“Fine, you’re no fun. What are you going to do first as emperor, Zane? I’ve been dreaming of my first act as queen since I was a cub.” Her brown eyes sparkled.
“What would yours…” Talon began. “Wait, let me guess—”
“Orgy,” Kazsaid, immediately.
Tal frowned. “That was gonna be my guess.”
Kaz smiled widely. “It’d actually be to reestablish connections with the rest of our continent. I think Nyr has been reclusive for long enough.”
Zane raised an eyebrow. “I would love to accomplish that with you. We should draft a message to the Queen of Istora as well, before we part ways. But, first things first, I’m getting rid of all the green uniforms, and I want to fix the palace so it looks like it did when my mother was alive.”
“Em will be happy about the uniforms,” said Talon.
“Why?” Kaz and Zane asked in unison.
Talon shrugged. “He hates the color green. No idea why. It’s actually the one thing he’s never confided in me. And believe me, I’ve gotten him drunk many times to pry, but he’s extremely tight-lipped about it.”
Kaz’s eyes sparkled with a challenge. They all glanced over towards where Emmeric still sat on the ground, leaning back on his elbows. He was watching Altair and Iyana, in a not subtle manner. Zane felt bad for him. He obviously carried a torch for Iyana, and she wasn’t giving him the time of day. Not with Altair hovering around. There were some hints she may feel similarly, but the poor man didn’t stand a chance against a star.
Zane heaved a sigh, knowing he needed the remaining of Uther’s regimen to swear fealty to him. He wasn’t looking forward to it though, because if they refused… He would abandon them in the Dead Lands. Allowances couldn’t be afforded this early into his rule, especially not with men who would still be loyal to Uther—even following his demise.
But the men were well in hand and not leaving until he did, so he could afford a few more minutes in Talon’s calming presence. Tal tucked him in further and kissed the top of his head. This wonderful, amazing man was his forever.
Chapter 55
Iyana
Once she had healed herself, Altair scooped her into his arms. A part of Iyana wanted to quip how they always ended up in this position—him carrying her, cradling her to his chest as if she was precious, but she couldn’t speak through the sobs. Nothing about her felt precious. Two men had died by her hand within a span of hours. Yes, she had healed Zane, brought him back from the brink of death—which, if she was thinking rationally, was very impressive—but she had snuffed out two lives, those hearts never to beat again. Uther’s death was…complicated. While she understood why he needed to die, there were moments where shewantedto kill him, and that was the part that terrified her. Iyana’s hands were made for healing, not murder.
She looked down upon those hands as Altair walked them back towards the mouth of the cave. Drying blood coated her skin and collected under her fingernails. No matter how much she scrubbed and scoured, those marks would never completely fade. Tremors racked her body.
“Shh, astalle,” Altair soothed. “You’re alright. You’re safe.”
Iyana barely noticed Altair lowering himself to the ground, but then his warm arms enveloped her completely. She couldn’t stop shaking, but at least her tears had dried. Altair gently rocked them back and forth, making calming sounds and smoothing her hair back.
“I killed them,” she whispered.
“I know, my love.” Altair pressed a kiss to her temple. “You did what you needed to do.”
“I was going to heal the other man, but he pulled the knife out and he bled out too quickly.” The words rushed out of her in a torrent. “Iknowthere’s an artery there. Why would I stab him there when I could have chosen any other place?” Tears threatened again, prickling behind her eyes.
“Iyana,” Altair said, his voice hard, “I need you to listen. You did that in self-defense. If you hadn’t protected yourself, he would’ve killed you, and he wouldn’t have hesitated. He would not feel guilty for murdering you.”
“But I could have stabbed him somewhere else! Some place where there isn’t a giant artery running through it.” Resentment of herself and her choices rose. While she appreciated Altair’s reassurance, it didn’t change the fact that things could have, and should have, been done differently.
Using gentle fingers under her chin, Altair angled her face so she was looking into his golden eyes, which sparked with rage. “My star, if you hadn’t ended his life, I would have. Anyone who raises a hand to you, or thinks about harming you, has sealed their fate. I’ve half a mind to go kill those men over there, but I’mallowingZane to dole out punishment.”
A shiver ran through Iyana, different from the tremors of before, which she’d realized had stopped. There must be something wrong with her if she found his promises of murder and retribution arousing and slightly endearing. She decided not to delve into it, instead saving it for later. Once she’d been able to process all that had happened.
Altair’s eyes cooled, the murderous intent fleeing. “How do you feel? Physically?” Because they both knew that mentally she was far from okay.
Iyana flexed the hand Uther had demolished. It had healed fully, but she feared the phantom pains of the bones being pulverized would stay with her for a long time. “Fine. Emmeric offered to help me heal, but I was able to do it on my own.”
“Good. That’s good.” Altair paused, and she tucked her head into his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heart, letting it soothe her frantic mind. “And your magic?”
Iyana had drained her magic before plunging the dagger into Uther’s chest, but now she reached out, calling to it and the amulet. It flooded her veins immediately. A little less than before, but it was refilling quickly. The relief her powers broughther released a sigh from her lips. It eased any lingering aches and pains and soothed her heart and mind. Whispering,you’re fine, you’re okay.
“Still there and whole. I know I expended a hell of a lot of magic, but it’s coming back. I hardly feel tired now. It seems the amulet regenerates my stores faster. And I didn’t need to tap into my Kanaliza, either. In fact, he tried to channel magic to me. It was too much…I had to shove it back to him.”
