“I love you too.”
“Not almost?”
“Not almost. You love me.” He pulled back to smile at me. “And it's about fucking time.”
I laughed, but it ended on a sob.
“It's okay, swanling. The day is won, we are together, and Nikolay is dead. He can't ever hurt you again.”
I looked around the courtyard. Sure enough, my people were free while the knights who had fought for Nikolay were in chains. Without any surprise, I realized that all of them were black swans. Only a handful of knights were originally from Russia, and they had all switched sides when the fighting began.
Dear Gods, what I'd once thought was diversity in Larchs—a beautiful range of plumage—I now saw as something sinister. Although not all the black swans had backed Nikolay; Ivan was only one of several who had helped us. That gave me hope that the lie might become the truth.
One of the Kaplan shifted to his man form and accepted a coat from one of the Larchs. Two coats, actually. He pulled one on and brought the other to Konstantin.
Right, we were both standing on that platform naked.
“It is done,” the Kaplan said in a deep voice as he handed Kon the coat.
“Thank you.” Kon shrugged into his coat and then tucked me inside with him. “King Mikhail, this is Commander Anatoly. Commander, meet King Mikhail.”
The Commander's yellow eyes slid to me. “It's our honor to return your throne and name to you, King Mikhail. May you restore that name to its past greatness.”
“Thank you. The Larch Kingdom is in your debt, Commander.”
“It is our duty to guard the beneathers of Russia per the ancient pact, Your Majesty. No debt has been incurred. Rather, an old mistake has been corrected. We should have kept a closer watch on your court. I'm afraid with missed the whole usurpation.”
“Most of my people did as well, Commander. Grigori was cunning in his tactics. As was his son.”
“Still, it's with great relief that we right our past mistakes.” He bowed.
I inclined my head in what I hoped was a regal way—as regal as I could be when wrapped within Kon's coat. Then I looked at Kon. “Let me fetch my robe.”
I slid out of Konstantin's grasp and collected my robe from where Timur had tossed it near the block. As I dressed, the Larchs distributed clothing to the Kaplans, and the tigers shifted to get dressed as well. Kon and the Commander joined me, their stares sliding over the pinioning block with disapproval.
“I will have it destroyed,” I said.
Both men grunted and nodded.
Sir Ivan approached us and went to his knees before me. “Your Majesty, I pledge my sword to your service. That is, if you will have me.”
“I am grateful for your help, Sir Ivan. It was brave of you to stand up for what you believed in, especially against such overwhelming odds.” I laid my hand on his shoulder. “Not only will I accept your fealty, but I'm placing you in command of the King's Guard.”
“I will gladly serve the true King.”
“Then stand and assume your duty, Sir Ivan.” I held out a hand to help him up.
He took it with a proud grin and stood. “If I may make a suggestion?”
“Of course.”
“There are other black swans who chose to back you would make great additions to your guard. Two of them served in the King's Guard with me.”
Not all the black swans who had taken our side were in the Larch Army. A few were members of the court. Not that I was surprised that they'd want to see Nikolay replaced, only that they'd been brave enough to switch sides. That being said, I was certain those were not the Larchs who Ivan spoke of.
“Yes, you're right. They've shown great courage as you have. I'd be honored to have them.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Ivan bowed to me, then motioned with his head toward some of the black swans who had helped us.
