Sagan
My weekly interview with June was later than normal, her network deciding not to have it air on Sundays when most people were busy.
Apparently, my “tantrum” the week before—as too many called it—shot the ratings up but mostly on YouTube and later, so they wanted the…
I didn’t know how television all worked. Primer time of Monday night?
Plus, it was easier since we had to review it first. That, I more than understood.
“How are you?” June asked with genuine concern in her voice.
“I’m fine,” I answered, snickering when she rolled her eyes. “I’m the Queen of Thovudin, June, I’m not allowed to be anything else.”
“You’re a person too,” she argued.
I swallowed a sigh, hating to discuss this, but as much as people blasted me for anything I said, these interviews and the exposure were actually helping people’s opinions of me. Slowly—mind-numbingly slowly, but… It was helping.
“I’m grateful to the dedicated work of my security that they put the pieces together before something much, much worse happened,” I told her.
“I’m relieved that Sunborough’s Alpha and his mate were able to see the situation for what it was and there won’t be issues there.
I’m disappointed Loraviel won’t take a plea and… ”
“And thinks people will rally around him?”
“Haven’t they?” I chuckled darkly. “I’ve heard how I’m being a baby and it was just a party trick or whatever.
Ignoring the drug is illegal; the people at parties agree to take the drug.
I did not, and no matter how much Loraviel didn’t believe I would be harmed in the end, anyone with sense doesn’t agree.
My security has enough that we know the plot was to eventually kill me. ”
She swallowed loudly. “You’re sure? The elder hasn’t been apprehended yet.”
“Yes, well, we still had access to his messages and more. People can try to put whatever spin on things they want next, but saying I would be ‘dealt with’ after birthing a boy isn’t really that vague.
Either way, I know women aren’t as important as men in Thovudin, but I had thought even the most sexist would care about any ruler of our nation.
“But no, they care more about the ruler not being female instead of a planned assassination and puppeting my male child. Nothing to say if I had a girl—or a few first. So… I’m once more disappointed.
” I snickered again. “People are always so demanding that I care about their opinions and none seem to understand that I’m just as disappointed in them. ”
“The arraignment is this week and his parents won’t pay for an attorney.” She waited until I nodded. “A public defender then or—”
“I have no idea, June.” I chuckled when she blinked at me.
“If this was the only problem or issue on my plate, that would be great, but I lead a very large nation. We have many issues, including more droughts than were originally reported, and now we have shortages in harvest in several areas. I’ve been navigating that and other economic issues.
“There’s still the issue of the police corruption in the capital.
The insanity with the former high priest and the push that the new one meet with my candidates to make sure…
I’m not really sure what they want him to check in on.
That they’re not being abused when I didn’t have a choice in who was allowed to court me? ”
“They haven’t disclosed any reasons as of yet,” she said tightly.
“Yes, well, while they try to change the narrative of their own corruption and grasp at straws like they could have power over the ruler of Thovudin through her future mate, I’m busy,” I replied as I reached over and picked up a folder. I handed it to June. “Like suing my ex-boyfriend.”
I frowned when that same cameraman choked on air and I saw Treena and her security go tense.
“Last week I understood, but you do work with June often, yes?” I asked him. “You handle breaking news all of the time—are you always this unprofessional?”
“Remove him,” Davian ordered as he and the other wolf guard blocked Treena.
Lydia, the team lead on my security most times, had the cameraman restrained and removed before June, her producer, and the other cameraman could even react… And then they all blinked at each other.
“So my security isn’t anywhere as lacking as people think,” I said with a dark chuckle. “Loraviel is a powerful shadow dragon, the son of a powerful Alpha, and well…” I spread my hands out.
“I have questions,” June whispered.
I snickered and gave her a real smile. “That is why I’m here.
To answer questions.” I felt better when she let out a small but true laugh.
“Yes, Princess Treena’s guards are allowed to give orders but also follow orders.
If my detail had sensed something, then they would have—they work as a team to always keep the Heir of Bodach and me safe. ”
She looked over at Davian. “Can I ask what you sensed?”
He waited until Treena and I both nodded.
