Page 35 of Queen’s Gambit

He pulled me close, engulfing me in his embrace, his head dipped to my shoulder, lips trailing over my skin.

‘I don’t care about the world. The only true image of me is the one I see in your eyes. As long as you love me, that’s all that matters,’ he whispered. I sighed, basking in the strength of his embrace.

‘What happens tomorrow?’ I wondered aloud because we’d never discussed the full extent of our plans.

‘After Lily is done with her prince, I’ll arrest Niersen and then talk to the Lumivitae. The Orc tribes already agreed to support us. Tangra has been raiding their shores for years, capturing adolescents for heavy labour. The Wind Master got a taste of the Void magic, so he’s helping, and the Dark Fae, for some reason, are very fond of you.’

‘Of me?’ That was the first I’d heard about it.

‘Domina Dagome, you are exactly what they consider a perfect queen. Arean can’t stop praising my impeccable taste. I, of course, diplomatically agreed.’ He chuckled, kissing my temple. ‘It’s just the Lumivitae that I’m unsure of. Care to tell me what you planned when I was flying here with neck-breaking speed?’

‘Nothing much. Lily wants to talk to her prince. Alaric said he’ll drag him to her so she can reveal the Herald’s betrayal.’

‘That’s the first good news I’ve had regarding the Lumivitae. Thank you, my love.’ He grinned, and pure mischief flashed in his eye. ‘Should I be concerned that you and Alaric have become thick as thieves in a span of what? Two days?’

‘Should you?’ I teased. ‘Since you’re sending me to sleep with a dragon, maybe you’ve started to consider sharing, like your brother?’

‘Roksana Regnav, I’ll rip the heart out of any man who comes close to touching you… Except maybe Irsha or Tova, since those bastards earned my respect. And Cinared. Even I’m not so jealous that I’d fight a dragon.’ He tapped my nose, a playful glint in his eye. Still, I couldn’t let him have the upper hand.

‘No murdering anyone, devious man. That’s my job. You still haven’t told me what you’re planning for the ball.’ I pressed, and he sighed.

‘We will eat, dance, and be merry. Then at midnight, I’ll kneel before you and ask you to be my queen, in the faint hope you’ll say yes, sparing me the embarrassment of hugging your thighs until you agree.’ He smiled when I rolled my eyes, but his gaze darkened. ‘Then I’ll declare war on Tangra and send the Clericus back with a proclamation of war signed by the entire Tir ha Mor continent.’

My breath caught. ‘So, on the last night of peace, you’re sending me to a dragon’s lair?’

‘It’s the last night of peace for him as well. I dragged this ancient creature from the sky and harnessed him to our cause. I want to give him the one thing he craves before I ask him to bleed in my war.’ Guilt darkened his expression. There was more to it.

‘What aren’t you telling me?’

‘Vahin saved Annika, pulling her from the other side of the Veil while all my brother could do was mourn. I don’t know what will come, and I’m afraid. Is it a crime to want a dragon to love you? To love you so much even death can’t take you away?’

‘Rey, that’s his choice… and mine,’ I said, and he nodded.

‘I know. Now go to Cinared, Roksana.’