I am Lennox Adair after all. High Queen of Lethenia.
“What are you thinking?” Luka’s hand was firm on my lower back as he pressed my body against mine.
I looped my arms tighter around his neck
“I’m thinking about how happy I am.”
“Me too.” A contagious smile broke out over his face. I loved it when he looked at me like that. It sent heat coursing through my body. It made me feel like I was the only person in the world.
When he looked at me like that—I knew I could do anything with him at my side.
I reached up and pressed my lips against his. “I love you, Luka Rossi.”
“I love you too, Lennox Adair.”
Maybe it was the wine loosening my tongue, or maybe it was my newfound sentimental side, but I didn’t bite back the words, I let them flow out.
“I’d do it all again.” I danced my fingers over the nape of his neck. “I’d do everything over. I’d suffer through every heartbreak and moment of suffering and death—I’d do it all over again if it meant I got to find my way to you. To this moment right now.”
There was a sheen to Luka’s eyes. “Yeah?”
“It was always supposed to be me and you, Luka. Until the stars turn to dust.”
We continued dancing late into the night, everyone did. The ballroom still appeared as packed as it was when we arrived hours ago.
It was like the balls I loved growing up.
“Have you seen Nol?” I asked Kara and Luce. I left Luka on the dance floor in search of a drink and my brother. I’d been waiting all night for a moment alone with him.
Kara shook her head.
“He said he needed some air.” Luce finished off her drink. “He went that way.” She waved her hand in the direction of the door as she reached for another glass
I followed her directions, heading out of the ballroom and down the hallway until I came to the throne room.
I rarely found myself in here. It didn’t have many practical uses, we only used it now for coronations. Mine was probably the last time I was here, over three years ago.
Moonlight streamed through the wall of windows, illuminating my brother’s hunched-over form as he sat at the base of the two massive stone thrones.
My footsteps echoed in the empty chamber as I made my way to Nol, he didn’t look up as I approached, his gaze fixed on his hands.
“I didn’t mean to disappear, I just needed a minute. I’m still getting used to being around so many people.”
I took a seat at his side. “That’s fine, take all the time you need. I wanted to talk to you alone, so this works perfectly.”
I took the crown off my head, the one that had appeared on my head the night I thought he died.
When the Dumani made me High Queen of Lethenia, the title I was never supposed to have.
“Here.” I passed him the crown.
“What’s this?” His brows pinched.
“It’s a crown, duh,” I knocked my shoulder against his. “Take it, it’s yours. I won the war. My parts done. I figured you’d want it back now.” I had debated back and forth what would happen now, but the decision was clear. The title was supposed to be Nol’s, it only made sense I would give it back to him. Even if the decision made me feel uneasy. I had accepted my title, I never thought I’d find myself giving it up. And now that I had to—it made me feel conflicted. Being High Queen had become a part of who I was—giving thatpart up wasn’t easy. But it wasn’t my title to claim anymore.
He shook his head and pushed my hand away. “I don’t want it.”
“What do you mean?”
