Chapter 34
GAVIN
I am more nervous than I’ve ever been in my life. His Majesty has summoned me and Kyler.
We’re properly dressed, each in pale breeches and silk jackets of nobles.
Kyler’s is a cornflower yellow that almost clashes with his golden hair, while my jacket is the proper royal color of silver.
I smooth Kyler’s hair back with a ribbon, and we’re ready to head to the throne room, no doubt to reject me from achieving Grand Mage status.
I haven’t fulfilled the Task. I haven’t retrieved the phoenix stone, and anyway, it no longer exists. According to Kyler, he absorbed it. I wipe my hands on my thighs, willing them to stop sweating.
Damon joins us in the hallway, also summoned by the king. I fight the urge to run back to my room and shut myself away with my books like I did as a child when I got overwhelmed.
Kyler squeezes my hand, pulling me back to him. “Breathe.” He flashes a pretty grin that melts me and gives me strength.
“How are you not shaking?”
“Nothing is as terrifying as Vex was.” His voice is quiet, but the smile doesn’t leave his eyes.
Damon leads the way, his heavy boots loud in the hall.
Despite Kyler and Damon, my mind wanders to places I wish it wouldn’t. What if His Majesty wants to send me back on pointless missions? Making me leave Kyler behind? What if…
Kyler drags me into an empty hallway and presses me against the wall.
“Everything.” He kisses me harshly and pulls away.
“Will.” Another kiss. “Be.” Kiss. “Okay.” He offers his tongue, and I gladly take it, melting into the taste of his honey-sweet mouth.
Kyler’s delicious seduction haze wraps around me, fogging my senses.
I have to rip myself away, lean my head against the stone wall to take a breath. “You keep that up, and I’ll have to take you here in the hallway.”
Kyler whimpers, an adorable sound that brings color to his cheeks. He keeps kissing me until Damon finds us.
“His Majesty doesn’t like to be kept waiting.” Damon’s statement holds more humor than reprimand.
I wave him off. “One more minute,” I whisper against Kyler’s mouth.
Damon turns his back, standing watch while Kyler spreads soft kisses along my jawline, whispering soothing words. Damon doesn’t budge, even as I push past the minute I asked for.
“I’m better now.” I pull away and smooth down tendrils of Kyler’s messy hair.
Kyler nods. Taking my hand, he leads me back to the hallway. Damon takes the lead again, and we walk in silence. The hum of anxiety dies, absorbed into the ground with each step.
My mind is clear when we arrive at the throne room. This time, the door is closed. The seal of the king burns into the wood, a dragon in flight with a crown hovering above it.
Damon takes control, telling the door attendant—a wolf shifter with twitchy wolf ears atop his head—to announce us. The man hurries away, going around the corner to a servant entryway. We wait, and soon the door groans open to let us in.
Again, Damon takes the lead. His Majesty sits on the obsidian throne.
Before, I always thought the throne room was beautiful, but now it feels stifling. The glass ceiling and dozens of stained-glass windows are the only parts I enjoy for all the glittering light they let in.
“Your Majesty,” I bow, and Kyler follows with his adorable excuse for one.
His Majesty’s lips pull into a sneer. “Is this your little merman?” He pushes from his throne and strolls toward Kyler. “He’s very pretty.”
I stand in the way. “Don’t come any closer.” I don’t know what His Majesty’s plans are, but I’ll do anything to protect Kyler.
“I just want to smell him.” His Majesty licks his lips. “Taste him. Have you had fresh mer tail? It’s been ages. Their meat is so tender.”
My stomach wrenches. Perhaps it isn’t only the necromancers that drove merfolk away. Or perhaps His Majesty has truly gone mad.
His Majesty inches closer.
Kyler stumbles backward and trips over his own feet.
“I think you’re close enough.” I dare to press my hand to His Majesty’s shoulder to keep him from getting any closer.
“This is the little merman that’s wrecked our court. He needs to suffer the consequences. Guards!” Venom drips from his voice. His eyes bulge, looking wild and frantic.
