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Don’t start doubting me. I chose you today, Eren, and I meant it.

My witch, my wife, my consort. I lead her to my throne and gesture for her to sit. With only a moment’s hesitation, she complies, looking out at the court and then back at me, a question in her eyes.

I answer it for her, perching on the throne’s arm beside her and speaking again to the full court.

“My consort and I are working day and night to find a solution for the bargain, one that will keep both our realms safe and will not call on any demon to sacrifice themselves in the name of reaping.”

Courtiers’ stares move between us, wary and assessing. Allie does not fold or shy away from the inspection. She just straightens her spine, lifts her chin, and meets the eyes of every demon who would question her worth and abilities.

“In the meantime,” I continue, pride burning through me, “we will continue to help those in need. There is no greater concern for us than settling this once and for all, and no lengths we will not go to in order to see it done.”

It’s hard to determine if the words have had any effect. As the last echoes of them fade in the high, cavernous ceiling above, I look once more to my mate. She’s still sitting tall and regal, betraying nothing of what she must be feeling, but when she catches me looking at her, she glances up with a softening in her expression. It’s something private, reassuring, meant just for me.

It threatens to send me to my knees.

I’ve never felt less like a king than during these past months, never more powerless. Even now, I do not know if we’ll be able to deliver on the declarations I just made or what the consequences of failure might be, but when Allie looks at me like she is now?

I believe in our ability to conquer it all.

A male steps forward from the crowd, head bowed in a show of respect as he approaches the dais. His finely curled horns, deep brown skin and broad-shouldered frame are immediately familiar.

“Sylas,” Vayla breathes, voice shaking a little from where she’s come to stand at the foot of the dais, hand still poised on her blade as if she’d wield it to defend her queen in a moment.

The male nods to her before turning back to address Allie and me. “Your majesties. I wanted to voice my support of you both.”

Allie must have been filled in at some point about who he is, because she sucks in a sharp breath.

“Thank you,” she says, voice low but steady. “That means so much to us both.”

“I would also ask a favor of you,” he continues, a bit hesitantly. “That is… I would ask that if you are able to renew the bargain and stabilize the magick… I would ask that…”

He trails off, voice faltering.

“That we bring Emilia back?” Allie supplies gently.

He nods, looks up at us both, and for a moment I’m struck by the uncanny feeling of staring into my future. Separated from my bride, an impossible barrier between us.

“We’ll do what we can,” Allie says, a half-promise, but one I know she has every intention of keeping. “And please know that she’s cared for. Back in the human realm, she has the entire coven behind her, helping her to heal. I have a letter for you, from Emilia.”

She pulls it from her pocket and one of the stewards at the side of dais steps up to take it from her, walking down to hand it to Sylas.

The impact of Allie’s words and receiving the letter seems to undo the last of Sylas’s composure as he nods again and retreats into the crowd. Vayla takes a half-step after him before remembering herself and turning to Allie with a stricken look on her face.

“Go,” Allie says quietly.

Vayla leaves the hall, following her lover, and I lean down to speak into Allie’s ear. Some of the court have left the hall, though whether in disgust or grim acceptance I can’t say.

“You are magnificent, my queen.”

A little ripple of emotion moves through her, though she doesn’t acknowledge the comment. “I came to see if you could accompany me back to the workroom? I’ve made some progress on the grimoire.”

Nodding, I look out into the crowd and find Felix. He’s at the foot of the dais a moment later, bowing deeply to us both.

“What service can I render, majesties?”

“Keep this lot in order,” I say, gesturing to the thinning crowd. “And come find me if there’s any hint of a coup rising.”

He gives me a grim smile. “Understood.”