Raiden stands at my side on the dais. His hand around the back of my neck is stabilizing, and I lean into the comfort as I face the people.Ourpeople.
“You have all proven yourselves worthy assets to our cause,” he starts. “So it’s time for us to be transparent about things I’m not sure everyone in this room is aware of.”
“First, Arina is my mate. I think that’s fairly obvious, and I would hope it doesn’t come as a surprise to most of you—"
Phil lets out a whistle that turns my cheeks hot, and I give her a dirty look when the room turns their attention her way.
“Oh, come on! We deserve something to get excited about. Let me have this,” she says, and I roll my eyes, then look to Raiden apologetically.
He clears his throat. “And second, I know you’ve heard the rumors. I want to say it to your face so there is no question. I am the lost prince of Lukasia.” A collective gasp echoes off the walls, but Raiden continues, “The woman sitting on the throne is not my mother, but the demon-goddess, Invidia. I’m sorry to havekept this from you all for so long, but there was much to work through to get us to this point.”
Murmurs fill the air, but Baltas’ booming laugh drowns them out. “Thank the gods! That’s one secret I'm glad to be unburdened from!”
The giant fae walks up to the dias, and puts a strong hand on his friend’s shoulder, then he drops to a knee. And one by one, the room follows until everyone is on their knees before us.
Tears prick my eyes at the sight of Lavinia and Phillipa bowing at the front of the crowd. Never in this lifetime did I believe I'd be sitting on a throne in the Underground, about to lead the Rhiza against the queen I thought I loved, with my mate by my side.
Shock pulses through me, because even Shreya has dropped to a low bow, acknowledging the two of us as leaders in this rebellion.
I don’t know if Eryk is here for honorable reasons or not, but he, too, is on his knees.
Raiden pulls me to my feet, and wraps me in his arms. I commit the feeling of pride to memory, and for once in my life, I feel in my soul that I am where I belong, and I am not afraid of what’s to come.
Everything we have done, and everything we are about to do, cannot take away the suffering, heartache, or death, but we can bring hope and life back to Lukasia, and that’s all I’ve ever wanted.
Later, alone in our room, we return to the topic of my dagger.
“If she kills you, you won’t be able to heal her, Arina. You are my priority. Not just because you can give me back my mother, but because—aside from my kingdom—you are the only thing I have ever allowed myself to want. Don’t take that from me before I even get the chance to enjoy it fully,” Raiden explains, and my heart bursts
As much as I understand his argument, I can't let him do this alone. “I need you to have faith in me. I can do this.”
“Before you. Before I knew you were my mate. I thought maybe the parts of me that were capable of caring had died. I didn’t realize just how much of me I had lost until you. Not just because you are my mate, but because you are everything I never knew I could desire. The fates presented me with such an unbelievable gift. You’ll forgive me if I’m determined to hold onto it for as long as I can, won’t you?”
Before I can answer, the door swings open, and Lavinia pops her head in.
“Am I interrupting something?”
“Of course not! Come in.” I wave her over, patting the bed so she’ll sit next to me.
“I just didn't get a chance to tell you how incredible you looked on that throne today, and I wanted to tell you both how proud I am to be your friend.” She grabs both mine and Raiden’s hands, and there is so much love in her eyes I think I’ll burst.
“Okay, enough of that!” I wave my hand at my face to stop the tears. “I don't know what it is about the two of you, but I’ve cried more since we met than I ever did before.”
Raiden hugs Lavinia and whispers into the top of her head, “Are you sure that’s all you needed?”
She just nods her head, her brown waves bouncing with the movement, and skips to the door.
“Goodnight!” she sings before latching the door.
Raiden’s fingers weave through my hair, and he turns my face to his. “Now, where were we?”
“I believe you were confessing your undying love,” I tease, and he kisses me soundly to shut me up.
Raiden
“What are we doing?” Eryk whispers, even though I had told him to keep his mouth shut.
Arina had asked me to let him stay with her, citing his knowledge of the castle as an asset we required. But there was no chance I was leaving him there. No fucking chance.
