“We’re not ready,” Cade said into the silence.
“Then we’ll get ready,” Rowan said, his silver eyes blazing with determination. “Whatever it takes.”
All the heirs straightened, a new steel in their eyes.
“Rowan.” Killian’s gaze locked on the fae prince. “It’s time you step up and take the throne. Bastard or not, we don’t give a fuck. We can storm the fae court together. We can’t have a fucking hostile force at our backs while we go to war.”
Rowan’s jaw clenched so hard I saw Sy glance at him, worried for his teeth. “This root I must tear out myself. The fae courtbends to oak, not iron. They'll never bow if I arrive with foreign steel at my back.”
Sy moved to stand by him, her hand finding his in a show of support.
“I’ll try to negotiate with King Emyr for peace first,” Rowan continued. “My mate should not live as a refugee. But to overthrow him now, we’d risk a civil war. It takes time to win over the oldest court in the realm. Right now, two-thirds of the kingdom still support my father. Royal bloodline is everything to fae, and I…I am not from that line. The last thing I want is to have more fae blood on my hands.”
“Rowan is right,” Cade said. “It isn’t practical for him to take the throne now, not like the lightning strikes Killian and Silas pulled off. We must focus on the war against the God of Ruin while preventing King Emyr from coming after Rowan.”
The other heirs moved as one, clasping hands with Rowan. “Anything you need, brother, the Covenant stands with you.”
Sy and I joined them, our power humming through the connection.
“What’s next?”Louis asked.
“You prepare for war,” Killian said. “My mate and I need time alone. War can wait.”
“War won’t wait,” Cade protested. “We should go to the Red Room and speak with the other gods now. It is better to handle this while we’re all here.”
“One hour,” Killian insisted. The gold bled into his eyes. “My dragon demands it.” He slashed a hand through the air, tearing open a portal to his realm. “My mate being taken to the Underworld pushed him to the edge.”
Killian lifted me, and I wrapped my legs around his waist, holding on tight. Through our bond, I felt Tyson rumbling with eagerness. He wanted to go home and take me flying. The dragon had his own priorities, which did not include the heirs and their war councils.
“Wait for us!” Sy called, rushing forward with Rowan.
But Killian was already sliding us through the fiery seam. He let it snap shut, leaving only a crack.
“What the hell, Killian?” Rowan barked from the other side.
“Codependence ain’t healthy, Sy!” I shouted through the narrowing gap.
“That asshole is so irresponsible,” Silas hissed. “It’s always what Killian wants, Killian gets.”
The portal sealed, cutting off Sy’s indignant cry.
“They can find their own fucking romantic getaway,” Killian chuckled against my neck. “For the next hour, it’s just us. No gods, no war, no other heirs bitching about everything.”
“Just us,” I agreed.
In less than a week, I’d have to face my father. But for now, I’d ride my mate and his dragon all the way to the apocalypse.
Chapter
Eighteen
Barbie
While morning light bathed Shades Academy, starlight shone in the dragon realm.
“My dragon wants to fly with you first,” Killian said, kissing my temple. “He wants to show you more of his home.”
I nodded. “Whenever he’s ready?—”
