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She masked her pain, and he had to clench his fists to stop from reaching out towards her. He would never cut her power in front of his people. They needed to believe she was as strong as she’d shown herself to be on the mountainside of Barros’ hideout, even if their rule was to be short.

“In exchange, the Thunder pledges you our loyalty, our respect. I introduce you, from this day forth, as Rowan Dahl of the Draconian Thunder!” Stone roared, raising the crown high above his head as if to show it off to all those gathered.

Deafening roars ripped from his elemental generals. The roars of the Thunder topped the feverish tempo of the stomps joining in.

An unexpected wave of their faith washed over Alessandro, startling him.

Rowan Dahl had made an impression on his people. He wondered how much he had missed from the rumor mills as their prayers of gratitude passed through his ear. It was overwhelming.

Overhead, lightning ripped across the sky, bright and white with thunder that rattled his teeth.

Alessandro glanced at the direction the spell had emerged from and Lucifer discretely flipped him off.

His attention returned to Rowan, who bowed her head as Stone lowered the crown.

As it settled, through the continuing roars and cheers, Rowan unfurled to her full height, bearing the weight like a natural.

The generals each fell to one knee before her.

It surprised Alessandro as the entire stadium rose and silence reigned as the Thunder genuflected.

It wasn’t a requirement or a custom of coronation, but a gift.

He stood once more and tucked her into his side.

“ Rise.” His command gonged through the coliseum.

He took a beat to examine the faces that rose. There was still disappointment sown in here and there, but overall, the acceptance of an elven-succubus as their queen was unequivocal.

“The last couple of weeks have tested us as a people.” He began, “But more than I could have ever hoped, I know you will be ready for the next test. Beginning today, I will begin taking a step away from my duties as your king.”

Hisses of shock and mumblings began immediately.

He raised his hand to bring back the silence.

“As I step away, Stone of the Draconian Thunder will ease into the role he has been preparing for over a decade. I was what you needed in the beginning days, but times have changed and to continue our prosperity, it is necessary that we change with them. I implore you to give him the support you’ve given me during my reign. ”

Chapter 30

Rowan wasn’t sure what the consensus of the dragons had been after Alessandro’s announcement.

The unity that they’d shown in her crowning had crumbled into confusion.

She wasn’t sure how to react until the sight of a familiar woman caught her attention and made her back straighten with anxiety.

There was a certain built-in hazard of being any percentage of succubus that created friction between a succubus and a monogamous partner’s loved ones.

While Rowan had never faced it herself, she’d been part of Axel’s countless recoveries from the backlash when her truth came out. Her dedication to being her sister’s emotional support buddy in those cases was the true origin of her addiction to cheesecake and ice cream.

Terra and a couple of other Earth Dragons were finishing the touches on concrete slabs being floated out to make a makeshift dance floor, while Naseem and other air dragons floated tables and chairs to box in the space.

Rowan had been counting on the Earth General to be her second grounding point for this introduction, but it seemed she would have to rely solely on Alessandro.

Alessandro, who looked to be as at ease as a man who’d retired from 50 years in an office job rather than a king who had just upset the whole balance of his kingdom within a short 10 second speech.

“You’re more nervous about this than taking the crown?” Alessandro teased as he took her hand in his.

Rowan scowled, “Well, you already know my family, and get along with most of them.”

He scoffed, “Are you attempting to make how we get along with each other’s family a competition, little elf?”

Some of the apprehension melted at the soft teasing and she grinned. “Just who do you think you took on as a mate?”

He returned her smile and tipped his head to the group who had grown larger the closer they got.

Anya, as warm in real life as in Alessandro’s memories, had her in her arms before Rowan could curtsy.

The new queen consort returned the hug with just as much warmth, her face perfectly cradled on Anya’s ample chest. She felt as if she’d known the woman her entire life from the visions Alessandro had shared. Rowan wondered if Anya felt just as connected to her as she did.

When Rowan pulled away, there was nothing but relief in the earth-dragon’s eyes.

“Of course, we’d seen pictures of you, but I just couldn’t believe it.

” The eldest of the three women that had followed Anya gasped, breaking the moment as she fluttered around Rowan, examining Rowan’s wings more closely.

