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D’Artaron cuts me a look. “It means nothing. Self-proclaimed fae kings never last. Ascending kings are always acknowledged by others. The Unseelie courts and Summer Court acknowledged you, which puts you on the throne.”
“I didn’t realize the Unseelie king was aware.”
“You might recall King Et’enne mentioning Augusta.”
I clear my throat. “Yes.”
“Since that’s Aamako’s wife, I presume he knows and approves, or we wouldn’t be alive right now.”
“Good point.”
He pauses. “Thank you. There is the matter of the Spring council, which will want their say in matters of the throne.”
“Whose side will they be on?”
“Not yours.”
“Oh no.” I chew my lip. “What about the royal guard?”
“What about them?”
“Most of the males are from our province. Surely, they’ll be on our side.”
He shakes his head. “Most of the military is from our province. The guards are from the king’s province. Some from the queen’s.”
“Is that why you never went to the Spring Court as a guard?”
Again, he pauses. “Yes and no. I went to King Et’enne because I knew he would value my skills. The Spring king already had a captain. Besides, I’m a military commander, not the captain of the guard. I dislike guarding royals.”
“Thank you, D’Artaron. Tell me how you really feel about this assignment.”
He smiles.
Fates, he’s beautiful.
I look away. “What will you do with the guards?”
“Whatever you wish me to do with them.” He drops to one knee and offers me a green ribbon. “With this ribbon.”
I stare at the ribbon in his leather-clad palm. He’s taking an oath. To protect me. Oh my fates, I might faint.
“Come on,” he says. “Repeat it.”
I accept the piece. “With this ribbon.”
“I appoint you, D’Artaron of Northorn,” he says, teal eyes as bright as blue flames.
“I appoint you, D’Artaron of Northorn.”
“The Queen’s Blade.”
“The Queen’s Blade.” I loop the ribbon between the chains running along the edge of his shoulder armor, then tie it into a bow. I let the loose ends hang down to his elbows.
D’Artaron takes my hand and squeezes. “Do not be afraid.”
“I’m not afraid for me. I’m afraid for the people standing in your way.”
The commander smiles again. My first act as queen will be to outlaw his charming smile. I stare at his dimples, his beautiful face, and note when his eyes droop as I lean forward and sniff him again.
