Her grin spread, writing her decision into her features. “I was thinking your horses need to get used to dragons. Let me have a field or two. I’ll take them on a picnic, keep them grounded—the horses will grow accustomed to the creatures.”
Caution stabbed my heart. “I’d prefer you inside the palace for now.”
“I’ll be surrounded bydragons.” Her voice dropped, quiet, aware of why I worried. “There’s no safer place for me.”
I traced the bandage running down her neck. “You had a powerful rider at your back, and still this happened.”
“We were trying to negotiate.” She deadpanned. “If a Velli comes near me now, I won’t give them time to speak before they’re roasted like a pig on a spit.”
I drew a long breath, letting it out in a hiss. She was Draconis. No cage could hold her, no matter how badly I wanted one. Palace walls offered security—but how much more? Endless fields, dragons at her side, her brother nearby… wouldn’t that be safer?
“I am not a Radaanian queen, Kallias.” Her palm pressed to my cheek, heat seeping into me. “I belong to the sky and open air. Don’t allow your fear to lock me away.”
She didn’t have to persuade me. She might be my greatest treasure, the one thing I’d risk life and kingdom for—but I couldn’t stifle her.
“I doubt I could cage you if I tried.” I turned, kissed her hand, then rose. “You’ve delayed getting up long enough.”
Her laugh spilled free, light and unrestrained. It warmed something deep inside me. Mountains of tasks awaited, and not all would be easy. We wrested my kingdom back from Tallon, yet that laugh bore no burden. Only joy.
This private space between us—Kallias and Nienna, husband and wife—was worth every risk.
I swung my legs over the bedside and leaned forward, stretching tight muscles. Bones complained. Joints groaned. I clenched my teeth and pressed, forcing the tension to yield. A twist of my torso followed, sharp pops echoing through my spine.
“Tonight there shall be a formal dinner.” I grabbed a tunic before her handmaid arrived. “Tensions will be high. Depending on the noblemen today, there may be executions tomorrow.”
The words chafed my soul. Some had never fully accepted me—not with the war we’d fought for so long. Others despised my stand against the Velli. But none would’ve dared act without Tallon’s encouragement.
And now they would suffer the consequences.
“When will we bury Darius?”
I braced against the vanity, watching the water basin’s surface ripple.
Darius.
Clay.
My friends.
“We’re still clearing Reem.” The words lodged in my throat, my defenses slow to rise in her presence. My vulnerability leaked through, unshielded. “Fallione will organize it for tomorrow. We’ll bury them all and honor him.”
Her chest pressed into my back, an arm snaking around me. “I’m sorry for your loss. He was a good man.”
“Yes, he was. Stubborn old man,” I scoffed. “But a solid friend.”
Cold water stung my hands. I splashed my face and dragged a cloth across my skin, pushing the grief down where it belonged. I would mourn him later, when time allowed.
“Clay isn’t here.”
She stiffened, fingers clutching the sheet around her shoulders. “Fyrn?”
“Also missing.” I faced her, voice low. “Along with a list of soldiers. Fallione is compiling it, but Tallon is at work elsewhere.”
“Then we’ll hunt him.” Fire laced her words. “My dragons–”
I tilted her head, thumb brushing the bandage on her skin. “No. As much as I want to, Radaan needs me. Tonight, we watch the nobles and servants. We’ve secured the kingdom. Whatever Tallon plans, we can withstand it. As you said, we have your dragons.”
“About that…” Her brow furrowed. “I had a question about your blessing. The light.”
