Page 31 of Black Crown
“I didn’t think anything of it,” I said numbly. “I didn’t realize the thoughts weren’t mine; in the same way I don’t notice I’m breathing all day. It just happened, and then it was gone right when you put up your gold veil. It must have kept him out.”
“You were in your Phaetyn form too,” she replied. “Maybe that helped.”
“And I was closer to Tyrrik,” I added. The events of the night played over in my mind again. “I regained slightly more control as Tyrrik drew near. The closer he got to the forest tonight . . .” The truth hit me, and I looked at my mate and said, “My resistance to Draedyn is stronger when you’re close.”
A heavy silence followed my words, and Tyrrik cleared his throat, breaking the stupor. He turned his attention to the Phaetyn, an impassive mask falling over his features, leaving me chilled.
“Queen Lani,” he said. “Your people need direction. You need to pull yourself together.”
My people, she mouthed, and then she exploded. “On my first night of rule, I get so drunk I can’t complete the barrier, and Draedyn slaughters fifty of my people, taking the prince and princess and at least two more.” Her eyes shifted to me. “I come to ‘my people’ with a Phaetyn-Drae who gives the princess over to our enemy.”
I froze, anguish slamming into me.
Lani rushed to add. “That’s merely what the Phaetyn are thinking, Ryn. You must see how they’ll mistrust you even when I explain what happened. You both must see how wary this will make them.”
Knowing her words were true did nothing to lessen the hurt as she spoke them.
A menacing rumble filled Tyrrik’s chest, and I could feel his ire rising on my behalf. “Watch what you say, Phaetyn.”
“Do not forget yourself,” Lani whipped back with a glare, shooting to her feet.
A menacing smile curved his lips, and his skin rippled as scales climbed up his neck. “And do not make the mistake of forgetting whoIam.”
“You’re right,” I whispered, releasing my pride. Tyrrik’s arm tightened around my waist, and I held up my hand wearily before he could reassure me. “No, I’m serious. This isn’t a pity party. This isn’t a blame game. I screwed up. I should’ve been working harder on my defenses. Maybe I should’ve realized what the emperor was doing or what he was capable of, but now that I know . . . I’ll shovel dung uphill to work on overcoming that weakness.”No one controls me.
I met Lani’s eyes across the room. “And you need to get the barrier up. Then we need to save Kamini and Kamoi—”
“How do you know they’re even alive?” Lani asked harshly, her grip tightening on the crown she still held. “How do you know he hasn’t killed them?”
Tyrrik answered, “Why would he kill them when they are the perfect hostages?”
A glint of hope entered the Phaetyn’s violet eyes, but she deflated again as her gaze fell on the crown. She curled into herself and bowed her head. “I can’t put up the barrier. I’m not strong enough.” She sucked in a strangled breath and added, “I couldn’t even do it as my people burned.” She dropped the crown to the quartz floor, watching the ornate circlet rattle around and eventually settle. “I’m not Queen.”
She was wrong. My certainty solidified as well as my intentions as I thought of what would come next.
My love,Tyrrik spoke in my head.You know what this will mean?
I glanced up at him.Yes. I know.I probably didn’t, but I knew enough. And Draedyn needed to be dethroned.I’m ready to fight in this war, mate. To the end.
The air caught in his throat, and his eyes burned as he changed the subject.You have accepted the M word?
How could I have ever doubted?Yes, I have. Next time I decide we need distance . . .
I’ll lock you in a room and never let you out.
My brows lifted at his tone. I’d been joking, but Tyrrik sounded almost angry as he replied.
Stepping free of his embrace, I approached the hunched Phaetyn and then crouched by her side. She didn’t lift her head even when I reached for her crown.
The intricate circle of metal leaves was surprisingly light, weighing far less than a golden object of its size should. Warm power trickled from the crown, soothing my frayed nerves and minutely stoking my energy. One minute later, and Lani would’ve had the crown on her head and everything could’ve worked out so much differently. She could’ve put up the barrier. Fifty Phaetyn may still be alive.
But thinking that way was pointless now.
I took a deep breath and whispered, “You are the Phaetyn queen, Lani.” I brushed back her silver hair. “And youwillwear this crown and be who you need to be, despite what you feel. You’ll do this because your family is in danger and because your people need you.”
She looked up at me, her eyes glistening with tears.
“And you need them,” I added. With that, I gently placed the crown on her head.