Greaves fastened the last chain of my mantle, his hard brown eyes locked on mine. His fingers lingered at the clasp, full of the things he couldn’t say out loud.
I wasn’t replacing him. This was no trade. I was taking a wife—a partner who could stand beside me in court, speak her mind, bear the throne’s weight with me. He would still be there, always behind me, silent and steady. A shadow in my wake. A blade in the dark.
I placed my hand over his, gripping hard before letting go. He didn’t need words. He knew his role—protecting me, guarding Nienna. After a moment, he stepped back and dropped into a deep bow.
My chest tightened. He did it to honor me, but all I wanted was to pull him upright and hold on.
My whole life was about to change, but he’d remain. The constant I could always count on.
Draped in Radaanian green, my mantle polished to a gleam, I strode from my rooms toward the throne room. The space was packed—children perched on shoulders, civilians pressed shoulder to shoulder, eager to fill every last gap. They resembled restless sheep in their excitement. The walls remained bare for now—festivities would come later.
Jaw clenched, I cut through the crowd toward the bright landing. Nienna stood there with her parents, Argos curled at the edge like a coiled beast. His bulk seemed ready to snap the platform in half. When I approached, he lowered his head just slightly, baring a single fang in displeasure.
“Welcome, Kallias Sunspear,” Nereus called, his palm resting on Nienna’s arm.
“You ask for our daughter’s hand in marriage,” Nyxaria said, lifting her chin. Her pale fingers wound tightly with her daughter’s—a quiet reminder that it wasn’t just her father giving her away.
“I do.” I stopped before them, ignoring Argos’ grumble. My feet braced wide as I met their eyes. “I negotiated for her name. Earned your dragons’ favor. Found her in the way a man finds his mate. I’ve asked. I’ve come to claim her.”
“Do you vow to protect her,” Nereus said, “as fiercely as a dragon guards its young?”
“I so swear.”
Nienna’s nostrils flared. Her breath caught, eyes glimmering with barely contained emotion. She tried to hold her mask together. Part of me longed to shield her, let her rebuild that wall. The rest wanted to see it crack. I needed that fire inside her unchained.
“And will you give her your unbound love,” her mother asked, “as deep and endless as the ocean?”
Her peridot eyes dared me to falter. One hesitation, and she’d call it all off.
But I already loved Nienna. Our bond had kindled across the sea, igniting a wildfire neither of us could control.
“I so give it.” My chin dipped in respect to her mother’s demand.
“And you, Nienna,” Nereus said, turning to her with both hands holding hers. “Will you take Kallias Sunspear in marriage? Do you wish for this?”
A tight smile curved her mouth. A single tear slipped down her cheek. She was saying goodbye. I would offer her the world, but she would lose part of hers to accept it.
Doubt spiked through my ribs, waiting.
“I ask for nothing less than to be given to the King of Radaan.”
I forced a steady breath, locking my spine as the heat of the sun baked across my shoulders. Sweat beaded along my collar, but I didn’t move.
She turned to her mother. Nyxaria pulled her in, kissed her forehead, then cradled her cheeks. A slow grin. A small nod.
“Then you are given.”
Nienna faced me, cheeks glowing with color. Her smile spread—brilliant and bold. Chin high, eyes fierce. My princess. Born to fill ballrooms and bend nations to her will. She stepped forward with confidence in her stride and dipped into a deep curtsy.
“I, Kallias Sunspear, Chosen of the Gods, Golden Warrior of Elohios, choose Nienna Draconis—the Dragon’s Heart—as Radaan’s queen.” The words rang strong, sure. No tremble. No doubt. I would have her, if she still wanted me.
Fallione stepped forward, a silk-draped pillow in hand. My pulse pounded behind my eyes. One twitch. Then another. Nienna had promised to wear it—but what if she hated it? What if she refused, here, in front of them all?
What if I was making the same mistake again?
I pulled the velvet cover off in a flourish. Sunlight caught on gold, the scales casting radiance across the dark stone. I lifted the smaller mantle. Chains fine as thread, delicate and glinting.
She didn’t flinch. Determination gleamed in her eyes as she met my stare. Her chin tipped upward. Spine straight. She was ready—unlike Eldeiade, she welcomed this.
