“We’ve taken another vote.”
Oh goody! This she couldn’t wait to hear. “Another tie?”
“No. We decided to stop voting on our own council members…or any of Meara’s sons.”
That should make her happy, and yet his tone made her stomach shrink.
“Our newest vote was unanimous.”
Gisela had to keep herself from wincing as she dreaded his words. “Please tell me it wasn’t for my mother to return to power.”
The general laughed at her dead tone. “It wasn’t for Meara or the princes who have all been found guilty of treason. Rather, we’ve chosen the best creature for the job. The one who has led us this past month without the drama, fear, threats, or any of the chaos of Meara’s reign.”
Even though she heard those words, she couldn’t quite fathom them.
Confused, she glanced to Xaydin who watched her with an amused quirk to his lips. “Do they understand that I’m not a full centaur?”
“Neither was Meara nor her father before her.”
“You didn’t know that at the time,” she reminded him.
“True, my queen. Very true. But you’ve shown yourself to be all we could dream of in a monarch. You’ve been honest and kind…most of all, you don’t crave power. Again, it was unanimous. Once your name entered the vote, all were in agreement. You, alone, have the full support of the council.”
Xaydin couldn’t be prouder for Gisela, who locked gazes with him.
“I won’t do this alone. Do they understand that I will come to them with a foreign prince at my side? I will not forsake him for another. Not even my country.” Especially since she’d never wanted a crown.
“Your terms are acceptable to us. We await your decision on the matter.” And with that, he took his leave.
Xaydin smiled at her as she resumed her human body. “Queen Gisela of Thassalia. I love the sound of that.”
She arched a brow at his giddiness. “You’ll be King Xaydin.”
Laughing, he shook his head. “They didn’t vote for me, love. I’ll be Prince Xaydin, consort to the queen. That throne is yours, not mine. And if you accept, one day it’ll belong to our son or daughter.”
Gisela felt a lightness in her heart at his words. She had yet to tell him that she was expecting. Did he know or was he merely guessing?
And how could she say no? Really?
Xaydin was still being hunted by his brother, but if she took the throne being offered, they wouldn’t have to run. Xaydin and their child would be safe from the troll king.
Forever.
While she’d never wanted to rule, this was the best outcome for them all.
Especially the baby growing inside her.
“I will assume the throne, but only on one condition.”
“That is?” Xaydin asked.
“You will have to marry me before the coronation.”
He laughed at her request. “I’ve already told you that. I will marry you whenever you wish and however you want.”
True. He’d said it many times, but she’d kept delaying in case he changed his mind and wanted to leave. She couldn’t blame him for it.
He hated being trapped. Nothing was a bigger noose than a crown.
