“But you're not just my mate,” Zixin 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.”
They were talking about hurting Aras? So, that was why I couldn't focus fully on my mate. My dragon had heard the threat, even when I had missed it. With a rumble of warning, I turned to look at the Sea King. If he moved against Aras, I would tear him apart.
But the Sea King only sighed deeply. “King Lyrandir will not form an allegiance with me.”
An allegiance? Now, that was a far better option. And just in time too. I could use an alliance. Especially since I was about to let go of the one thing that was certain to win me the war.
I held my mate's hand as I turned to fully face the Sea King and his mate. Then said, “Yes, I will.”
“What did you say?” King Vaxarion asked.
“I will be your ally,” I repeated. “I renounce my claim on the Eye, and I'll even help you protect it if need be.”
“Why the change of heart?”
I chuckled. “That is it exactly.” I looked at my mate, then back at King Vaxarion. “I see what's truly important now. I don't hear the Eye's call anymore. Even though it's right there.”
“It was calling you?” Vax asked.
I nodded as it all became clear. The Eye had played me. She'd kept me isolated from my family, friends, and my mate, all by forcing me to keep my mating a secret. It had kept me weak enough for her to control. I'd been enslaved to that fucking consciousness and didn't know it. So many lies interspersed with truth. Was our goddess like that? Was this consciousness a glimpse of that divine personality? I couldn't believe that. Ensarena's Eye was not the Goddess. Maybe the Eye had gone insane during her imprisonment underwater. I didn't know, and I didn't care. It was time to be done with that bitch.
“Day and night,” I said on the heels of my epiphany. “It was driving me mad.”
“That explains a lot,” Aras huffed.
“What happened to not blaming it on the Eye?” I asked him wryly.
“That was when we were fighting.”
“You're an asshole.”
“Yeah, but I'm a sane asshole.”
“True,” I conceded. I was still uncertain about my sanity.
“You'reallinsane!” King Vaxarion shouted. “And I've had enough with you fucking landers! Let's go, Mate!” He tugged on Zixin's hand as his knights gathered around them.
“Vax, come on,” Zixin said. “At least accept his offer of friendship.”
I snorted and shook my head. Of course, it would be that damn Neraky who made things right. I suppose that meant I had to let go of my irritation toward him.
“We will not be friends,” the Sea King grumbled.
“Allies,” Zixin amended.
“Fine.” King Vaxarion looked at me over his shoulder. “I accept. But come at me or mine again, and I will fucking demolish you and your entire kingdom.”
I chuckled, suddenly liking Zixin and his Sea King immensely. Was it the Eye's influence that fostered my hatred? Possibly. Probably. Definitely. With a smirk, I said, “My kind of man.”
“Hey!” my mate growled.
“Oh, please.” I rolled my eyes. “He's mated. Do you know nothing of Dragons and their mates?”
“No,” Aras said. “I don't know shit about Dragons and their mates. Why would I?”
“As I suspected.” More than suspected, truth be told, but Aras didn't need to know that.
I glanced at the Sea King and his mate, saw Zixin watching me, and did a double-take. How could I let this man know that everything was well and I appreciated what he'd done? Ah yes. I winked at him.
