46. Aldrin #2
I open my mouth to speak, but Keira’s voice cuts through my thoughts down the bond. Sex parties? she damn near screeches, but I can sense the curiosity curling underneath it.
Something you’d be interested in? I tease.
What? I…is that a normal occurrence around here?
You have no idea.
I become lost in Keira’s hazel eyes for a moment, wide like a startled doe’s and molten as her mind gets away from her, trying to imagine the logistics of such a thing. I let out a low chuckle, running my hand up her thigh.
“That is going to be quite the challenge,” Klara says, drawing back my attention.
“The fae of this city allowed Titania to exploit, suppress and blindside them all for the simple promise of maintaining their way of life. High fae have come to value the comforts and luxuries of living in the city above all else.”
“Aldrin has a brilliant plan for that.” Keira beams as she looks at me.
“ Our plan. Keira contributed to it as much as I did.”
I take a deep breath, because this is the first time I will be airing it with anyone other than my queen.
“I cannot force the people to do anything they don’t agree with, or there will be more riots on our hands.
If the high fae love the lifestyle of living in a city, then we will build more smaller cities and luxury towns across the court.
They will have access to the bars, nightlife, markets and communities that they are used to. ”
I swallow hard, then keep speaking. “We will connect them with major highways to what is left of our portals, so travel and transport of goods becomes easier. They will still have access to human chocolate, Winter technology and Summer sweet wines, even in the most remote parts of our lands. All of the delicacies and commodities they have become addicted to will still be at their fingertips. There will be new business opportunities and cash bonuses for any who make the move.”
Klara nods while Cyprien’s eyebrows rise higher and higher on his forehead.
“One thing I will force on the high fae is that all must pay the tithe,” I say.
“A portion of their magic, whether it is directly back into the lands by those who relocate, or into plinths by those who remain. This was an oath our forebearers made to the gods when they created us, and it has been forgotten along the way. We high fae need to care for this realm again, as is our duty and the reason we were gifted so much power.”
“And how do you plan to fund this?” Cyprien asks.
“Do you remember all that wealth Titania hoarded for herself? How she drained it out of the court and stole it from any fae she killed?” A wicked smile splits Keira’s lips. “Well, it is ours now. It is shocking to realize just how much she took, considering how hungry she was for more.”
“Not to mention that we will be confiscating the estates of her most loyal supporters,” I muse. “I suspect there will be a lot of private investment in such a venture as well. There is always money to be made in expansion.”
“And what about these diplomatic missions to the other courts?” Klara asks for the hundredth time.
I hold up my hands. “I am not going to start another war by muscling in on their way of life.”
“We are simply testing the waters in each court,” Keira says.
“Gently opening the discussion and seeing if they too are affected by the corruption or if they deny it. The official purpose is to inform them of a change in leadership in the Spring Court. The best way to influence them into joining the fight, and using Aldrin’s ideas to combat it, is to succeed at it here.
People always want to copy success. We won’t pressure them until we prove our theories and thrive in a position of strength. ”
Cyprien nods distractedly, but his attention has been drawn away. He gazes to the other side of the room, where Sasha sits at the end of the banquet table.
Outwardly she looks radiant.
Paints have been applied to her skin to accentuate her natural beauty, her hair has been styled with light oils so it shines, and her gown drips with jewels.
But the evidence is there that she came close to death in a golden cage alongside my mate.
She jumps each time someone speaks too loudly and there is a distressed tightness around her eyes.
All three of Sasha’s orc bodyguards are seated around her protectively, practically radiating aggression.
I wouldn’t blame them after everything this court has put her through, if those near-seven-foot men weren’t glaring varying degrees of loathing and accusation at Cyprien, like he is the largest threat to their princess in this room.
When his gaze turns away from Sasha, the orcs relax and break their death stares.
I asked Cyprien after the last battle why they seem to hate him so much, why Sasha is so hostile to him, and he told me he has no fucking clue.
