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“I had a tiring day as well,” he says as he pulls trousers on.

My hand clenches into a fist for a breath before I relax it to grasp my hairbrush. “How did you get past my shield?” I do my best to sound carefree as I pull the brush through my hair, as if this is a typical chat and not something that terrified me on several levels.

“I cut through it.”

I freeze. “What?”

Ever so gently, he takes the brush from my hand and takes over the task. “The dagger. It pierced a shield once, so I tried it again.”

“You knew the dagger did that?”

“Yes. You’re a terrible liar.” He continues brushing my hair, a small way to make good on his promise to take care of me.

“I don’t know if I should be concerned about that dagger or you having some power we are unaware of.”

“Your magic has thwarted your commands in favor of your subconscious needs before.” He shrugs. “We can further examine the dagger if you wish, but perhaps you could refrain from putting me behind a wall again?”

My shoulders and chin drop. “I needed to know you were safe.” The soothing feel of my hair being brushed stops.

He turns me toward him and kneels before me. “I’ll not stand by and watch as you take on the world. I’m going to be by your side.”

I press my lips together. “But you’re my greatest weakness. I only lose control of my power with you.”

The moment the words leave me, I worry I’ve offended him, but one side of his mouth tips up in a smirk. “You’re usually so intelligent.”

I cross my arms with a huff. Obviously, acknowledging our love will not stop him from teasing me ruthlessly. “Perhaps you thwart my power and make me stupid.”

“I’m not capable of either.” He kisses me softly, but I keep my frown in place, which amuses him. “I make you stronger, you ridiculous woman. Or have you forgotten that it was with me that you came into your full power?”

I open my mouth, but my retort is lost before I can form it.

“Hurry up.” Tomas pulls his shirt on. “We are keeping everyone waiting.”

Someday, it will be commonplace for us to get ready together, but right now it’s a delight. Just like how I’ve come to appreciate all the ways Tomas and I need each other for more than physical pleasure, the idea of all our routines happening together feels both exciting and peaceful.

He leaves ahead of me in an attempt to mask the reason for our tardiness, and I take one last look at my reflection before making my way down. It’s hard to imagine that the girl in the mirror can rule a kingdom, but others see it. Perhaps I’ll come to as well.

When my feet reach the floor at the bottom of the stairs, I’m nearly startled back up into the air. Grandmother’s demure smile gives away nothing, but I hope Tomas took a different way down. There are some things I don’t need my grandmother to know.

“Arabella, dear, it seems I must corner you if I’m ever to have an audience, and you aren’t even queen yet.”

“I’m terribly sorry. I’ve been so very busy with all the madness going on.”

“Of course you have.” She loops her arm through mine, and we make our way to the lounge. “And avoiding me between it all.”

“I have not been avoiding you.”

“Sweetheart, I’ve been in this world too long not to recognize such things.” Her hand is warm when we stop at the door, and she wraps it around mine. “You didn’t want my advice on becoming a queen consort, and I won’t presume to give you any about being sovereign, though I’ve given your mother and grandfather enough. It’s probably of more importance now that you’re coming into a position you never expected.” She squeezes my hand. “Don’t suppose that since Rylan was born first he was meant to rule. We are all born the same—helpless, noisy little things. Despite birth being the primary, if not sole, condition to be crowned, I do not believe anyone is truly born to rule. We are born to grow into whomsoever we are meant to be, and you, dear, have grown into a young woman who will do great things.”

My eyes prickle, but she guides me in before I can respond. Though Mother selected a casual location, this discussion will be anything but. In the lounge sit my parents, grandparents, and siblings, alongside the four Coyles. Where Tomas’ presence used to put me on edge, he now brings me comfort. Security is a satisfying new feeling.

Jo comes to greet me with an embrace. “That was terrifying. How are you feeling?”

“I’m well.” I would swear my expression gives nothing away, but Jo sighs and rolls her eyes. She knows me too well. And now we’re to be sisters. We walk arm in arm to sit with our families.

Mother clears her throat. “Thank you all for being here. Today was trying for all of us, but there are points on which we all need to be clear. Firstly, though the trial was not completed in the way we planned, a trial was certainly had. Arabella displayed everything and more we could ask for and will be crowned heir.”

My eyes meet Rylan’s. I don’t think he’s breathing, but he dips his chin toward me. Mother must have told him already. Of course, she’d have to. I’m surprised I didn’t feel the palace tremor. Or perhaps if the timing was right, I wouldn’t have noticed…