Silver’s silver eyes met mine, and a slow smile spread across his face. “I think you’d be amazing at it. You’re clever,compassionate, and you actually care about people. Those are exactly the qualities a good Ambassador needs.”
“But what about your father?” I asked. “He’ll never agree to this. He wanted me dead or gone.”
“He wanted the problem solved,” Silver corrected gently. “And this solves it. The mate bond stays intact, I get to keep you, and the Twilight Realm gets the help it desperately needs. It’s not the solution he wanted, but it’s the solution that works.”
“Assuming he agrees,” the dragon-scaled Elder said, her tone skeptical. “King Erestolal is not known for his flexibility.”
“Then we’ll have to convince him,” Silver said, his voice taking on a commanding quality I’d never heard before. For the first time, I could see the prince—no, the future king—he was meant to become. “And we’ll do it together.”
Before anyone could respond, a surge of magic rippled through the chamber. The air crackled with electricity, and I felt my shadows respond instinctively, coiling protectively around my legs. Several Elders rose from their thrones, magical energy gathering around them in defensive patterns.
A portal tore open at the far end of the chamber, purple and silver light spilling across the marble floor. Through it stepped King Erestolal, flanked by at least a dozen royal guards. His silver crown gleamed with barely contained power, and his expression was one of pure fury.
My heart hammered in my chest. I’d never actually seen Silver’s father up close before, but the resemblance was unmistakable—the same sharp features, the same purple skin, the same silver eyes that currently blazed with fury. Except where Silver’s gaze held warmth and compassion, his father’s held only cold determination.
“Silver,” the king’s voice boomed through the chamber, making me flinch. “Step away from that witch. Now.”
I felt Silver’s hand tighten around mine, his body shifting slightly to put himself between me and his father. Through our bond, I felt his fierce determination to protect me that made my chest ache.
“No,” Silver said simply, his voice carrying despite its quietness. “I won’t.”
Chapter 27
Ash
The king’s eyes narrowed, and I watched as his magical aura flared, purple energy crackling around him like a storm. The guards moved to flank him, hands on their weapons. Two with more intricate armor stepped forward, their expressions carefully neutral.
“You dare defy me?” King Erestolal took a step forward, and I felt the temperature in the room drop. “After everything I’ve done to protect you? After I’ve spent centuries building and maintaining our realm, you would throw it all away for some human?”
“I’m not throwing anything away,” Silver replied, his voice stronger now. “I’m trying to save it. But you’re too stubborn to see that.”
The king’s face darkened. “You know nothing of what it takes to rule. Nothing of the sacrifices required. You’re a child playing at rebellion. I see that now.”
“I know more than you think.” Silver’s grip on my hand was almost painful now, but I didn’t pull away. “I know the realm is dying. I know the crops are failing and the magic wells are running dry. I know you arranged my marriage because you’re desperate, not because it was the best political move.”
I watched as shock flickered across the king’s face, quickly replaced by anger. “How dare you?—”
“He dares because he speaks the truth, Your Majesty,” Confiance interrupted, her voice calm but firm. “And because the Elder Council has heard enough of your threats and posturing. We now know the reality of your situation.”
King Erestolal’s gaze snapped to her, and I saw something dangerous flash in his eyes. “You presume much, Elder Eveninglight.”
“I presume nothing. I state facts.” She gestured to the assembled Council. “We are prepared to offer the Twilight Realm the aid it desperately needs. Resources?—”
“I do not need help providing for myownkingdom!” he shouted, not letting her finish. King Erestolal’s face was dark purple, his brow knitted in fury. “I am the king! I know what is right for my own people!”
“Clearly you don’t!” Silver shouted back, taking a step forward. “If you won’t let go of your pride for even a second to hear what the Elder Council has to say…” Silver shook his head. “Then you’re not half the king our people deserve.”
The silence that followed Silver’s words was deafening. I felt the mate bond thrumming between us, carrying his conviction, his desperation, his love for his people that was so much stronger than his fear of his father. My heart swelled with pride even as terror gripped my chest.
King Erestolal stood frozen, his mouth slightly open as if Silver had physically struck him. The guards shifted uncomfortably, clearly uncertain how to respond to their prince openly challenging their king. I could see the muscles in the king’s jaw working, his hands clenched into fists at his sides.
“You... you dare speak to me this way?” His voice was low, dangerous. “In front of the Elder Council? In front of my own guards?”
“Someone has to,” Silver replied, and I felt him trembling slightly beside me even as his voice remained steady. “Someone has to tell you that your pride is killing our people. That your refusal to accept help is dooming the realm you claim to love so much.”
“I have kept our people safe for centuries?—”
“You’ve kept them isolated!” Silver interrupted, his own anger finally breaking through. “You’ve wrapped them in barriers and traditions and told them it was for their protection, but really it was just to maintain control. To make sure no one could see how weak we’ve actually become.”
