“Be. Quiet.” When he gave me a sharp nod, I returned my attention to my father.
“The people that abandoned me now dare to make demands of me?”
Dad blinked, a furrow appearing between his brows. “Evie, you are the queen?—”
If I heard that one more time, I was going to set something on fire. “I am fully aware of what I am and what I am not. I am also fully aware of what you made me to be and know you are the reason I currently wear the fae crown. Under duress, by the way. And I know that you did not answer my question.”
My father’s eyes narrowed. “There is required decorum, a set precedent of past kings. I was reminded so earlier today by a few well-meaning friends.”
I snorted. “Well-meaning. I can see how you might say that since every single fae I’ve met so far has been nothing butwell-meaningto me.”
“You’re angry.” The words were a flat declaration.
“You seem to be under the impression I should roll over and do what they want. You think I should abandon Rowan and take some poor fae male who, by the way, would not know how to deal with me, nor would he want to, as my husband.”
“You’d be surprised by who would want to deal with you,” Dad said under his breath.
I bared my teeth. “That is not the point. I might be the fae queen, but there is no law on who I take to my bed or mate with, correct?”
Dad’s jaw tightened. “There is no law, only an expectation?—”
“I do not give a shit about expectations!” I rose from the seat and paced back and forth. “I am happy for the first time in my entire life. Truly happy. Things will never be perfect. That’s not how life works. But they are good. I love Rowan.”
Rowan’s irises glowed at my declaration.
“I plan to finish the bond. Not today, maybe not even tomorrow, but soon. And that is not all.”
Rowan blinked. He tilted his head, an animalistic gesture, all his focus on me.
“A fae bond forms between us.”
Rowan sucked in a shocked breath, surprised at my admission to my father.
“I am not inclined to deny it.” I met Rowan’s gaze. “If Rowan allows it, I plan to bond with him in both ways—the animals and fae sides of my nature. If he will have me.”
Rowan blinked several times. “I’ve felt the tug for a while now and couldn’t figure out what it was,” he said hoarsely.
Dad’s face took on a contemplative look. “You’d shun your people over this?”
I leaned against the counter and crossed my arms. “They are my people in blood only. The only fae who’ve ever stepped in to assist me with anything have been you and Mom, and that was only recently. As far as I’m concerned, they can take their opinions on who I choose to love and shove them right where the sun don’t shine.”
Dad looked at Rowan. “And you?”
Rowan chuckled. “Would you let someone like her walk away from you?”
His words seemed to be the right answer. Dad dipped his head. “Unfortunately, I have, and I regret the decision every single day.”
“Don’t make me choose,” I said quietly. “You know how it will go, and I will never look at you the same. This is not up for debate. I will not allow people to choose how they feel I should be happy. That’s forced servitude. If I am to be their queen, I will make my own decisions on this matter. As they should make those decisions for themselves.”
Dad’s eyes began swirling again. “Is this your final answer?”
“It’s always been my final answer. When are you going to stop asking the question?”
Dad’s lips twitched. He rose and held out his hand. “Come. Both of you.”
I let him lead me outside, Rowan following behind. Dad led us to the middle of the Keep, close to where we trained. He stopped and let go of my hand. “Rowan, will you briefly drop your wards?”
“Why?” Rowan’s tone wasn’t angry, more curious than anything.
