Brokk strokes his beard. “What did you say?”
“I told them our plans for the Stone Kingdom. They agreed to them. We’re appointing an interim king for a temporary period, until the kingdom is stable.”
“Who?” Brokk asks.
“You,” I retort. I lean back against Hunter, who’s a solid wall behind me. I grin at the shocked look on Brokk’s face. “You’re going to handle it. First, you’re going to handle this week’s palace audience, and answer everyone’s concerns.”
“What?” a few councilors exclaim along with Brokk.
“You can handle it.” I say. “The king trusts you. You’ll probably end up retelling your role in the glorious battle with the Slythin.”
Brokk keeps opening and closing his mouth, but no sound is coming out.
“Do a good job, because after this, we’re sending you to the Stone Kingdom for a while, along with some rebuilding supplies and a team of your choosing.” I grin up at him. “You’re gonna be the interim king.”
Hunter slaps Brokk's shoulder.
The Alpha looks dazed. “What?”
“The Forest Kingdom will give you as much aid as you need,” I say loudly enough for all to hear. “We will send you with resources and provide regular shipments until the Stone Kingdom has been rebuilt. This is an interim position but you have the king’s trust. And mine.”
Hunter slaps Brokk’s shoulder again, harder this time. It seems to jolt Brokk out of his stupor and he does the only thing he can do.
“I am honored, my queen.” He steps back and bows with a hand over his heart.
“You’ll do a great job. And don’t worry, we’ll be fine without you. I’m going to help with the royal audiences. As for the Stone Kingdom, we'll set up a vote so the people can choose their own leader when your temporary rule is over. I'll explain how it all works.”
“What’s a vote?”
I wave a hand. “We’ll ride that snake when we come to it.”
Someone's pushing through the crowd, a small figure in an opaque gray veil, accompanied by a subtle jasmine scent. “I wish to go with him,” Diala says quietly.
“Very well,” I say. There's less of a chance of people recognizing her in the Stone Kingdom. “Brokk will need all the aid he can get.” And this is the perfect solution, until we can find a way to disguise Diala further.
“My king?” An Arborii steps forward. “Is this your wish?”
“I speak for the king,” I say. Hunter just glares at everybody until the courtier backs away.
I turn to him and press close. “Take me home.” He grunts and scoops me up. He strides through the parting crowd to the palace but I squeeze his arm to gain his attention.
“Not the palace,” I say. “Ourhome.”
His lips curve up into a smile.
* * *
Haley
The scent of herbs is thick on the night air when Hunter carries me up to the waterfall. The cool mist hits my face, and I’m home.
The glowing orbs flicker on as we enter the cave. The place is just as we left it. Maybe he has little elves or fairies or tiny Slythin come through and clean when he’s not here.
Hunter crouches to light a fire in the brazier. On our way here, we stopped by the river and, in the light of the moons, we fished. He taught me to kick over a rock and spear the little critters with a dagger. The fish are purple with lots of crazy little dangly things hanging off them. Hunter will know how to cook them and make them smell delicious.
I occupy myself with shaking out the furs and rearranging them into a nice, silky pile while Hunter builds the fire. When he’s done, the crackling flames make shadows flicker on the walls. I’m still fussing with the rounded bed I’ve made with the furs—I just need a few cushions from the palace, and it will be perfect—when I sense him looming behind me.
“I can't believe you knew how to speak with the snakes all along,” I say without turning around. My hands itch to position a fur just so. I lean over and twitch the shiny pelt into place. “You have so many powers that I'm just discovering.”
