing southeast, so I crouch low and make use of the ones which linger in the corners and below the overhanging roof.
I creep into her room, looking around to locate her. But when I spot her standing in front of the mirror, I cannot help the audible gasp that comes from me.
She turns and her face breaks into a smile. “You could have used the door.”
“Why would I do that?” I straighten and stride toward her, taking her hand and spinning her so I can view the long ceremonial dress she wears from every angle. The dress has a low cut back. The drape of the fabric swoops down, revealing the dimples at the top of her hips and making me ache to slide my hands beneath it. At the front it is more modest, hugging her figure and showing off the slight curve of her belly and the swell of her breasts.
