Sapphire steps closer to me, her elbow nearly touching mine.
My magic hums in response, although I keep my focus trained on my father. It would only take a moment of distraction for him to get in another strike.
“You are corrupted!” he says unleashing a storm of ice shards that slam against my shield. The impact rattles me to my core, but I hold my ground, dragging Sapphire behind me.
“The only reason I’m not slicing him with the Star Disc is because of you,” she murmurs so only I can hear.
“Smart girl,” I whisper back, letting my shield ease just enough to study my father’s face.
If he loses control completely, the only person allowed to end him isme.
The ice around my heart thickens at the thought.
“Father,” I say, my voice carrying the weight of authority I’ve earned through blood and sacrifice, “Sapphire is not a traitor. She’s the Summer Princess. And she’s my wife.”
His eyes narrow, and the ice storm around him grows.
“Remember when you mistook her for Queen Lysandra?” I press, stepping forward, feeling Sapphire just behind me. “Your instincts were generally correct. Because Sapphire is Queen Lysandra’s daughter, therefore making her the Summer Princess.”
His posture shifts.
“Explain,” he demands, and as he sits on his throne, the ice daggers rising from the floor quiver and melt slightly.
Even madness can’t dull his political senses enough to ignore the ramifications of killing the Summer Queen’s daughter.
I need to take hold of his moment of clarity anduse itbefore it’s gone.
“Everything I’ve done has been to protect our court from the threats beyond our borders,” I say, as calm and measured as always.
Ice erupts from around the throne.
“I want to know about the Summer traitor,” my father threatens, his voice rising.
I nod, letting no emotions show through. After all, the best way to prevent my father’s outbursts is to not antagonize them in the first place.
“Sapphire was a changeling.” My voice is steady, although my magic thrums beneath my skin, bracing for his reaction. “The strongest, most gifted changeling I’ve ever encountered.”
My love for her is breaking through with every word I speak, but honestly, I don’t care. Let them see it. Let it carve its way intotheir frozen hearts and prove that love, when wielded correctly, can be the deadliest of weapons.
My father’s eyes narrow, calculating and suspicious, but listening.
“Sapphire’s magic was necessary for a project of mine,” I continue, “one I believed would strengthen the Winter Court against the threats circling our borders.”
My father’s gaze flickers.
I can see the question forming—after all, he’s aware that winter fae are being stolen near the borders as much as I am—but I press on before he can ask.
“My intention was always to get Sapphire out of this court and use her to our advantage. So, when the knights attempted to stop me, I made a choice to protect my… investment.” I don’t soften the words, and I don’t apologize. He wouldn’t respect that. He’d perceive it as weakness. “Upon arriving at the Summer Court, we met with Queen Lysandra. She offered us a deal—an alliance between our courts, uniting our magic to fend off what lurks beyond our realm. But she had one condition.”
I raise my hand slowly, showing him and everyone else in this throne room the mark that glows around my ring finger.
Sapphire mirrors the motion.
“We married,” I declare. “Which makes us the Prince and Princess of the WinterandSummer Courts.”