After all, the previous Winter King, Sasha’s uncle, died at his hand, but I was the man who declared war on their entire court after their first invasion attempt, and I don’t receive a fraction of her contempt.
But Cyprien can’t stop snatching glances at her.
My eyes glide to Silvan and Jasper. They are seated with senators who were imprisoned in their homes during Titania’s reign for their outspoken support of me and the ranking army commanders who lead the regiments that helped us win.
Jasper waves his arms around as he speaks loudly of one battle or another, cheeks flushed from wine and eyes glittering every time he looks at Silvan. They break out into roaring laughter at multiple points, many of the others calling out and contributing.
Silvan doesn’t say a word. He simply watches Jasper with the gentlest expression I have ever seen on his face. He actually smiles, as though relishing his partner’s joy is enough for him.
An hour passes, followed by another, as multiple courses of the banquet are brought out, consumed and cleared away. The tension doesn’t leave me the entire time. Maybe I have spent so many years constantly on guard and searching for threats that I have forgotten how to relax and celebrate.
I take Keira’s hand in mine and kiss each one of her knuckles. “Is there anything my queen wants for? Any changes you would like to make in this court? We could tear this entire palace down and build you another one if that is what you desire.”
She tilts her head to the side and gives me a hard look, making me laugh. “Why do you offer such extravagant things when you know I don’t care for them?”
I shrug. “To prove there are no bounds to my love. How about a new festival that celebrates competitions of archery on horseback? I’m sure we can import some of those mad beasts from your birth realm.
We can build a new library available to the public that compiles advanced texts from across the realm, including the specialties of the other courts.
You will find mine lacking in comparison to the universities in the Summer Court.
Gods, we could build realm-leading universities and offer grants to those who cannot afford tuition. ”
Keira perks up, suddenly sitting straighter, and I know I have hit the nail on the head. “I would die to study at a university. To finally learn to read fae runes and history and more. To have such a dream available to everyone, despite their status or wealth—that would be monumental.”
I cringe. “Don’t speak of dying. It won’t come to that ever again.”
“Oh, Aldrin, I want to sponsor human academics to study in our library and transcribe fae scriptures. For them to bring fae knowledge back to the human realm and vice versa.” Her entire face lights up.
“Done,” I say. “You can have whatever you want, Keira. The rule of this realm is as much yours as it is mine.” I can’t stop saying those words, not until she believes them to the depths of her soul.
She runs a finger across my jawline, down my neck and chest, partly exposed through the thin embroidered silk of my tunic.
“I want to start a family here. Put down roots. When all of our battles are fought and we have a good plan in place to combat the corruption of these lands, I want the palace halls to ring with the laughter of children.”
I swallow hard as my heart expands so rapidly it might burst. “That may take years to accomplish?—”
“I know Torin is still out there and angry, but we can find him if we throw all our resources at it. And the corruption cannot wait the decades it will take to slowly reverse it. I love being an aunt, but it is not enough for me.”
I take her small hands in mine and squeeze them. “No, I mean trying to conceive may take years. Decades, for some.”
“Then it is better we start trying sooner than later.” She winks at me. “What is it that you really want, Aldrin?”
“You know what I want,” I say in a low growl, leaning in close to speak into her ear.
“You, on top of me, pinned underneath me, against a wall. In every way I can possibly think up, then to repeat it all. I want you first thing in the morning and in the middle of the night. To sneak away partway through the day. The time and peace to enjoy each other uninterrupted. Mostly, I want no one to ever take you from me again.”
Keira’s huge eyes are ablaze when I pull back from her and she opens that sultry mouth to say something, and I know I am going to fucking love it?—
The grand doors to the banquet hall slam open. Two columns of Royal Guards march through with a man in their grasp.
I rise immediately from my seat and the room falls to silence.
At first I think they have brought me one of Torin’s men, someone who can give us information—and has been caught in the thick of fighting, from the bloody mess of him.
Then I take in the way they carry him under the shoulders so caringly, and the fact that Basil fusses over him.