I lifted my foot clear, laughter spilling out at the sight of a tiny golden kid glaring up at me. Blue eyes blinked. Long ears flicked. It bleated in fierce protest.
“Begging your pardon, Your Majesty!” A woman pushed through the crowd, glancing nervously at the guards as she scooped up the goat. “Since the siege, they’ve run amok in our streets.”
“Where is its dam?” I asked, waiting until she cradled it to her chest before stroking the downy hair.
A shadow crossed her features. “Too many lost their mothers. We brought the orphans into our homes and down to the Heart.Bottle-fed them. Seems they believe the city belongs to them.” She tapped its nose with fond exasperation. “No respect.”
The kid burrowed into her faded green dress. Alone once, now sheltered within the mountain’s belly.
“Scythe,” I murmured.
That little creature had everything it knew on the surface ripped away, but down here it gained something more. It was loved and adored. Cared for and cherished. Much like I had been when I first arrived in Radaan. I lost a friend, but gained a kingdom.
“Her name will be Scythe.” Authority rang clear in my voice as I smiled at the fuzzy animal.
The goat turned its delicate head and bleated as if in agreement.
“She will be blessed. Thank you, Your Majesty.” The woman bowed before retreating into the crowd. Those nearby leaned close to stroke the animal, joy bright in their expressions before their gazes lifted back to me.
I slipped my hand into Kallias’. Pride warmed his features, cornflower-blue eyes alight with quiet triumph as he led me deeper into Sol.
Into the heart of Radaan.
Our kingdom.The end.
Epilogue
Kallias
Tsunami’s roar shook the rafters, sending dust from centuries past drifting into the air. I threw the report down, glaring at the ceiling. Frustration coiled in my chest as I shoved my chair back, determined to have Nienna quiet the beast. I stormed across my study, yanking the door open.
Freya stood in the hall, hand raised as if to knock.
I glared at the temporary kingsguard stationed in the corridor. “If I must tell you that you’re free to enter without knocking one more time–”
The blasted dragon shrieked again, rattling the portraits along the walls.
“Is she tearing the palace apart?” I demanded, straining toward the window.
“The queen is in labor, Your Majesty.”
My brain stuttered, calculating how to respond. Summon the healers—Edith would have been with her. Call Gayle—the elderly woman had taken Nienna under her wing, surely already waitingin her rooms. Visit her? No, a husband was only in the way during labor, long and grueling as it could be.
Freya’s mouth pinched into a nervous smile. “Do you have a request?”
“See to your queen.” I shook my head and closed the door without waiting for a response. See to your queen? What else could her maid do?
I paced the room. Gaius if it was a boy—Nienna had fixated on that name after discovering it belonged to my great-grandfather. Talathia, if a girl. At least I’d chosen that one. My mind swarmed—I should summon the scribes, have them ready to record the time and day of birth.
The nursery was already prepared. Gayle appointed godsmother. Sarai, the sweet nursemaid with three children of her own, was ready. A governess, educated in multiple kingdoms and fluent in six languages, waited to instruct and comfort.
I blinked, realizing I was staring at the wall.
With frayed nerves, I ran a hand through my hair, tugging at the graying strands. She was young. The best healers in Radaan and Draconia at her side. She would be fine. I would just be underfoot.
A knock tore me from my thoughts, and I threw the door open, half-expecting Freya to hold a newborn.
Clay laughed.
