“With all due respect,” I say, “Killian is unlike any threat you’ve faced before. He has access to my magic. You’ve experienced for yourself that he can access our pack communications. Alistair Brightbane, an ancient and unknowably powerful Siphon, is inhabiting his body. And, as you know, this is personal for me. I need to do this myself. Moreover, youneedme—I’m the only one whose powers might match his own.”
“With all due respect,” Siegrid throws back at me, “Your Highness, we are dealing with a single Siphon, not an army. I have been fighting Siphons since before you were born, and you have been a queen for less than a week. You have not even been Bonded for half a year.”
“You are underestimating him, and it’s a mistake,” I shoot back.
“You are wrong, as you know very little about war,” she seethes. “And at this moment in time, you have one job and one job alone—attending your own coronation and officially being named queen of Nocturna. If you fail at something as simple as that, you do not deserve the title.”
Her words hit me like a slap and leave me stinging.
The entire table is silent as we glare at each other.
“Your Highness,” Alpha Tormun says with significantly less condescension, finally breaking the standstill. “I’ll get the job done.” His smile is warm as he lifts his massive, tattooed arms and flexes above the table. “I’ve killed more Siphons than nearly any Bonded warrior in history.”
Stark lets out a small scoff, and I get the sense this is an accolade he and Tormun argue over.
Tormun seems kind, but he’s backing Siegrid. Dismissing my concerns. Dismissingme.
The shadows around the room start to stir, and I watch Siegrid notice it in her periphery. Her lips thin.
Theonlything I’ve ever been good at is taking action. Being left behind is wretched.
Is this how it’s going to be from now on? Am I to become a figurehead? Sequestered away in the palace, taking direction from my Sovereign Alpha?
“There is a time and a place for you to be involved,” Siegrid says, her voice gentler, trying to coax me into a calmer place. I know what she’s doing; she wants to avoid an uncontrollable explosion of my power. “But it cannot happen until after you’re crowned.”
Taking a deep breath, I tap into some of those Strategos instincts. Use my ability tothinkinstead of my ability toreact.
I don’t want to give in so easily. He’smine. I won’t rest easy until I know how red his blood can run.
But I’m their queen. I don’t have to accept this without concessions.
“Very well.” I keep my spine straight and my head high. “I defer to your expertise, Sovereign Alpha. However, I know Killian and his abilities the best out of everyone, so I will brief Alpha Tormun before he departs. And I would like him brought here so I can execute him myself.”
Siegrid accepts with a slight nod of approval.
Compromise. What a beautiful thing.
“Moving on,” Siegrid says firmly. “Preparations will begin immediately for your impending coronation. I propose it takes place in three weeks’ time.”
I try not to drop my fork in surprise. That seems awfully fast, although I’m sure the sooner we lay claim, the better. “Three weeks? Can we… do that?”
Siegrid straightens, as if offended that I would question her ability to do anything. “Obviously.”
“Okay, then. Let’s get coronating!” My joking tone falls flat with this crowd. I clear my throat and then gesture to Izabel, who lives for this shit. “I’d like Izabel to be involved with the planning.”
Her grin spreads ear to ear, and I instantly wonder if I’ll regret this choice. “Yes,please. Put me to work, Sovereign Alpha!”
Siegrid shrugs. “Fine.” Her eyes slide over to Venna. “You too?”
Venna’s mouth turns down, and she narrows her eyes. “I’ll pass.”
“Venna is busy with other tasks,” I add. Like finding out how to get this stupid fucking shackle off my wrist so my magic is no longer manipulated.
“The Mother Priestess from the Sect of the Faceless Goddess has traveled with us here to Sturmfrost,” Siegrid continues. “You will need to meet with her once or twice before the ceremony to prepare. She’s staying with the order in the commoner side of the city, but she’ll come to the castle for your meetings.”
I nod. “Anything else we need to prepare for?”
“The nobles. The coronation cannot happen without the majority of them in attendance. After all, if no one attends the ceremony, is it even legitimate? As mentioned, Noemi will travel to the seven fiefdoms over the next three weeks and secure noble attendance. Since she is one of them herself, the nobles should accept her overtures.”
