Friedrich stood on the bottom tier of the amphitheater. He couldn’t applaud, but he beamed with pride, the man who’d trusted him and joined him in his plan toward this better world. Holding to his hook hand was the pretty little blond Izzy and Denny and Nate beside her along with his other five children, those Mikhail had protected as if they were his own at Winter Hill. At Friedrich’s side was Brennalyn, happy tears streaking her cheeks, the mound of her unborn child beginning to show. Grant grinned like a man who’d found out a secret. Perhaps he had, staring down at a king who’d always professed to be no more than a hired assassin. Mikhail nodded with a smile.
Next to the Duke and Duchess of Winter Hill and their children stood the general of the newly appointed Legionnaires of the Glass Tower, sworn to keep peace and protect the people—all people, both human and vampire—of the land of Varis. Besides his sharp new uniform and the Black Lily insignia upon his lapel, Nikolai wore his usual crooked smile, his lovely bride Sienna at his side. They’d come straight from their home, Nikolai’s family estate not too far from Briar Rose. Beside them stood Dane, Allora, and Bron, emissaries of the clans of the hart wolves of Silvane Forest. Though not all of the clans had fought at the Battle of Dragon Fire, many had. Those who did showed their support for this new world built on equality, not hierarchy.
Next to Nikolai and Sienna stood Lord Petrov, whispering something to Mikhail’s mother, who smiled at whatever he’d said and smiled brighter down at her son. He’d long hoped for the day when he’d avenge his father and put a smile back on his mother’s face, but he never thought it would happen like this.
King Marius and Queen Arabelle applauded from the dais on the Forum floor. Mikhail noted that if Arabelle, the peasant girl raised in the oppressive shadow of the Glass Tower under Morgrid’s rule, could rise to the confident queen in her white regalia, then perhaps he could rise to the occasion as well. It was in his genes, after all.
He realized that his fear never stemmed from being unable to achieve his goal of avenging his family name. It had risen from not being able to live up to it. To be the man he was supposed to be. The king he was supposed to be.
He looked down at Mina. Her golden hair unbound, the emerald-and-diamond crown of Arkadia atop her head, the silken gown of green falling in thick folds to the floor. She caught his gaze, the applause still a deafening roar.
“What are you thinking?” she asked.
Leaning toward her, he said, “I’m thinking about how quickly I can get you out of that dress. And everything else.” He glanced up to her head. “Except the crown.”
Her eyes widened, a pretty blush crawling up her neck. “Mikhail.” She smiled and waved to the crowd.
“Yes?” His eyes remained on her.
“I don’t believe a king is supposed to talk like that.”
“Oh, darling. You’ve never known a king like me. My queen’s pleasure comes before anything else.”
She laughed. “It sounds to me as if you’re thinking of your pleasure.”
“Perhaps a little,” he admitted, then sobered. He reached up and cupped her cheek, an unusually public gesture in front of the populace, but he didn’t care. “As long as you’re happy, then all is right with the world.”
She met his gaze and placed her palm over his hand against her cheek. “I didn’t know a person could be this happy.”
“Then I’ll endeavor to keep you so.”
She glanced away coyly. “Well, I wouldn’t mind being as happy as Brennalyn.”
Mikhail glanced at her in the crowd, rounded belly and seven children at her side. Eight if one counted Nate, who was as good as hers.
“Are you telling me you want eight children?”
“Well, I’d be happy to start with just one.”
“My queen. I am at your command.” He swept her up into his arms and carried her down the corridor toward the exit. More applause and not a little bit of laughter followed them.
She caught her crown. “Really, Mikhail. That was a little dramatic for your first appearance as the new monarch of Arkadia.”
“I’m a man of action.”
“Yes, I know.” She glanced down the marble steps, the people of Arkadia waving and cheering outside the line of Legionnaires, the fragrant smell of roses on the wind as they tossed petals in the air. The warm sun of a spring day beamed down on them. “We’re not going to the reception? Where everyone wants to congratulate you?”
He marched down the long steps and carried her into the awaiting carriage, pulling her into his lap and drawing the curtains. “I don’t want anyone’s attention but yours, Mina mine.” He started on her lacings at the back. “Now, let’s get started making a baby.”
She fell into a fit of laughter, both of them pulling at each other’s regal clothes, stripping the pieces off one by one. He set his crown aside, but when she went to take hers off, he shook his head and forced it back in place. Lifting her by the hips to straddle him, he positioned her and thrust up into her body on a satisfying groan. She sighed, molding her sweet mouth to his. And Mikhail lost himself in her kiss, in her body, in her sultry, sweet sounds and jasmine scent.
For once in his life, he didn’t have a plan. But he had a compass, her soft warmth surrounding him in love. And she would forever point him home.
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