Ryder, High King of Faery, and the beast you’ll be begging to fuck you soon.
I raised my gaze from the message, grimacing when I realized everyone was focused on me. An intense blush entered my cheeks as I crammed the letter into the pocket of my gown.
“And for the record? You were groaning while reading that fuck-fest of a note, Flower,” Ristan laughed when I narrowed my gaze on him. “The paper isn’t dense enough to prevent the ink from bleeding through. I do hope he comes back quickly to ensure you can properly ask him to climax.”
The chamber erupted in a thunderous applause, which had me rolling my eyes. I tried to resist the grin curving on my lips, but I ended up giving in, laughing quietly at the sound of joy in the hall.
Ryder and I agreed that one of us needed to search for our daughter, but it didn’t stop the twinge of longing his being away caused or made it any easier not to have him by my side. The moment Ryder left the palace, life stopped, as if time didn’t move for me without him. I had yet to comprehend how he finished the day early and managed so much time for us. I was crawling into bed at midnight, too tired to even have a full thought, and I managed a few hours of sleep before his son woke me by bouncing within my womb, probably already preparing for battle.
I tried to figure out his cadence, but so far, I’d failed. Instead, every hour I was outside the bedroom I shared with my beast, I felt like I was a in a whirlwind of chaos where everyone needed my attention. I didn’t know how he did this every day.
“So, what are we going to do if the snow doesn’t lighten up and we’re all trapped here through the winter solstice celebration?” Ciara questioned, bouncing Fury on her knee while Blane held his feisty daughter, who refused to allow her brother anywhere near her daddy.
I nibbled my lip before smirking. “Celebrate the coming holiday? I have to host it, anyway, so we might as well enjoy the simple fact that we’re all here together. It’s hard to get everyone together, so we might as well make the best of the storm and try to keep positive. Plus, there’s safety in numbers, and I could use the extra help to plan the winter solstice.”
It was true. After a few short weeks with no a hint of Kahleena, people had started to depart the kingdom and return to their places within Faery. Zahruk, Adam, and Ristan hadn’t, but most of us were relearning how to live without the constant threat of war looming over us.
“I think that’s a splendid plan, Flower. Considering it’s the first time in months that we’ve opened the palace to outsiders, a family celebration sounds amazing. We should figure out why the other courts have yet to provide the tithe we’re owed before we celebrate, though. We also have a few groups of people seeking to cause uprisings. They’ve been handled for now.”
“Speaking of uprisings, I have an announcement to make,” Ciara called out with a smile spreading on her generous lips, even as her eyes sparkled with excitement. The entire room paused, aiming their focus on her until she fidgeted beneath the attention.
“Now isn’t the time, Ciara,” Blane whispered against her ear as if everyone in the room couldn’t hear them.
“Good God, don’t tell me you’re already expecting again?” I responded, honestly fearing she was about to proclaim another babe was coming.
“No, not that I am aware of anyhow,” she countered as Blane chuckled, sliding his lips over her forehead before she shoved him away. They’d gone through hell to get where they were today, and I understood his desire to keep her heavy and hindered with pregnancy. “Behave, dragon!” she chided, and he grinned over at me.
“I believe my mate needs a few more months before she’s fit to give me more babes,” Blane whispered, brushing his lips against her temple.
“You keep that penis away from me, Blane. I’ve been continually pregnant since I met you, jackass. I require some momma time before you plant more seeds in my body and force me to grow them from scratch.”
Choking on the laughter that bubbled up, I grimaced. Discomfort slithered over my senses, and I moved my gaze to Ristan, who had pain churning in his mercury-colored depths. He visibly shook, shoving away whatever had entered his mind before giving me a tight smile. Sitting back against the cushions, he settled a hand on his knee and shifted his eyes to watch his son. I’d been picking up on his spikes of pain a lot less lately, which told me he was learning to let Olivia go and find her peace.
“I am considering making matches for the unwed dragons,” Ciara announced into the chamber, and I looked at her as if she’d whacked her fucking skull. “Do you think if we offered some of the unmated dragons to lords, or ladies, that it would end some disputes? I know it wouldn’t work for the royal courts or higher and lesser courts, of course. But it may squash some of the unrest occurring with the new laws.”
“No, it wouldn’t, Ciara. They’re dragons, not royals. It would be a prosperous match, unquestionably. Besides, individuals don’t wish to pay tithes or honor their obligation to Ryder and Synthia, and marrying off your kin won’t change that.” Ristan frowned, but she looked annoyed that he’d dismissed her idea so flippantly.
“It’s only the Sun Court and the Spring Court that haven’t appeared to disclose the lack of tithe.” I hated admitting that I hadn’t received as much as a message from either court.
“Zahruk mentioned that the Court of Nightmares hadn’t presented their tithe either,” Asrian informed warily.
“He did, but he also left before fully disclosing the details. The king of the Nightmare Court isn’t normally one who ignores paying the tithe. Until we figure out what they said or what happened during Zahruk’s visit, I’m hesitant to demand more.”
I’d received a message from several of their males. Of course, all were claiming Zahruk had stolen and defiled their brides-to-be. I’d initially dismissed the claims, but then I’d remembered that Zahruk had stated his hunger was growing and his needs had turned darker. There was also the feeling that he was hiding things to prevent Ryder from worrying about him.
“I’ll seek the king of the Summer Court and figure out what’s holding up the tithe. Synthia, you need to rest. You look drained,” Ristan stated, frowning when his gaze fixed on the baby bump. “I’ll send Cailean to the Spring Court, but there are reports they’re infuriated that we would want more from them.”
I chortled, caressing my abdomen. “What do they expect after only sending one prince and a handful of warriors to assist in the fighting? Those courts had minimal losses and wished to feign otherwise. Send men with Cailean and have him ready in case they do something idiotic, like try to fight him. I will see you all in the morning.”
That would be the last thing I needed. I wasn’t taking any chance of losing Ryder’s brothers. I’d seen enough war and was sick of fighting. It was an exhausting cycle that never ended.
Chapter Four
A shiver rushed down my spine, yanking me from a dream. I glared around the darkened room, searching for what had startled me. It took effort to force my limbs to function enough for me to slide slowly from the bed. When I was finally on my feet, I grabbed the robe, slipping it on, I went in search of what had disturbed my sleep. I pulled the bathrobe tight, tying it closed to keep away the freezing air nipping at my flesh.