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“Because the council will want to argue and it’ll be months before they agree on anything.” She picked Arianna’s gloves off the floor and handed them to her sister. “Finish your chocolate and let’s get this over with. I hate processions.”

Arianna chuckled, downed her mug, and took the gloves “Okay. Let’s go.”

***

Cool spring air cleared the tension from her shoulders as Rion led her toward the throng of people. Her father had tried to request Talon escort her down the walkway, but she’d refused. She wouldn’t let Rion be cast aside. If they wanted to accept her, then they’d have to accept him as well.

She gaped at the scene before them. Her father had spared no expense. Drum beats echoed through her chest and warriors led a procession of horses, their freshly brushed coats shining in the morning light. Many pulled intricately decorated wagons filled with trinkets to serve as an offering for the royal council. More than one warrior carried Levea’s banner, the image reflecting the necklace Myrna had gifted her.

Arianna held Rion’s arm, but she didn’t feel the need to cling to him as she’d thought she might. And as soon as the masses spotted her and Rion, they erupted into applause so loud Arianna had to fight the urge to cover her ears. A blush crept to her cheeks as they chanted her name, some bouncing in excitement and many falling to one knee as they passed.

Arianna kept her chin high, waving back and smiling. Really smiling at the citizens she’d known all her life.

All the bakers. The shopkeepers. Those who’d stood guard over her family without complaint. The librarians. The cooks. Kirian’s mom. Myrna.

Arianna wished the human female was joining them, but such a journey was too difficult for someone Myrna’s age. And Arianna would never ask the female to leave her grandchildren behind. Not when every year was so precious to a human’s short life. So Arianna waved, tears pricking the corners of her eyes, and bid the female farewell.

Home. This was her home. No matter where she ended up or where life took her, Levea would always be her place of refuge. A safe haven if life got too rough.

The walk lasted forever and not long enough. She turned to find her mate smiling down at her, proud in a way she was certain only mates could be.

She approached the open door of a large carriage. One of seven. Once she stepped inside, she’d be headed to a new world. A new home. But the people who mattered were with her. Her friends. Her family. They could face anything as long as they were together.

“Ready?” Rion asked.

She bit the inside of her cheek, loosed an excited breath, then took his outstretched hand.

As long as she had them, she could conquer the world.

Chapter Fifteen

Raevina

Sweat rolled down her the sides of her face, dripping to the stone floor beside her brown leather boots. Raevina slowed her breathing, the racing of her pulse, then spun into another series of pivots and thrusts.

She’d woken early, unable to sleep from her newfound excitement. Plans were in motion. In less than a year, she could be crowned High Lady of Fiadh with her father left as nothing more than a cold corpse in the ground. If she buried him at all. The crows had to eat, too.

Raevina rolled her shoulders then joined her second, Cahira, in hand-to-hand combat. The females were an almost perfect match as they clashed with one another in a test of strength and will. But Raevina had always been a touch faster, able to feign just enough to get around Cahira’s defenses.

Cahira cursed and fell on her backside. Raevina smiled in triumph but only for a moment before extending her hand. She wasn’t her father. She wouldn’t degrade those she trusted with her life. And she trusted Cahira with so much more.

The two clasped arms, a promise between sisters. Not born of blood but forged with steel. Their day to rule was coming. All they needed was a little patience. Raevina would fulfill her father’s wishes and kill the false Divine, then return and sit at his table. She’d learn his plans and earn the favor of his warriors.

Then she’d put a knife in his throat. Or his back. He’d never been one for honorable fighting methods so she wasn’t about to let pride get in her way of destroying him.

Raevina shook her braids from her shoulders and took a long drink from her water canteen. Ridding Fiadh of her father was only the beginning. Once she battled his secrets and weeded out the disloyal, Raevina needed to deal with the monsters that had bred out of control. If she—

A piercing scream echoed from the cavern’s top floor and Raevina’s head shot toward the sound far above. Those surrounding her froze. Waiting.

The scream echoed again, bouncing off the rock walls and Raevina’s shifted with a quick flash of light. Her body shrank and she sprouted blue-gray wings that catapulted her through the air. The wind glided down her spotted brown chest and she tilted her tail, weaving between others already airborne.

Raevina pumped her wings hard and let a shrill cry fill the massive cavern telling whoever needed to know that she was on her way.

At the top, she spotted five adults and two younglings. Raevina shifted back to her Fae form and landed before them, searching their grave faces for clues.

“What’s going on?”

Raevina recognized the youngling that stepped forward. Ty. A male who had just celebrated his ninth birthday. Her gaze ran over the adults’ faces, two civilians, three warriors. “T-The Chimera.” Her blood chilled. “They took Axel.” His voice broke and tears streamed down his young face.