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Dawn collapsed against me, her head resting on my shoulder. I felt boneless, my eyelids struggling to stay open as the room spun around me. Even my arms holding my woman close weighed a ton.
“You’ll be the death of me,” I whispered over the roaring sound of my blood rushing in my ears. “And I couldn’t wish for a more glorious way to go.”
She chuckled and pressed a kiss on my neck. “You’re not allowed to die. Not today, not ever.”
I smiled and tightened my embrace. “I love you, Dawn.”
“I love you, too,” she replied, snuggling even deeper into me.
Chapter 32
Keran
The next two weeks turned out to be both the fastest and the slowest of my entire life. Even though I had resumed training with my men, on the morning of Marghor, I was still nowhere near ready to battle in a free for all. Had it been a one-on-one duel, I felt reasonably confident that I could take down any opponent… aside from Gavin. But today, everyone would come at me first to take me out of the equation before turning on each other.
I felt defeated as I entered the private antechamber in the arena. Here, I could grant small audiences or simply hang out with my family or close friends before stepping out onto the royal box for the event. Despite the luminous stones embedded in the tall dark gray walls bathing the room in a pleasant light, I felt claustrophobic, like the walls of the inevitable were closing in on me.
Through the closed doors, shouts of an already excited crowd seeped through. Every single seat was packed. Marghor always attracted a big attendance, but this one was setting new records. Not a single seat remained vacant. Some people had to stand at the back or sit on the stairs between the rows of benches. I suspected even more people huddled inside their clan’s respective private antechamber to discuss their final plans for today’s event.
I had sent away my guards, needing a moment to gather myself before the rest of my family arrived, which would be any minute now. The fact that I hadn’t managed to see Gavin before these proceedings weighed heavily on me. As much as I prayed that the boy would step up and take on this role for the sake of Braxia until I could take over, guilt also gnawed at me. It was unfair to lay such a heavy burden on such young shoulders. Then again, Gavin was a bit of an old soul. And duty didn’t care about age. Still, if I could spare him dealing with the krillik’s nest that ruling such a chaotic people was, I would do it without hesitation.
My spine stiffened at the sound of approaching steps. I quickly recognized them as belonging to my father. As he was normally far more discreet, that he walked so noisily indicated he wanted to give me a chance to prepare for his arrival. I straightened my shoulders and plastered what I hoped would be a relaxed expression on my face.
The knob turned, then the door opened with a very subtle squeak. My father walked in, looking as fearsome and imposing as ever—the embodiment of everything I had always aspired to be. The softness and affection in his obsidian eyes clashed terribly with his savage features. But they almost broke the stoic façade I was trying so hard to display.
“My son,” my father said, coming to a stop before me and placing both his hands on my shoulders.
“Father,” I replied in greeting.
He studied my features, squeezing my shoulders the way one would to assess sturdiness. Although we were of a similar height and almost identical mass, I suddenly felt like a little boy, weak and afraid.
“Today is an important day,” he said in an almost solemn voice. “Nothing more, nothing less. Whatever happens, I am proud of you, and I have faith in you. You have exceeded everything I ever wanted in an heir. I know what fears eat away at you. I know which worries have the Council beside themselves. Cast them out of your mind. Youwillrule Braxia. If not today, it will be another day. I have done what I could for our world.Youwill make it even greater. Of that, I have no doubt.”
“I am not you, Father. No one can ever be you,” I replied, hating the slight trembling that seeped into my voice.
“Thank the Ancestors!” my father exclaimed as if I had said something outrageous. “You are smarter and so much wiser than I’ve ever been or ever will be. Did you not see how often I have relied on your advice? Did you not notice how I always ask for your views on every conflict before I made a decision? What did you think that was about?”
“Testing me?” I asked in a hesitant voice.
“I just said you were smarter than me. Don’t make me revisit that belief,” he said half-jokingly.
I snorted then gave him a sheepish smile.
“You need to stop setting impossible expectations for yourself. You are more than good enough. You are better than great. My physical strength allowed me to keep this throne at a time where violence could only be broken through violence,” my father said, cupping my cheeks with both hands and his dark gaze boring into mind. “We are entering a new era. The challenges that lie ahead need diplomacy and wisdom, not skull cracking.Youare the man for this. Believe in yourself as I believe in you.”
“I love you, Father,” I said, my throat tight with emotion.
“As I love you, my son. You are my pride and joy. Never forget that.”
He pulled me into his embrace and gave me a long hug, which I returned. This man did not understand what a hero he was in my eyes. I only prayed that I could prove to be half as good a father to my own sons and, Fate willing, to the children Dawn and I would have together.
I released him with much reluctance, nonetheless grateful for the heavy weight his words had lifted off my shoulders. The sound of more steps approaching interrupted us. Moments later Dawn and Mercy walked in, their arms hooked together while they happily chatted. The pleased look on my father’s face reflected the joy blossoming in my heart. I loved how our mates had become sisters. Had today not been Marghor, Hope would also be with them. If not for the very obvious physical traits that marked them as completely different species, you would think they were blood sisters.
“So much beauty in a single room,” my father said looking at the women. “It should almost be deemed illegal.”
“Flattery will almost get you everything, dear husband,” Mercy said teasingly.
“Everything?” he echoed in a suggestive tone that had Dawn blushing, while Mercy cast a mischievous look at her mate.
