The king was quiet for a long moment, his fingers drumming against his thigh. I could see the war playing out behind his eyes.His pride and belief in tradition was trying to win out. But could he truly turn away when everything his people needed was on the table?
“Father,” Silver said softly, stepping up beside me. “I know this isn’t what you wanted. But you once told me you would do anything,sacrificeanything to save your people. So please consider it, if not for my sake, then for theirs.”
Something in the king’s expression cracked, just slightly. He looked at his son—reallylooked at him—and I saw the weight of centuries pressing down on his shoulders.
“You truly believe this witch can help us?” he asked, and there was something almost vulnerable in his voice.
“I know he can,” Silver replied without hesitation. “And I know that with the Elder Council’s support, we can save the Twilight Realm. But you need to let them help you.” He strode forward until he was standing face to face with his father. “This is what you’ve trained me for my entire life. All you have to do now is let me carry this weight with you.” Silver reached out, placing a hand on his father’s shoulder. “You don’t have to do it alone anymore.”
I watched as King Erestolal’s silver eyes stared at his son’s hand on his shoulder. For a long moment, nobody moved. Nobody breathed. The entire chamber seemed to hold its collective breath, waiting for the king’s response.
Then, slowly, I saw something shift in his expression. The hard lines around his mouth softened just slightly, and his shoulders sagged as if he’d been holding up the world for far too long.
“You’ve grown up,” he said quietly, his voice rough with emotion I hadn’t expected. “When did you become so wise?”
“I had a good teacher,” Silver replied, and I felt the rush of complicated emotions through our bond—love, frustration, hope, and fear all tangled together.
The king’s gaze moved past Silver to me, and I braced myself for another verbal assault. But instead, his expression was thoughtful, almost calculating.
“This shadow walker,” he said, addressing Confiance but still looking at me. “Can he truly do what you claim? Move freely between realms? Facilitate trade without portal magic?”
“I’ve seen his abilities firsthand,” Confiance replied. “He breached Widdershins Academy’s wards twice. Wards that have stood for centuries. He shadow walked from North America to China in a matter of seconds. And his magic, while unconventional, is extraordinarily powerful.”
I felt my cheeks heat at the praise. My shadows swirled around my ankles, responding to my embarrassment.
“And you would swear loyalty to the Twilight Realm?” the king asked me directly. “To its people and its crown?”
I glanced at Silver, who gave me the smallest nod of encouragement through our bond. I felt his absolute faith in me, his certainty that I could do this. It steadied my nerves.
“I would,” I said, keeping my voice firm. “Not just because of the mate bond, but because I believe in what Silver wants to build. A realm that’s open to cooperation instead of isolation. One that can thrive instead of just survive.”
The king studied me for another long moment, then turned back to the Elder Council. “What guarantees do I have that this arrangement won’t simply make my realm dependent on your aid? That you won’t use our need as leverage?”
“We can draft a formal treaty,” the vampire Elder said, leaning forward on his throne. “One that outlines clear terms, limitations, and protections for both parties. The Elder Council has no interest in controlling the Twilight Realm, Your Majesty. We simply wish to prevent its collapse, which would destabilize the balance between all realms.”
“And the resources you’re offering,” the king pressed. “What’s the timeline? How quickly can they be delivered?”
I watched as Confiance and the other Elders exchanged glances, then the ember-eyed witch spoke. “We could begin deliveries within days. Emergency food supplies first, followed by the rest. However, there is one requirement.”
King Erestolal stopped, his eyes boring into her. “What requirement?”
“Silver and Ash are to be married, in front of the entire Twilight Realm,” she said simply. “Let’s call it a show of good faith on your part.”
I felt my stomach drop at her words. Marriage? In front of the entire Twilight Realm? My mind raced, trying to process what she was asking. I glanced at Silver, searching his face for some reaction, and through the bond I felt his surprise. But also… something else. Determination. Hope. And underneath it all, a fierce joy that made my breath catch.
King Erestolal’s expression darkened. “You would dictate the terms of my son’s union?”
“We would ensure that your people understand the commitment being made,” Confiance replied smoothly. “The Twilight Realm needs to see that this arrangement is permanent, that their prince has not simply taken a lover but has bound himself to someone who will serve their interests. A public ceremony would demonstrate that strength.”
I felt my shadows writhe anxiously around my feet. A public ceremony meant standing in front of thousands of people who would judge me, scrutinize me, wonder why their prince had chosen a cursed shadow witch over a proper political alliance. The thought made my chest tight with panic.
But then Silver’s hand found mine again, his fingers lacing through mine with absolute certainty. Through the bond, I felt his emotions wash over me once more.
“I think it’s a brilliant idea,” Silver said, his voice ringing clear through the chamber. He turned to look at me, his silver eyes bright. “Ash and I were already planning to spend our lives together. Why not make it official? Show our people that this bond is something to celebrate, not fear?”
My throat felt tight. “Silver, I?—”
“Unless you don’t want to marry me,” he added quickly, and I felt a spike of anxiety through the bond. “I know this is sudden, and I should probably ask properly, and?—”
