“Not our planes,” I blurted.
He flinched but then frowned, and seconds laterragefilled his face and surrounded him. “Something is wrong with your planes? Is that what happened to your parents? Was it on purpose? Did—”
“We don’t know, and I can’t tell you what we do know yet,” I muttered. “It looks like neglect, but… The planes and runway aren’t safe.” I nodded when he swore under his breath.
He pulled me into his arms and kissed my hair. “Okay, but now I don’t want to leave you here without more protection, and—too many of your guards are loyal to the elders.”
“Darren is sending someone and hopefully whoever this investigator I can get will help.” I didn’t realize how much I needed the hug until my arms were around him without making the conscious decision.
“I’m so sorry, Sagan,” he whispered while rubbing my back. “I’m so sorry you’re suffering through all of this and have so many snakes around you. I’m sorry.”
“Thanks.” I wasn’t sure what else to say, but I did truly appreciate the comfort. I cleared my throat after another couple of minutes and pulled away. “I have to go handle what comes next.”
“Go. Go be fabulous like you always are.” He cleared his throat and quickly kissed my cheek. “I’ll go pack and be ready. Have someone tell me where to go—whatever.”
I suddenly felt shy like I was sending my significant other off on an errand instead of someone qualified and we would want to send in this situation. “Thanks, Onyx.”
“Keep me updated?” he asked when I moved away. “Just if you’re okay. Please?”
My cheeks flushed again and I nodded before quickly walking off and making the call I needed to.
It was a bit worrisome when the King of Protesia was quiet and didn’t say much while I told him my idea. Then the silence dragged out more than was actually polite and I swallowed the urge to make sure he was still on the line.
“You are going to make a fine queen, and I don’t care if that is something I shouldn’t say,” he finally replied. “I’m sorry for you and how it happened, but you are bolder and smarter than your father. He worried too much about perceptions.”
“I would think that’s easy to say from the outside, and there are many instances he went against what people thought or wanted. How he handled our recession one of them.”
He chuckled, which threw me off. “No matter your relationship, I just heard a daughter defending her parent’s legacy, not ruler to ruler. And you’re right,butI told him many times that his elders were bigger snakes than he knew. He was—it matters not now. I know why you called with an offer and you’re very smart for that.”
“It seemed the right time to make the suggestion,” I commented without trying to imply anything good or bad.
“This is the rare time I would have helped and not required anythingnorbeen my normal sneaky self as is a tiger’s nature.” He chuckled again when I didn’t say anything and waited forhim to go on. “You have your father’s patience and it’s irksome, but it will serve you well.”
“Thank you.” I wasn’t sure what else there was to say.
“I want you alive. The elders are a threat to your safety, and even little whispers have reached my ears that your house is so badly out of order that it’s ridiculous. That’s dangerous for not just you, but all royals.”
“I cannot deny there have been problems, but you don’t show all the cards up your sleeve as a member of the royal family and you cannot think I do either.”
“Touché. Glad to hear it. But I meant what I said, and I would have helped this time without the offer of Onyx Conley’s help.”
“But you’ll still take it,” I said, trying to keep the amusement out of my tone.
“I’m not stupid either.” He cleared his throat. “But while I know he will report his findings and how bad this last incident was, I hope my sending several candidates for you to pick from makes it clear…”
“It won’t go any further unless it’s something dangerous to my people,” I promised. “I believe you’re what is best for Protesia as well even if I agree with my father that you’re a hothead who demands too much publicly and that makes it difficult for us to change our relationship to be friends. Our nation is larger and with more resources and people.
“We can never be perceived as bowing. Ever. You might see it as worrying too much about perception, but perceptions keep people safe—keep Thovudin out of wars while you have had some in the past hundred years. We have not. I will keep to that in my rule. That doesn’t mean I won’t take out any threat to my people, but there won’t be a war.”
He was annoyingly silent again. “I heard whispers you’ve shown the Alphas you are not one to be underestimated, and Iwill not make the mistake others cause and take your words at face value. Also, it’s nice to know your father felt I was best for Protesia even if I don’t like the rest. He’s not wrong, but—it’s never easy to be told no when your people are suffering.”
“You’re not wrong either, but—I wasn’t in on the calls or in the room, but I heard from his lips that he would have sent someone quietly, but you wanted the win more than the help.” I couldn’t hide my reaction when he started cursing and was glad that he couldn’t see me.
“That was not how I felt, and I’m furious that was what was conveyed to Rhys. Apparently, I have a few issues in my own house to clean up as well because I wanted it clear I would make thepraisepublic later, not the—sometimes we men are all fools. Thank you for being a queen and cutting through the testosterone. Truly. I will send my best and help.”
I decided in this moment to trust him. “When your people aren’t allowed to land directly at the castle, don’t take offense, and please don’t make an issue of it. You’ll learn more later.”
He cursed again. “Corruption or intentional?”
