I decided to have a quick shower and then see if he was awake. I crept from the bed and entered his massive bathroom. While showering, I ran over a hundred different scenarios in my head about what I would say to my people today, needing the right words to make them understand everything that had been happening lately. Not to mention the changes in me now. I was going to have to go out there and speak of an enemy that most of them would never have heard of, the fae, and in the same breath tell them I was half one.
By the time I had brushed my teeth and dressed, I still wasn’t sure what I could say that would sway them to see my side of things. In the end, it would come down to majority rule. Not everyone would be happy with bears and wolves ruling side by side, or with me being part fae, but hopefully enough would see the benefits of having me return as queen. In time, everyone would see that it could work.
I was so lost in my thoughts that when I opened the bathroom door that led into the adjoining master bedroom, I slammed into Kade. He was shirtless, with wet hair.
“Sorry.” I placed my hands on his chest and let them brush over his abdomen. “Where did you shower?”
His eyes were dark as they ran across my face. “I used a guest bathroom.”
I let my hands trail the elastic of his boxers. “You could have joined me.”
His eyes lightened to a brilliant copper. “I decided to give you a little time alone. I know you’re nervous about the speech today. Plus, I had some things to think about too.”
My hand froze. I didn’t like it when my normally unflappable bear got that slightly uneasy look on his face. “Is everything okay? Anything I can help you with?”
One of Kade’s hands had been slack at his side, and he pulled it up between us now, opening his palm to show a beautiful diamond ring. The stone was large and oval, with a multitude of smaller diamonds running along the side and down the band. My breath caught in my throat. “I want to give you all the time you need. We can have a long engagement, but I’ve wanted to ask you this for so long … I refuse to wait any longer. I had an elaborate thing planned, lots of surprises, but that’s just not you.” He knew me so well. Simple and private was what I liked. He leaned down and pressed his lips to mine, pulling back just long enough to say, “Arianna, will you marry me?”
Once I was able to process all of the beautiful emotions running through me, I used our bond to reply, Yes.
He grinned, slipping the ring on my finger. It was a perfect fit.
“It was my grandmother’s,” Kade said as he stroked my hand.
“It’s beautiful,” I replied breathlessly. It was perfect.
I would go into this meeting fully committed to a bear and wolf partnership. Kade’s lips crashed into mine and all thoughts of a meeting were swept from my mind. Actually, all thoughts of anything other than the feel and scent of my mate were gone.
Kade lifted me into his arms, and my legs did their usual wrap-around-him thing. In a flash he had moved us out of the bathroom and my back was against the wall, Kade pressing into me. My mouth opened as his tongue danced with mine; our kisses soon turning hot and heavy. Kade peppered kisses down my jaw, before trailing them further down.
“We don’t have long,” Kade said against my skin.
My head went back as he hit the sensitive spot behind my ear. “I won’t need long,” I said with a laugh-groan.
His chest rumbled, and I knew his bear was happy. I was happy too. We had just enough time to celebrate our new journey together, and then we would go see our people, and fight for our continued existence.
After breakfast, it was time to head to the meeting spot. Kade, Violet, and I were waiting and ready. Monica, Blaine, and Victor would be our guard. My nerves had settled down slightly. I would accept whatever outcome was handed down today. I would survive either way. I had Kade, Winnie, and the rest of my family. If the wolves decided this was not a road for them, I would be with the bears. They were my people now too.
Seriously though, I was engaged to a bear, had killed Selene, and was about to try to unite two races after hundreds of years at war. At this point, not much could shock me. Or so I thought until I stepped out onto the front porch and a sleek black sedan pulled up. Two people stepped out that I hadn’t expected to see and I literally gasped, almost tripping down the stairs.
It wasn’t Calista’s presence per se that shocked me, though I had expected her to stay and care for Baladar. It was Baladar himself, on the Island, not a prisoner in his loft, that left me open-mouthed.
“Of course!” Violet shouted, running to greet Baladar. She didn’t touch him, which was normal, but she got right up in his face. Kade and I remained on the porch, both of us trying to figure out what had happened.
“When I killed Sabina the spell broke, didn’t it?” Violet was looking like a student asking her teacher if she got a hundred percent on her quiz.
Baladar winked at Violet and nodded. That was when I realized the light blue coloring of his iris had returned. It also seemed, by the way he looked right at Violet, that he could see her.
I hurried down the stairs to them now. “You’re not blind.” My voice was high with happiness, which only increased as I noticed Calista’s and Baladar’s hands intertwined. “This is such wonderful news! I’m so very happy for you.” My gaze found my advisor, who looked radiantly happy. “For both of you.”
Baladar nodded, pulling his love closer to him. “For the first time in over a century I’m tasting freedom, and it’s perfect.” His eyes locked in on me. “I’m here now to help, to repay some of the debt I owe you.”
My eyes caught on the shine of my diamond, and I felt the strength of my mate through our bond. “I have everything I need. You owe me nothing.”
Reaching into the sedan, Baladar pulled out an old brown leather book. He handed it to me. Frowning, I gently cracked the spine, glancing across the first few pages. There were old black and white photographs with names and dates, like a family tree. But as I read further, I gasped. Baladar had given me a royal family tree for bear and wolf shifter married couples.
“Bears and wolves were always meant to rule side by side. Make them see that,” Baladar said, and I nodded, handing the book to Violet.
“Thank you.” I pressed my hand to my chest, trying to keep my emotions in check. We were going to bring our case to the people. We were going to make them see. Bears and wolves were stronger together.
Chapter Sixteen
Long live the queen.