It wasn’t a true question.
Breaking a bloodsworn oath meant only one thing: a torturous death.
Several nobles sputtered. One lord rose and stomped around those sitting on the floor, aiming for us. He stopped at the bottom of the dais steps. “Your Majesty. This… I can see asking this of lessers, but surely you don't meanus.”
“Allwill bloodswear,” Lore said. “We are one people. I am your king, and you. Will. Fucking. Obey me.” His slick smile rose. “Or you may try to leave.” A flick of his hand and our guards stepped in front of all exits, lifting their weapons still stained with blood ofthe borgons they'd killed to defend this lord and the others' right to protest.
“This is preposterous,” the lord fumed. “You can't do this.”
Lore lifted one eyebrow. “Can't I?” His gaze sliced through the room. “Do any of you wish to oppose us?”
The lord slunk back, wilting into his seat while quiet echoed in the room.
Talvon made his way up onto the dais and stopped in front of us, pulling a small blade from the sheath on his right calf. “With my blood, I swear loyalty to King Lorick and Queen Reyla. Long live our majesties. Long live Evergorne Court.” He gouged the blade into his wrist and blood trickled out to drop onto the marble floor where it sizzled.
“I accept your devotion,” Lore said, his gaze meeting mine.
“I also accept your devotion,” I said in a strong voice that carried through the hall.
Talvon left, shooting us a pleased look before the door closed behind him.
One by one, everyone came forward to pledge their loyalty to the crown.
“I swear myself to you, King Lorick, and to Lady Reyla, bound by blood until my last breath.”
“Fealty, King Lorick, Queen Reyla.”
Their blood flowed, dissipating into the air or sinking into the stone the moment they stepped back to allow another to take their place. After pledging, each was allowed to leave, and they hurried from the room, cowed for now.
Finally, we were alone except for our guards.
Lore waved his hand, and even they left, closing the doors behind them. They wouldn’t go far, but it was wonderful to have a moment to breathe air not tainted with fury and dismay.
Lore leaned back in his throne, rubbing his forehead. Thefaint glow of daylight through the tall windows cast his face into sharp relief, highlighting his lashes too long for someone this capable of ruin. Exhaustion pinched his mouth. There was no more Lorant or Merrick, yet I saw them both in the tilt of this man’s head and the curve of his lips.
Rising from my throne, I stepped in front of him. He didn’t look up, but his hand dropped, and those gorgeous green eyes latched onto me. I climbed into his lap, straddling his thighs with my own, cupping his shoulders with my hands.
His arms looped around my waist as I settled fully against him, his palms spreading across my lower back, his fingers pressing against the leather stretched there. The lazy drag of his knuckles paired with the sharp edge in his gaze.
“You belong here,” he said. “But I wish to point out that your ass is much too distracting.” His lips quirked up, but the rasp of his voice carried more heat than amusement. His hands slid lower to cup me fully, and heat flushed my skin as he tugged me closer until our bodies aligned. “Makes dealing with treason almost bearable.”
“Don’t think that I won’t shift this conversation in a more serious direction,” I said, pressing both hands against his chest. His heart thumped strong and steady beneath my palms, a reassurance I hadn’t realized I needed.
His smirk softened into something devastatingly warm. “Don’t ever stop surprising me, Wildfire.”
I was tethered to this man forever.
“The borgons.” I met his unwavering stare. “Why did they stop? Why didn’t they continue to rip through the city? It's almost as if the largest one followed your command.”
“My command,” he said as if tasting the words. His head tipped back, and his gaze flicked to a place beyond my shoulder. His body tensed beneath mine, every line of him coiling tight. “Itunnerved me.” Lifting his hand, he brushed his fingertips along my jaw. “Don’t mistake it for leniency.”
“If they attack again, we’ll be ready.” The ease with which I said it surprised even me, but wasn’t that the truth of it? Even now, worn out and bloodstained, this was the man I would stand beside always, battle after battle.
His gaze searched mine, his smoldering intensity balanced by the unspoken agreement that we would never relent. Not against them. Not against anyone. Only with each other.
“What about those loyal to your mother? Treachery this close to the throne is just as capable of tearing us down.”
His expression darkened, his brows knitting together. “They’ll die as they deserve.”
