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Ash smiles, swiping a mug and taking a big swallow. “One of the main reasons I’m here, my friend. Dragon ale is above and beyond any I’ve had.”
“Of course it is.”
Ash laughs. “Of course. Still humble I see.”
“Confident.”
Ash takes another swig, the foam sticking to his dark stubble. “So, you nervous? Oh, wait. I forgot who I was talking to. Of course you’re not.”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “No. Not really. Just hoping I can be everything she needs.”
The crinkles at the edges of Ash’s eyes smooth out. “You are her match. You are the other piece to her soul. Just being there for her is enough.”
A cloud of sadness passes over his eyes, but it’s gone the next moment. Still, I grip his shoulder. “You and Raelyn may not be fated Mates, but you are each other’s hearts. You know this.”
Ash nods, taking another sip of ale. When he pulls the mug away from his lips, his smile is back in place. He turns a slow circle, whistling. “You’ve gone all out.”
The floor-to-ceiling windows gleam in the cloud-covered sunlight. Evergreens drape over the doors, windows, chandeliers, and tables. The marble floor is bare except for a purple and black rug at the end of the room. The weave is intricate, with vines and swirls dipping in and out of our colors. Firelight sways from torches lining the room as well from the hearth at the opposite end of the long room.
And the flowers …
Ash leans over, breathing in the delicate scent of the large orchids on the table next to us. “Beautiful.”
Indeed. Flowers of every sort permeate the entire room, adorning tables, hanging from golden planters, and spilling from tall vases flanking the doorways.
“We have several solariums in the castle where we cultivate both native plants and plants from off world. Tatha and I met in the east solarium.”
Ash smiles, looking around the room, taking in the multitude of colorful blooms. “Has she seen it yet?”
I shake my head, setting my mug down and clasping my hands behind my back, hoping to hide the sudden nervous flutter that jumps in my chest.
Ash nods. “She’ll love it.”
I smile, looking around. I hope so.
Ash and I talk, catching up as people start to file into the room. Everyone bows as they enter, then mill about, carrying on their own conversations. The room fills quickly, and yet more people arrive, spilling out the open doors onto the stone patio and down into the gardens.
My hands clasp tighter as I notice several members of the Mountain clan conversing outside in small groups. I know they won’t come inside, but just the fact that they are here and in their human forms shows how much love Tatha’s people have for her.
Leaning toward me, Ash draws my attention. “Has everything from the Challenge … been sorted?”
Clenching my hands isn’t working, so I stuff them in my pockets. “For the most part. We found three more who conspired with Inchel to”—my voice drops, rumbling with a growl—“use my Mate.”
Ash has a few choice words for Inchel, and my mind drifts, recalling when we found the woman who ran messages to the men holding Tatha. My Mate didn’t hesitate, shifting in a flash and stabbing her tail through the woman’s heart. After, she flicked pieces of flesh and blood from her scales, and I arranged for the body to be burried. Traitors don’t receive the honor of cremation. Their ashes will not float up to the stars. Their remains will rot, locked under the earth. A few days later, we found two others—one who set the kitchen fire, and the other who broke the water line. I quickly took care of them.
My gaze scans the room, landing on Kudrer. He bows when he catches my eye, then quickly steps outside. The indigo male has made himself scarce since the Challenge, but I can’t find any concrete evidence that he was directly involved. And he’s too smart to incriminate himself … so far.
Ash pops a thin slice of roasted meat into his mouth, licking the fat from his lips. “Well, if you ever need help ferreting out conspirators, let me know. I’m very good at finding and extracting information.”
I grin at the former assassin, though I doubt his elevation to King of the fae has stopped the man from keeping his deadly skills honed.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
We drop the topic, choosing instead to speak of happier things—mainly our women.
I try to stay focused, but I can’t keep my eyes from flicking over Ash’s shoulder, watching the daylight slowly fade. He keeps talking, telling me tales that I’m sure are well embellished, but I recognize he’s trying to distract me, and I’m grateful.
Then, the magic in the room swells, the firelight flickers before getting brighter. My guards step into the room, and the crowd parts as they march down the center, each wearing their black leather armor with my flame symbol over their right breast. Arvun, Undreth, Hiti, and two others flank the aisle leading to the empty rug at the end of the hall. Syphe comes in last, her copper hair pulled back into her customary intricate braid. She smiles at me with a nod as she joins her fellow guards.
