After awhile, Iyana was the one to break the silence.“I know it’s not the best time, but I thought you would both want to know that I saw Elena.”
Yrza sat up a little straighter.“You saw Elena?Where?”
“There was a little woman made of fire that I thought was a simple embodiment of my magic.She had been missing since Altair stole everything in the Dead Lands, but when I called for help yesterday, she showed up.I could see her face clearly and knew it was Elena.”
“I don’t understand,” Kaz said.“Where is she?Where has she been?”
Iyana shrugged.“I tried to ask her.She said she could hear me from across the realms.”
The two goddesses—one dark and one light—glanced at each other.
“I will need to search for my sister,” Yrza said hesitantly.“And Khollo should not be allowed to roam freely, either.I can look for them both simultaneously.”
“I’ll come with you,” Kaz said immediately.
Zahar glanced up from his hands at his sister, frowning.“What about your duties at home?”
Kaz sighed and walked to her brother before kneeling at his feet.She took his hands into her own trembling ones.“Zahar, brother, I am formally abdicating the throne to you.”
“What?”he whispered.
“We both know that you’re better suited to the job.It wasn’t something I ever wanted for myself, and I only get it because I was first born?”She shook her head.“That’s not right.I know you have Nyr’s best interests at heart, and you’ll make a much better ruler than I ever would.”
“Kaz, I–I don’t know what to say.”
“Do you accept?”
Zahar continued to stare at her, mouth slightly agape, as if he thought she was going to tell him she was kidding at any second.“I accept,” he finally choked out.Kaz lay her brow against her brother’s hands in a bow, and just like that, there was a new Crown Prince of Nyr.
A knock at the entrance of the tent had them all swiveling towards the entrance.Someone from Athusa’s army stood there.Emmeric didn’t recognize him.
“Sorry to interrupt, but the emperor has requested your presence at the castle.He asked for all of you.”
Chapter 73
Zane
Afteradeepsleepwrapped within Talon’s arms, Zane entered the castle for the first time as the rightful emperor of Athusa.
He walked through the hallways and corridors, nodding to the servants.They would gape at him and Talon, then bow and thank them for liberating them from the stars.The credit for that all went to Iyana, and Zane would make sure his entire empire was aware of her bravery and sacrifices.
First, he took the familiar path back to his rooms to change into something more presentable than his beaten fighting leathers and filthy tunic.He looked around the space that now felt foreign to him.How long had it been since he’d been in his own bedroom?Zane figured everyone would expect him to move to his father’s wing, but he honestly wanted nothing to do with anything his father had touched.He would find another use for the space.
Crossing the room, he opened his closet.Holygazer green—that deep forest-green color that he hated—stared back at him from inside his wardrobe.Buried in the back, Zane was able to find an all-black outfit.He tucked a formal black tunic into tight black pants and donned boots that went up to his knees.He decided to forego the crown.
When he emerged from his room, Talon was waiting for him, already changed into clean clothes.He looked Zane up and down with an appreciative glint in his eye.
“You sure you need to go do emperor things?”Talon asked.“I can think of some better activities.”
Zane’s entire body flushed, and he was sorely tempted to take Tal up on his offer.The high of surviving the battle only a day before still ran through his veins, encouraging him to seize the moment with the man he loved.But he shook off the feeling.There were much more important things to do than lose himself within Talon’s skin.
“Later,” Zane said, smiling up at him.“I promise.”
Tal ran his tongue along his upper lip.“I’m holding you to that promise, my heart.”Still, Talon backed Zane up until his back was against his door.Their chests heaved, hearts beating together quickly.Talon’s hand reached behind Zane’s neck and dragged him in for a scorching kiss.Too soon it was over and Talon was walking down the hallway with a spring in his step.
“Well, come on then, Your Majesty,” he called over his shoulder.“We’ve got important shit to do.”
Zane chuckled to himself and followed Talon.Their tour of the castle had them hitting all the main areas—the kitchens, barracks, even the servants’ quarters.Most of the council members that his father had employed were either dead, killed by the stars, or they had fled Athusia at the first sign of trouble.Which was more than fine with Zane, because he’d rather start from scratch with his own people that he trusted.Anyone who was loyal to his father was no longer fit for the position, as far as he was concerned.
