“That’s his aim,” I said, pieces locking together. “He’ll blame Nienna.”
Fallione squinted, confusion tightening his features.
“He knows. Gods, Tallon is deceptive.” Unease settled low in my gut. “He had him stay. Verad will provoke me, force my hand. When I move against him, he’ll claim I’ve changed, that my queen has warped me into someone else. He wants to use my anger to incite fear among my people.”
Greaves let out a long sigh. “So the bastard left behind the one man most willing to put his life on the line.”
Tallon was no fool. Neither was Egath.
“And he shall die for it.” My jaw clenched tight as I met Fallione’s stare. “If he refuses fealty, I will take his head before the entire court.”
“Prune the tree before rot spreads,” he agreed. “Still, Radaan needs assurance that you remain unchanged.”
“I called on Elohios during battle.” I reclined in my seat, fingers drumming along the table.
“Witnessed by soldiers alone. Tallon ensured you stayed distant, unseen by the city. I advise a public display of Nienna’s loyalty to our gods, her submission to their blessing.”
If only they knew about the Celebration of Life. It wasn’t as if we could summon a mammoth on command.
Fallione nodded once. “I propose a Radaanian wedding—”
Greaves slowly turned toward him, his skepticism evident.
Draconis vows already bound us—she wore the mantle. That should’ve been enough. Yet such a ceremony would allow the people to see her, to know her. She prepared for this once before, under Tallon’s hand. She knew the steps, the protocol.
“—In the old ways.”
I frowned. “Not as I wed Eldeiade.”
“Predating your grandparents.” He dipped his quill into the inkpot. “One hundred seventy years back. Perhaps one-eighty. Records mention a rite when a king took a queen and proved the gods’ favor.”
Apprehension gnawed at the fraying edges of my sanity. She was the Dragon’s Heart. If this demanded divine blessing, I couldn’t be sure they would answer.
“She could call on Veridis,” Fallione said. “But the blessing would come through you. Afterward, no one could claim she cursed you. No voice would dare challenge it.”
I had no doubt that she would try. Nienna would give anything to see Radaan’s peace restored.
She would do anything for me.
That thought speared my heart. The question wasn’t if shewould—but whether I had the right to ask it of her. Everything I did was meant to lift her in my people’s eyes. If I fell, she could rule by dragonfire alone. Still, I wanted them to love her as they once loved me.
“Bring me the details,” I said. “I won’t decide without seeing it on paper.”
“Of course.” Fallione gathered his things. “I’ll ensure the nobles are assembled. Send for me if needed.”
Greaves’ knee struck mine as the advisor departed. When the door closed, he turned, his discipline slipping. “You’re not going after Tallon.” Accusation edged his voice.
“I will.” I dipped my chin, reading the fury he kept leashed.
“He’s plotting, laying a trap. And you’re choosing not to pursue him.”
My stare hardened. “Radaan must settle first.”
He shook his head, words forming, then dying. “Tallon isfleeing, Kal. You should go after him.”
“You think I don’t want to?” I leaned forward, teeth bared. “I want nothing more than to gut the man who carved open my wife and poisoned my people. Ten years ago, I would’ve chased him without pause. But I refuse to abandon my kingdom to chaos.”
Pain flickered across his face. “He went too far. His mind mirrors his mother’s.”