“No!” I pull Kyler back to his feet and bring him close. I’ve never seen His Majesty look so crazed. “Kyler has done nothing to deserve—”
“The two of you succeeded in dissolving the arranged marriage.” His Majesty flicks a note toward me, watching it sail past us. “I cannot marry you to Avondra if Ailey is already married. With your blessing. How dare you do this? And with what? Some street urchin? The boy isn’t even royal.”
“No, he’s not. But he’s perfect the way he is.”
Kyler’s cheeks burn red, and it would be adorable if we weren’t in the throne room with His Majesty acting like a bratty child.
I have to keep myself from growling, but I bend over and snatch the letter from the ground. A green wax seal with a crown tells me it’s indeed from Avondra.
When I open the note, Ailey’s beautiful penmanship greets me. I grin as I read, “Ailey married Trance. How wonderful!”
“She insulted us by—”
I raise a hand, my heart pounding at my action. “The wedding was a whirlwind. There was no time if they were to stop the impending war between their countries.”
My boldness surprises me.
“And what of the war between Lane and Avondra?” His Majesty is so close I practically breathe the same air as him. He shoves me. “You will fly to Avondra and destroy them for their slight.”
“Absolutely not!” I bellow back. “Have you gone mad? There is no need. Avondra is still our ally. No need to—”
“Arrest him,” Leander’s voice rings out.
My heart pounds. Him? Which him? Surely not—
“His Majesty is no longer of sound mind. He makes poor judgments and threatens the peace that we’ve had for decades. Arrest him.”
Guards pour in from places I always forget about. I cling to Kyler and press a kiss to his head, mostly to reassure myself. “Everything’s okay.”
“Unhand me! How ridiculous! You’ll be sorry!” His Majesty screams as guards carry him away. “Give me that merman’s tail! You’ve never had anything so delicious!” No one comes to the madman’s aid. No one wishes to stay under his rule.
Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Ambrose stride in as the king flails around.
The crown clanks to the floor. Leander bends to pick it up and places it on the obsidian throne. No doubt not ready to place it upon his head. For all his desire to rule—as a good king—Leander needs time to adjust.
I step forward, proud of my brothers for orchestrating the takeover. “All hail King Leander!” Those gathered continue the chant until the room fills with sound. Leander will be a good leader, and I can’t wait to see what he does for the people now that he has the power.
Leander raises his hands. “My people, please forgive me for not doing this sooner, but all pieces needed to slide into place.”
Claps ring through the room. Poor Kyler seems lost, and I keep him close. I’ll explain later.
Leander gestures for me.
Kyler follows and watches as I go to my knee in front of Leander. I press my fist to my heart.
“Brother,” I start. “I swear my fealty to you.” I mean the words wholeheartedly.
“Rise.” Leander clamps his hand on my shoulder and squeezes.
“No need for formalities between us. I know you don’t wish to be a pawn, so I relieve you of your princely duties.
Live your life as you see fit. You’re welcome to stay at the palace or go your own way.
You’ll always have a place here if you want it. ”
I blink back at Leander. “Truly?”
He nods. “Truly. Go live your grand adventures. Find more merfolk for Kyler. But live how you’ve always dreamed. Help people. Just promise that if you need help, you’ll come to me.”
“I—Yes. Thank you.” I pull my brother into a hug, not caring how it looks.
Once we release each other, Leander looks to Kyler, which makes my nerves rise again. “And you, young Kyler.”
Kyler stands at attention. “Yes, sir?”
A soft smile lifts Leander’s lips. “You are a friend of the realm. Please keep my brother company, but you too have a place at court if you so wish.”
Kyler blinks back. I squeeze his hand and bring my knuckles to my lips to kiss.
Ambrose claps, drawing everyone’s attention to him… and Sebastian, the dark-haired beauty, standing close.
“But what of Gavin’s Grand Mage status?” Of course, Ambrose would ask. He isn’t an ass about it, but he could have waited. It doesn’t matter now.
“I failed my Task,” I say, pulling Kyler even closer. “But I think I got something better.”
“I don’t believe you failed,” Leander says. “Kyler explained that he absorbed the phoenix stone, and he stands before us. In the eyes of Lane, Gavin, you are a Grand Mage.”
My knees nearly buckle. I have my merman, and I’m a Grand Mage.
“We’ll have the proper papers written up. But for now, we will feast.”