Page 115 of Maleen

I shake my head and laugh. “Mel was definitely the reason you were forgiven faster.”

His smile turns sad as he lets out a breath. “She had a way with people.” He glances at the doors where the music seems to be getting louder. “She would have loved this.”

I nod. “She would have.” A memory sits on the tip of my tongue but I can’t place it. The feeling is warm before it slides away to be forgotten once more. “Where’s Cynder?” I ask Lennox, knowing he hasn’t wanted to leave her side much.

Talyn shuffles behind me and I can sense his annoyance through the bond. “I thought you would be all over Cynder like Nero on a set of fresh eyeballs,” he growls.

I roll my eyes, still ever protective of the poor female.

Lennox mumbles something under his breath before saying, “She’s with the Raiders inside already. She’s not really a fan of all of this.” He waves his hand around, gesturing to the castle and all the pomp that comes with being a royal.

I laugh. “No, you’re right. As much as I would like her here, I don’t want to make her uncomfortable.”

He smiles gratefully and nudges Roz’s arm, whispering something to him.

“I’m worried about him,” I mutter and Aemon pulls me in for a hug.

“He’ll be okay. Now, can we talk about how ravishing you are in this dress?” He spins me toward him and all my mates are staring at me with heated gazes.

Ember, Cynder and I decided to go dress shopping together in the city of Maleen, and when I saw the dress, I knew it was the perfect one. It’s black, yet shimmers like snow in the moonlight, with roses embroidered into the tulle. The silver metallic stitching woven along the corset reminds me of lightning, and of course it wouldn’t be complete without a snowdrop corsage fastened to my wrist. A piece of each of my mates, just like my bonding mark that covers my side.

“I can’t wait to take it off you after the night is over,” Killian grumbles, running the back of his knuckle along my cheek.

Ember’s voice pulls me from the dirty thoughts before they could form. “Okay, places! The door is opening in three, two, one…”

The giant doors open silently and the noise from within slowly quiets as the musicians’ music changes to a more ceremonial melody. Voices hush, and a sea of fae turn toward us as Ember hurries in and whispers to the announcer.

“The Queen and Kings of Damorleia! Queen Ravina-Maeven Pendroko. King Aemon Pendroko, King Killian Pendroko, King Jesper Pendroko and King Talyn Pendroko!” He slams his staff to the ground twice and I clear my throat, glancing at Nero and back. The announcer turns red and quickly adds, “And The Queen’s familiar, Nero, the Great Eyeball Collector!” Then he slams his staff again and the room bows, making a pathway to the thrones for us.

That was one of the first changes I made. My mates and I are equals, and it never felt right to me that the Queen’s mates were called consorts. Since we are bonded, they all decided to take my last name, and I can definitely say that I don’t hate it. Plus it’s another reminder to the public that my males broke ties with the lords and their traitorous ways.

“He forgot about me. He is on the list to be watched now,” Nero adds, eyeing the male as if he’s plotting on how to retrieve his next eye.

“Nero…” I sigh, knowing it’s pointless to try to dissuade him.

We enter and make our way to the thrones, and once we sit, the music and partygoers continue, rising from their kneeled or curtseyed positions.

I sigh in relief—the most nerve wracking part is over, and now it’s time to socialize. But first, the entertainment.

Right on cue, a thundering sound reverberates around the room, and everyone turns to see the dragons outside in the sky, their fire, gas and shadowflame combining, weaving through each other, making a magickal display of power and beauty. Pixies and fairies fly around, dancing in sync with the dragon’s display above. It’s utterly mesmerizing, and I can’t help but reach out to my bonds, enjoying the comfort of them in my chest, knowing that this is going to be our lives forever. At the head of the aerial formation flies Vasari, glorious in her purple splendour, sparkling in the setting sun—no wonder she wanted me to scrub her scales clean. She’s absolutely stunning. Although she pretends not to want to be stared at by hundreds of fae, Vasari looks truly happy, and she wears her royal title of Dragon Queen with pride, especially now that the dragons are free to come back to Phixmery and begin bonding with riders again.

After I assimilated the Stone and its brainwashing was nullified, all beings held mentally captive returned to normal, and dragons all across the realm and of every color were united under their true ruler for the first time in decades. Among the ones flying here, I even see Katar, the white dragon of Aemon’s father, who was finally able to rejoin his rider after we found and released him and others from a dragon prison below Craven’s castle after the war was over. He was kept alive so that his rider could be used eventually, once Craven won. Thankfully that never happened.

As the spectacle finishes, Aemon’s parents are the first to arrive in front of us, their faces lighting up with how proud they are. Amethyst clings to her mate, looking years younger than the female I remember first meeting in Vathia. “Your Majesty,” she smiles, dipping into a curtsy. “This is such a beautiful ball, and we are honoured to attend.”

I wave her off. “Amethyst, you don’t have to be formal with us. You’re my mother by mating. How are you doing? How are things in Vathia?”

She smiles up to Lord Zorn—the only Lord of the pre-war times who still holds the title. “We are doing well. It’s been a work in progress cleaning up the front lines and moving fae back into their homes, but everyone is happy.”

A soft smile crosses my face. “Any problems with fae upholding the new laws?”

“A couple, but don’t worry. They are being handled swiftly,” Lord Zorn says. “Your parents would be so proud of you.”

We talk for a bit longer, and they take their leave to go enjoy the ball. My mates and I talk with many others, and I feel my energy starting to wane. I’m just glad I don’t have to dance, otherwise I would definitely be dead on my feet.

Cynder, the Safir Raiders and Lennox—who slipped away to find her after we entered the ballroom—come up next. I stand and pull my sister into a hug, but when I pull back I see her face and I have a feeling I know what’s about to happen. “Is everything okay?” I ask, eyeing the males with her.

Jesper greets Evander and it brings a smile to my face to see them not at each other’s throats any longer.