“Oh, shit,” I whispered.
“He's a bottom?” Vax asked. “Didn't see that coming.”
“What? Like a bottom can't be a king?” I asked.
“No, that's not what I meant. He just acts like a top.”
“Didn't you say something about kings being alphas?”
“Acting like a top and being an alpha are two different things.”
“In what way?” I lifted a brow.
“Are we seriously arguing about this?”
I chuckled and looked down. “My arm is healed!”
“Yes, you have Sea Dragon healing now.” He lifted my hand and kissed my forearm. “But you will never risk yourself like that again. Understand me?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” I winked at him.
Vax shook his head, but before he could say more, we were interrupted.
“Don't go!” Lyrandir shouted as Aras strode away. “Please, love. I'm sorry. I was so focused on gaining the Eye that I didn't see how poorly I was treating you. Forgive me.”
Aras spun to point a finger at the King. “Don't fucking use that stone as an excuse! You were trying to control me. You wanted to make me jealous. Well, I may not be a king, but I'm the captain of one of the fastest ships on the sea, and I don't fucking get jealous. I don't need you. I don't need anyone. You were a great fuck, that's all.”
“You don't mean that, Aras.”
“Yes, I fucking do!”
“Then why did you save my life?!”
The question echoed through the room and everyone in that room stared at Aras, eager for his answer. Aras looked at me.
“When you spend your life fighting, it can be hard to know when it's time to lay down your arms and walk away,” I said. Aras started to scowl, but then I went on, “Or when to pick them up again and settle in for a good battle.”
Lyrandir looked from Aras to me and back again. “What the fuck does that mean?”
“It means you should fight for the man you love,” Vax snapped.
“I am!” Lyrandir shouted.
“No,” Aras said as he strode back to Lyrandir. “It meansIshould.” He grabbed the back of Lyrandir's head and yanked him into a savage kiss.
King Lyrandir grabbed him back, locking his arms around Aras. The Hulfrin sailors and Lyrandir's Dragon knights all started to cheer. As the men kissed, I grinned at my mate.
Vaxarion grimaced. “These men tried to take you from me. One of them tortured you. I vowed to kill him. You have no idea how the urge to fulfill that vow claws at me.”
“But you're not just my mate,” I said. “You're also a king. And you know that it would be better to foster an ally here than gain the animosity of an entire dread. Aras is the King's lover. You can't kill him.”
Vax sighed deeply. “King Lyrandir will not form an allegiance with me.”
“Yes, I will,” Lyrandir said.
Vax and I looked over at the Dragon King. He held Aras's hand, both of them looking delighted with themselves.
“What did you say?” Vaxarion asked.
