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“And what of the former king’s punishment?” a male adviser asked, his wrinkled face grave as he rested his hands on the table in front of him.

“Exiled imprisonment for the rest of his miserable days,” said Adrian. “And somehow finding a way to strip him of his powers. That the Earth hasn’t done it yet means he’s either grown too strong, or he’s found a way to deceive her and hide them. No doubt cloaking magic.”

I had thought that, too. That the Earth couldn’t contend with Leo. But I didn’t dare say what I was thinking now: that if the Earth wanted to take Leo’s powers, she would have already taken them. She wasn’t as naive as Adrian assumed her to be. She had given Leo more magic from the start, beyond the normal limit for someone. The same for me. And the same for Adrian, I realized. He could harness both fire and night. It was a small mercy no one had questioned his newfound powers yet. The members of the council were all but willing to be portaled home by Adrian after the Decodon attack. But it would be coming, once things calmed down. Adrian had exposed himself as a dual-wielder. They weren’t just going to let that go.

The male adviser offered an unamused laugh at Adrian’s response. “Your bloodline’s magic seems more dangerous than useful these days for the Esmereldean people.”

Adrian’s jaw ticked, but he remained passive in his response. “That is your opinion, Edward, which you are entitled to. However, I intend to prove you wrong during my reign.”

Edward sneered. “We shall see.”

My power rose to the top of my skin, angry, in response to Edward’s lack of respect for Adrian.

But Adrian slipped his hand from mine, moving his fingers to my arm, caressing gently.

The tension in my body eased at his touch, my power diving back down deep inside me.

I would need to work on training my magic. The memories of how to tame it currently absent from my life before.

A headache started to build at the thought of everything I needed to do.

Adrian leaned in to kiss my cheek, distracting me for a moment so I could catch my breath.

“And what of the Esmereldean people?” Helen asked, the adviser’s concern obvious from her rigid posture. “Rumors have begun to spread that Commander Azar has usurped the throne, and that Lady Brynlynn has been reborn.” She glanced my way with a hint of distaste. “We need to come up with a plausible reason for this. We can’t just tell the people about Leo’s army of Decodons.”

“Agreed,” said Edward. “We need to reveal his crimes while maintaining the secrecy of the realms.”

Adrian nodded. “My men and I will relocate Leo tonight, and I’ll give the order for our soldiers to prepare for the next full moon. We’ll meet again tomorrow to discuss reconnaissance of Ten and an acceptable story to tell the people.”

Around the table, everyone nodded, most of their faces solemn from the heaviness of the tasks everyone would soon face.

Adrian stood. “If that’s all for now, I adjourn this meeting.”

Everyone pushed from their chairs, speaking among themselves as I placed my hand on Adrian’s back, his corded muscles hard underneath my palm. “For someone who’s never been a king before, you’re pretty good at it.” I winked.

Adrian snorted. “Fortunately, I’ve attended enough of these meetings that it comes easily.”

“Or you were made for it,” I said, dropping my voice seductively, running my hand along his muscles. “I have to say, your authority just now has pleased your queen.”

“Is that so?” He bent his head low, so his mouth skated over the curve of my neck. “Is there anything else I can do that would please my queen?”

My eyes looked around at everyone leaving the room. Hunter and my father remained, standing off to the side, talking quietly with one another, both with a smile on their face.

I was right, my father already loved him.

I sighed. Adrian wouldn’t be able to please me in here. “Perhaps tonight I will tell you—” My chest lurched forward with such a force I fell into Adrian, who caught me quickly.

“What the hell was that?” he asked, right before I was pulled forward again, almost a foot this time, dragging Adrian with me.

Leo.

I was being summoned. Dramatically.

A simple tug would’ve sufficed.

Prick.

“Leo wants to see me.”