“Look at this lovely sheen. What do you use? My wing girl has me on a salmon diet that’s been killing my love for sea creatures. ”

“I heard that you and that no-good brat Stone went to Spellcasters together? Were you ever a thing? You kind of look like his type. Of course, the boy doesn’t really have control once a pretty girl looks his way.

You’d think he doesn’t know that he’s out of the ugly duckling stage from how he reacts to a little flirting.

” Said the middle, both more quickly and more unintelligible.

This earned the woman a growl of warning from Alessandro, who stood behind Rowan like a looming shadow.

“My goodness, you look just like your father.” The youngest one spoke, attempting to break the tension, “‘Cept the wings and tails and horns. Must come from your mom’s side.”

“Ladies, ladies, where are your manners?” Anya asked, shooing them back. “I’m so sorry dear, my cousins are just excited to meet you.”

Rowan smiled. “To be fair, I’d be curious as well.

To answer a few of your questions: I am on a strict multivitamin regiment as recommended by my eldest sister who is an amazing doctor and moonlights as an esthetician.

I went to school with Stone. We were not a thing, though I always thought he always looked too long at my bestie.

She’s a total smoke show, right over there in the blood red dress.

And the succubus is a gift from my mother and our ancestors. ”

This only encouraged an explosion of more questions from the women, and Alessandro let out a tendril of his power to cow them back in line.

“These are my aunties.” He gestured to each.

“Vera, Oksana and Galina.” He pointed to the others behind him, “These are Galina’s children, Alana.

” Alana was a pretty brunette with catlike hazel eyes that told Rowan the girl wished she could be anywhere else in the world.

“And Helios.” Helios was handsome, with sharp facial features.

His hair, while cut short, was as curly and dark as any of his family.

His lean frame reminded her of a professional swimmer.

He was carrying a dozing five-year-old half-dragon in his arms. The child had his blue hair picked out into a small afro, dressed in an all white linen two-piece suit. “His son, Ciel and mate, Opal.”

Opal was a harpy, she had white plumage that trailed behind her and over massive thighs that narrowed into scaled legs and clawed feet. Her ice blue hair was up in a tight bun, neat and away from her no-nonsense face of sharp angles. Her eyes were bright as they took Rowan in.

She was on the defensive, ready to lash out if Rowan took a wrong step.

“I heard you were the only one in the Thunder that could relate to my position as an outsider taking a dragon mate.”

Surprise widened Opal’s eyes. “Y-Yes.”

“Would it be okay to have you over for lunch at some point so we could talk?”

The words seemed to create tension in Galina that Rowan hadn’t expected. Opal caught it and narrowed her eyes, irritation clear.

“I would love to.” She answered, eyes unwavering from the woman.

Alessandro pulled Rowan back seconds before the two women were at each other’s throats.

Feathers and hair flew in every direction as the two moved at speeds Rowan found impressive, considering they wore layers of jewelry and dragon garb that threatened the occurrence of a serious wardrobe malfunction.

Terra shot Phineas a look. “You said you took care of it.”

“If you recall, I said she wouldn’t disrupt the ceremony. The ceremony is over.” He grimaced.

Helios sighed and held his child up to Alessandro, who took him without a second of hesitation. Rowan noted that her mate was so large the sleeping child could fit into the crook of one arm.

Phineas cursed as he and Helios reached in to tear the two women apart while hoots and whistles egged them on.

“That wasn’t my fault, was it?” Rowan asked.

They took another step back as the fight fanned out to include bystanders who had their own grievances against each other.

“No.” He scowled. “This happens every time they see each other.”

“Should you stop it?”

“I don’t get involved in the affairs of in-family power struggles.”

“Even your own?” She raised an eyebrow.

He hesitated, “I’m not blood.”

“Enough!” Anya’s snarl preceded the emergence of two vines that snapped through the tiles and slapped the two women down to the ground, “It is my son’s special day and you dare disrespect him by fighting over this ongoing petty dispute?”

“You bitch!” Galina screeched and from the buffet tables off to the side, fruits came flying, aimed at Anya’s head.

Alessandro’s reflexes saved Rowan from a stray orange, and the fight exploded to include Anya.

Irritation swelled in Rowan and she tried to tamp it down, but as her own family approached and she saw an apple hit her father, she’d had enough.