“Malice strong enough it was violent. It was at the same level of someone about to commit or committing violence, and we do not take that sort of risk. That level was unwarranted given the situation, and that’s a threat.
He would have been removed even if reasonable given the queen and princess are in the room. ”
“I had no idea wolves could sense that level,” June admitted. “I could tell he was upset, but—no one likes to be called out.”
“And yet you and I have called each other out and never have you given me a look that you wanted to punch me,” I reminded her.
“And I stand by what I said. You have covered some of the biggest stories of Thovudin for over a decade. And how long has he worked with you?” I nodded when she didn’t answer.
“How many times has he reacted like that to your interviews?”
“None before you, Your Majesty,” she accepted.
“So, I would ask a different cameraman next time,” I told her as I offered her the file again. “Back to the topic at hand.”
“You’re suing Kole Conley,” she said as she took it. “While Onyx Conley is one of your prospective mating candidates.”
“It is complicated,” I agreed when she didn’t seem to know what to say.
“But he supports the move.” I nodded when she blinked at me.
“He went personally to speak with Kole and Alpha Vex before I took these steps. Both men were convinced that I wouldn’t be so heartless and do this to them.
I wouldn’t risk what this could do to Thovudin. ”
“But they’re wrong,” she hedged as she opened the folder and started glancing through it.
“They have a selfish view of it, but I see the damage the lies are doing to Thovudin. I’m not simply an ex-girlfriend he’s pissed at, but I’m the leader of maybe the most powerful nation in the world.
His petty grievance I kicked him to the curb doesn’t justify risking the nation’s faith in their leader when he’s lying. ”
“He knew he was being recorded,” June gasped. “This is an affidavit from the person who recorded it and another friend there saying it was all faked. Kole wrote the whole speech and—this is disgusting.”
“It was always disgusting but yes, I knew it was fake the moment he doubled down and acted the victim. He did that very well in our relationship, and it was how he manipulated me—a lot of other women as well. The problem is Alpha Vex enables the disgusting behavior and that risks the future of Applerest.”
I went over some of the other proof I was allowed to know just for this and then talked about several other things before wrapping. June wanted to get some more insight into how things worked with Princess Treena’s security and also asked to speak with Belinda.
“We ask you speak with Raquel and some of the staff,” Toni interjected, nodding when I glanced at her.
“I agree with what Raquel said. People will find every stupid way to pick on you no matter how perfect you are, Your Majesty. Let those with open minds and who want the truth see it. Let them see the fun and education you brought to your home.”
“If they don’t mind being on camera. That’s not part of their jobs, and I don’t want anyone uncomfortable,” I said after a moment.
“You really are much kinder than people give you credit for,” June said, smiling at me. “I’ve interviewed a lot of people, Your Majesty. You’d be surprised how rarely they say something like that and worry about the comfort of people under them when it could benefit them.”
“I’m not tempted by the greed CEOs are,” I told her. “The gods blessed my family so we can keep dragons safe and that is my priority always.” I thanked them all for coming and headed out.
“You might think that a line, but I’ve never met anyone who takes protecting people—even people she dislikes—as seriously as your queen does,” Davian told June. “That’s not a slight against my king because we sense more as wolves.
“You would sense if the others were uncomfortable and it would make you uncomfortable. Dragons don’t sense things that way, so your queen is a bigger shield. It’s truly impressive and has changed the hearts and minds of many of our people. Simply hearing she changed protocols for our heir—amazing.”
That was the last of what I heard, but it made me smile. It meant a lot to me because I knew Davian was telling the truth.
I honestly didn’t think the man had it in him to lie. He didn’t believe in it.
I had some time before dinner and the meeting after it and headed to my suite. I did a double take when Onyx was sitting there on the sofa. “Hi?”
He chuckled. “You gave permission for me to be here today after we had fun at lunch. I’m flying out in the morning back to Protesia, so I just wanted to get all the time with you that I could.”
I flushed fire dragon hot and felt even my ears burning, that was so sweet. I went over to him and kicked off my heels before curling up next to him. “What are you doing?”
“Saving ideas for your suite actually,” he answered, shrugging when I blinked at him. “I have decorated places and apartments before.”