And it’s up to me to change it.
I pushed open the side doors and entered the throne room. The thick black cloak I wore covered me from neck to toes, billowing outaround the rest of my clothing. I kept it wrapped tightly around me, a hand at the collar of my throat as I walked, steeling myself against the response my presence was sure to create.
There was total silence as I walked, but every eye in the room swiveled to look at me nonetheless. The weight of that attention was enormous, and my steps slowed and started to falter. I wanted to draw on some of the alpha power from my newly awakened dragon, but I refrained. Caz and I had decided it would be best to hide my burgeoning strength for now. Woe betide the first elite who tried to take advantage of me.
You can do this without it. You’re strong enough.
The thought was buoyed by a wave of support and encouragement flowing from the figure on the throne itself. He too was staring at me, but though his face was devoid of emotion, crafted into perfect neutrality, I knew the truth.
I knew what was behind it, and I felt my legs strengthen, my stride lengthen, and my pride wrap steel around my spine. I wouldnotbow before the court. I would not let them see me cower in fear and run.
Never again.
I walked right up to stand slightly in front of Dirk. Bryna looked up at me from her knees, staring daggers. I narrowed my eyes a hair at her unwarranted defiance. The hand holding mycloak moved. To anyone else, it would have been a twitch.
But Bryna knew what it was, and she snarled at the reminder of who wore the collar and who didn’t.
That was the easy part. What came next would be tougher. Exhaling, I set my shoulders and slowly turned to face the crowd of elites. The same elites who had bought and abused people like me for centuries. I faced them with a stiff spine, without shrinking before their combined power because that was all going to change, starting today.
Starting with me.
Mine. Mate.
The thought came pouring in through my bond, wrapped up in a mixture of admiration and outright delight and pride. I fought back a smile. I liked it when Caz got all possessive and proud of me.
My dragon soared higher in response as well, pushing up against my control until the room lightened.
Then I spoke. My voice rang out, reciting the words exactly as planned.
“I witnessed the accused in association with six scale dragons, all of whom were under her direct command. She not only knew exactly what they were but was excited to have them so they could execute the lawful ice tyrant of thekingdom. This constitutes an act of treason, and I so swear it was true.”
“Bryna Allard,” Caz ground out. He hated this part, but had said it was necessary. “Is there anything you wish to say now, before the trial?”
I knew right then Caz would be releasing his alpha hold of her, freeing her to speak. Now Bryna rose to her feet, though Caz and Dirk didn’t release her arms or even let up their grip.
It had to be done this way. Properly. Otherwise, it wouldn’t stick. The other elites would find any excuse they could to say the trial was improper. So, she had to have a chance to speak. But neither of us enjoyed it.
“There is much I wish to say,” Bryna said, breaking into laughter. “But most of all, I must point out that you are attempting to use aclippyto accuse me. Their words have no standing in here. Your father saw to that. No matter how important she is to you, none will trust her word.”
In days past, I might have lost my temper at that. But today, it was exactly what we had hoped she would say. Because it led Caz to his second announcement for the day. I turned to look at him, basking in his enjoyment of the moment. Of what he was about to do.
“I figured you might say something like that,” Caz growled. “It shows your true ignorance because you must have missed the bond mark onher.”
The crowd was silent. Caz stood and gestured at me.
With careful, and long practiced precision, I threw off the cloak to reveal a gorgeous purple dress. According to Caz and Dirk, it was more than befitting of my new station.
At a further gesture from Caz, I began to ascend the stairs. With each step, the noise in the throne room mounted at my back. I ignored it. I only had eyes for the man in front of me.
His eyes filled with approval and a deep, burning arousal.
“This is not a grounded, my fellows. This is my mate. I have claimed her. She bears my bite, and as such, I proclaim her Ice Tyrantess, whose word is as mine!”
Caz’s final words rose to a shout as I took my place at his side. He had to raise his voice to be heard over the roar that threatened to bring the ceiling down upon us. I poured my love and my support into him as the elites howled protests and counter-protests as Caz’s supporters shot them down.
Without looking, he reached out, his hand finding mine and taking it in his grasp. In unison, we sat upon the thrones. Together.
This was it, then. The point of no return. He had proclaimed me as his mate to the kingdom.Because I could do no other,he had told Dirk inprivate.I will risk it all for her because I would not be worthy if I didn’t.
