“When will I be crowned?” she asked.
“We need to make the arrangements. My mother will help.”
“She lives nearby?”
“She has a suite inside the castle.”
“Ah.”
I lifted my eyebrows, a smile teasing across my mouth. “What does that sound mean?”
“She lives with us.”
“If living with us inside a building with over three hundred suites and more parlors and sitting areas than I can count means living with us, then yes.”
“You know what I mean.” Why couldn't I read her expression? This woman projected sweetness, but it was time I looked past the surface. She’d been a dragon trainer. She’d ridden a dragon into battle for much of her life. While a sweet woman could handle things like that, this sweet woman also possessed a core of steel.
She'd need it.
“Elaborate,” I said, laying my arm around her shoulders, tugging her closer.
“She'sthe queen, isn't she?”
“She was, but with our marriage, you'll wear the crown.”
“I don't want to take something from her if she wants it.” She nibbled on her fingernail. “I don’t want her to feel like I'm shoving her out.”
My low laugh rolled through the street. “We won't pack her bags and push her out the front door of the castle, I assure you. She'll remain in the suite she moved into after my father's death, one worthy of her status as the queen mother.” I wanted Reyla to understand, and I didn't want her worrying about something like this, though my mother could be challenging. “She married my father and was crowned queen, but with his death and my coronation, everyone knew she'd move into a rolewhere she'd advise me only until I was grown. She knew she’d have to step aside when I married. But I promise you, she'll help us arrange for your coronation; she won't act spiteful about it.”
“Alright.”
“It needs to take place soon.”
“How soon?”
“A week.”
She gulped. “How can we arrange something like that in such a short time?”
“You won't be cleaning the throne room—”
Her nose twitched. “You have a throne room?”
“Don't all kings? It's a place to meet with visiting dignitaries, dispense justice, and—”
“I know all that. Ivenrail dispensed justice in a unique way.” She tilted her head and watched my face. “Do you keep a dragon in the throne room with you?”
“Why would I?”
“To burn people who displease you.”
My huff of a laugh ended abruptly. “You're not joking.”
“You didn't know Ivenrail well.”
“I heard about him. I wouldn't have allied my court with Lydel and Riftflame if I thought he was a fair, kind king.”
“Anything but.”
