Page 287

“Because you will need an heir, Azrael,” she answered quietly, fixing her gaze on Thorne. She had thought about this far more than would have liked. “I cannot give you that.”

A thumb and forefinger gripped her chin, turning her face back to his. “I understand that if we ever had a child, they could not rule the Earth Court as a demi-Fae. Do you want a child, Talwyn?”

Gods. She couldn’t even fathom that. The idea of motherhood had never been one she had ever truly contemplated. She wasn’t sure it was something she ever wanted.

“I can scarcely manage myself right now, Az, let alone a child,” she answered truthfully. “But what of your people? Your Court? You will leave them heirless?”

“No,” he countered, stepping so close there was no space between them. “We will learn who the successor will be and train them to rule the Court properly. The Earth Court will have an heir worthy of them, and you, Talwyn Semiria, will have all my love.”

This, she realized as she looked up into earthy brown eyes. This was all she had ever wanted. Not a throne or some vengeance she thought she was owed, but something she didn’t need to fix. To never doubt someone who said those words to her. Someone who wanted her just because she was breathing.

All she’d ever wanted was this.

Talwyn pushed up onto her toes so her lips brushed across his. She reached out to touch Thorne as she murmured, “Let’s go home.”

Chapter51

Eliza

“Icannot believe you said that in that meeting,” Eliza said, throwing a ball of flames at Sorin.

He laughed as he caught it, the flame going out in his fist. “But you wear a crown so well, Eliza, dear,” he replied with a wink, a crown of flame appearing above her head.

“I swear to Anala, Sorin, if you do not take back your title,” she grumbled, crossing her arms and glaring at him as she immediately put out the crown of fire.

The prick could have taken the title back days ago, before this war had even ended. But no. He kept coming up with reasons to wait, but now everything was over. Things were settling down. He could take it back right now, for fuck’s sake. They were just standing around, waiting for Razik to come back and let them know Cethin was ready for the Wards to come down. He’d gone back to Avonleya with Cethin and Kailia two days ago.

“You don’t enjoy having all that power even just a little bit?” Cyrus asked from where he sat on a sofa with Cassius.

“I am more powerful than you either way, Cyrus. I don’t need a godsdamn crown for it.”

Cyrus huffed a laugh. “Admit it though. You sat on the throne, even if only for a moment.”

“No, I did not.”

“Do you think something is wrong?” she heard Scarlett ask, and she shifted her attention to her friend.

Scarlett had been quiet since the meeting with the other royals. She’d rested for a few days like the rest of them. Sorin had said Scarlett had slept for nearly three days straight. The moment she had woken though, she’d thrown herself head first into rebuilding tasks. She was constantly Traveling to the mortal lands or the other Courts.

Quite simply, Scarlett needed a break, and worrying over her brother now was not helping matters.

Sorin reached out, tugging her into him. “Everything is fine, Love,” he replied, guiding her head to his chest. “Are you sure you are up for taking down the Wards today? It will be draining on you.”

“Yes,” Scarlett sighed. “It needs to happen sooner than later. I’m sick of giving my blood to everyone and constantly traveling through mirror gates. Plus, the mortal coronations start tomorrow. Cethin should be here for those. Unity and all that.”

Sorin dropped a kiss to the top of her head, and Eliza shifted impatiently.

“You appear restless, your Highness,” Cyrus quipped.

Eliza was ready to lunge at him when Razik appeared in the den. Sapphire eyes instantly found her, and his brow furrowed. “Why do you look like that?”

She dragged incredulous eyes to him. “Look like what?”

“Like you are about to become excessively violent.”

“The Fire Princess is agitated,” Cyrus called out, stretching his long legs and interlocking his hands behind his head. “But since you’re here… She sat on the throne, didn’t she?”

The crease between Razik’s brows deepened. “I don’t think I would consider it sitting.”