“That is exactly what you should do!” Imogen added, clapping her hands. “Can you imagine their faces when they see your Dragon Eye, and see you communicating with the Dragons? Even making them do everything you want?”
“I don’t order them around,” he countered.
“But they will follow your lead, Prince. It is the very reason you got this gift: to lead them in war, so show our people that. Show off what you can do. Become larger than life with your Dragons and give us a true show.”
“I’m sure your Dragon family won’t mind helping you put on a magic show,” Harper proposed. “And I, for one, would love to see that.”
A grin stretched his lips, the idea growing on him. “I guess they would also have fun.”
“I’m sure they would.” I cradled my mate’s cheek, bringing his attention back to me. “It is time for you to own your legacy proudly and stand tall before them, not only as the Harbinger’s son, but as the man who will lead a legion of Dragons and help free our world.”
His thoughtful eyes bounced from mine to Willow’s next to me, who nodded encouragingly. “They deserve to know you for who you truly are and respect you for who you are becoming, Braxton.”
A breath filled with duty, hope, and determination expanded his chest, and he smiled. “Let’s have a jubilee.”
“Yes!” the Elevated Warriors shouted, and we laughed.
“I’ll prepare it for the day after tomorrow. There is no time to waste. I will let you know once I have coordinated everything.”
“Thank you, Willow,” Braxton offered, then glanced back at me. “I’m sorry, Baby, but we have to leave. Asher is waiting.”
“Of course.” Patting his arm, we all walked out of the throne room to accompany him to the cave behind the kitchens where Asher would meet them.
As Braxton took the lead with Imogen and the others, Kingston fell back, joining Willow and me.
“I know the custom is for the king or queen to dub their highest knight with that which will be their warrior title,” he began, sounding uncharacteristically shy. “Your parents dubbed Khayden theHarbinger of Justice, so it would be up to you to dub the Devenish Prince…”
My steps paused just outside the palace gates; I hadn’t even thought about that. “Do you have a title in mind?”
He slowly nodded, clearing his throat before speaking again. “If I may be so bold as to ask, my princess… I would like to request the honor of naming him myself.”
Warmth rushed through my chest, the rising emotion reaching my throat. “And it will be my honor to watch you do it. I know it will mean a lot to him too.”
Kingston’s smile fought to capture his entire face, but he vanished it before it could, giving me a head bow. “Thank you.”
I hugged him instead of answering, truly appreciative of that gentle giant.
Rejoining Braxton’s side, we walked towards the cave while Willow, Imogen, and my guard respectfully remained by the gates—understanding this was a private matter. The air instantly shifted around us, the temperature dropping with every step.
Asher stood just outside it, wearing a thick winter coat under his arm shield, and holding two more in his grasp.
“Forgive me for delaying your departure,” I offered when my guardian, Braxton, and I stopped before him. “There was something important Braxton and I needed to do.”
“I understand, Princess. No problem at all.” Turning to Braxton and Kingston, he handed them the coats. “In any case, I’m still waiting for Crystal to exit.”
“Crystal?” Braxton asked, bringing me into his warm arms when a shudder travelled down my back. It was freezing here.
“The Dragon who will take us to the Icelands,” Asher answered, sending a small glance my way.
Like my parents, and as the new ruler, I shared the privilege of knowing the Truth Teller was his mother, but when they died, her location became privy only to her son. I respected that because it was his story to tell and our secret to protect.
“Why can’t we take Tharion, Spartan, and Athina?” Braxton asked.
“Fire Dragons can only withstand a certain area of the Icelands. They can’t sustain the frigid temperatures found where we need to go.” Asher sighed, the weight of what he needed to face heavy on him. “You need the jackets.”
Nodding, Braxton let go of me, and I helped him remove the arm shield so he could protect himself from the frigid weather he would encounter.
“Additionally, theIcelandsare a five-day flight from here,” I informed, guiding the arm shield straps back onto his chest once he secured the fur-lined coat. “On the other side of Caelisium.”
