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“Let me start by saying that the work all of you have done here on Earth to restore it is remarkable. During our travels through the galaxy, we only ran across one world that can match its beauty. That world was called Denar.” Oberon has everyone’s attention now, including mine. “The Denarans were unique beings filled with magic.” He looks several people straight in the eyes before continuing. “Unfortunately, their atmosphere lacked the oxygen we needed to survive there, but they shared what they could with us before we left. They gave us something we call the Catalyst.”
“What is that?” a woman who is obviously enraptured by Oberon’s story asks.
He gifts the inquisitive young woman with not only a smile but also an answer. “It’s a sphere of nearly unlimited magic. Each of their city’s leaders had one.”
“Why would these Denarans simply give you something that powerful?” a man asks, sounding skeptical that Oberon’s story is true.
“They gave it to us because the alternative was the utter annihilation of their city.”
Quite a few in the crowd gasp in horrified surprise.
“Didn’t the dark fae leave because you didn’t like King Elrod’s handling of the situation here on Earth?” the same man who asked the previous question presses. “Threatening to destroy a city on another world to get what you wanted sounds a bit hypocritical.”
“Leaving was my father’s decision,” Oberon reminds everyone. “I am not my father. If I have to use force to protect my people, I will. Every king should be prepared to do whatever is needed, even if that means doing the unthinkable. For me, this is not a popularity contest. I don’t really care if you like me. All you need to know is that I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe from all dangers, whether they come from outside or inside this city. I don’t want to be your friend. I want to be your king.”
Oberon bows his head to the crowd, signally his speech is done.
My father clears his throat. “On that note, why don’t we end any further speculation and allow all the lords to vote for the man they want as their king.”
Oberon returns to my side without saying a word to my father. His slight doesn’t go unnoticed.
“Bold move, King Oberon,” Aubri says. “The promise of unlimited magic should win you a few votes.”
“We can hope,” he says as he holds out his hand to her. “And you are?”
“This is Aubri. She’s my best friend so you might as well get used to her brashness.”
Aubri and Oberon shake hands.
“Emily always thinks I should keep some of my thoughts to myself, but what’s the point of that? My parents taught me to speak up if I have something to say, just like I do now.”
With a tilt of his head, Oberon peers at my friend with interest. “I assume that means you have something you would like to say to me.”
“Exactly right. Considering the fact you will be marrying the one person in this city I actually care about, you need to know that I’ll kill you if you break her heart.” Aubri’s statement is so matter-of-fact, there’s no reason to doubt her words. “After everything she’s been through, she deserves true happiness. Do you plan to give that to her or not?”
Oberon glances my way. His eyes hold a promise of forever that’s only meant for me.
“I can promise you,” he tells her, “that I will always remain faithful to only her. No matter what happens or where we find ourselves, her happiness will for all time be my main priority.”
“I’ll make sure you keep that promise.” Aubri points her index finger at him.
“I would expect nothing less.”
Aubri grabs a glass of red wine from a passing servant. “Okay, you two, I’m going to go see if I can convince a few of the lords loyal to King Elrod to vote for you. Wish me luck.”
“Good luck,” I say before she heads off into the crowd to work her magic.
“I like her,” Oberon says. “She seems to care about you deeply.”
“We’ve been friends for quite some time. Aubri was one of the only people I let back into my world after my husband’s death. She practically helped me raise Jack. I’m not sure what I would have done without her friendship.”
“Now you have two people you can rely on.” Oberon reaches for one of my hands and I readily give it to him.
“I’m thankful for that. I wasn’t sure I would ever want another man in my life.”
Oberon smiles slyly. “Oh, I know you want me. That was quite obvious earlier.”
“Don’t get too cocky.”
