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“Never wakes up?” I finished, when she’d hesitated to ask the question. “I don’t know, Esme. I know if he doesn’t wake up, I won’t only become the monster this world needs. I’ll become the one it seeks to put down after I’ve destroyed Hecate.”
“Let’s hope it never comes to that,” Killian said, alerting us to his presence. “Brander said he’d like to speak with you. I think you’ll want to hear what he’s come up with.” A trickle of fear rolled down my spine as I turned to look at Knox.
“I’ll stay with him, Aria,” Siobhan offered as she moved into the chamber behind Killian. Her eyes slid over Knox’s slumbering form, then drifted back to me. “Don’t worry, he’ll be okay. He’s the king, he always bounces back.”
That was my worry. What if this time, he didn’t? What if Hecate had taken steps to ensure he couldn’t come back? She’d sent him to kill me, but what if she’d considered that he might not win? If it were me, I’d have done everything possible to prevent the chance to lose. My only hope was that she’d been cocky.
Kissing his forehead, I leaned against his ear to whisper. “You’re going to be a daddy. Do you hear me? You have to come back to me. There’s no one else who can teach them to be as honorable, selfless or savage as their daddy. You’re my ever after, Knox Karnavious. We’re written in blood. Remember? It’s time to wake up and help me bathe this world in blood, as you promised me we’d do.” Placing my forehead against his, I sent a silent prayer to any benevolent god listening, to bring him back to me.
“You’re still pregnant?” Esme asked, dropping her regard to my flat abdomen, then rolling it back up to my face.
“I believe so,” I muttered. Was I still pregnant? I didn’t know, but I hadn’t felt any cramping, nor had I bled. There was no pain or pressure like last time, and Ember had been silent since I woke. So, until I could confirm it either way, I’d continue to hope I was.
“Do you think you should maybe sit this fight out?” Lore asked, but whatever he saw burning in my eyes caused him to clear his throat and then scratch the back of his neck. “Right. I didn’t think you’d want to do that, but I can’t help but think about the last time.”
“Last time, I was betrayed by those who walked me into the battle. I no longer follow. I lead, which means I won’t take any unnecessary chances when I lead us against the citadel.”
“I’ll gladly follow you into a fight, Aria,” Killian said firmly, which caused a tightening in my chest. “You know I was never your biggest fan. But after watching you with Knox, I know you’re not trying to fuck us over. He wasn’t wrong when he said you would be the queen to his king. I couldn’t imagine someone else better suited to be the woman standing beside my king, my brother in arms, and my brother.”
“Thank you, Killian. You’re not so bad either, you know?” I returned. “I’m ready to see Brander, if you want to take me to him.” I glanced back at Knox’s unmoving form, forcing myself to allow Killian to lead me through the palace, then to Brander.
Chapter Thirty-four
Aria
Branderwasn’tinthelibrary. Instead, Killian walked me through the halls crowded with people. They stared at us as we walked by, everyone seeking to catch a glimpse of the unseated queen, was my guess. Aurora and Celia had worked together to ensure I’d been removed from Knox’s life. They’d annulled our marriage by coercion, which had deposed me from the throne. Every step I took was met with whispers said behind hands or withered glances that refused to hold my eye. A ruthless smile played on my lips because I spared them not a moment more of my attention.
Killian entered the throne room, which caused my heart to sputter. There, upon the raised dais, sat the throne of skulls. The one which used to give me nightmares. The same one he’d promised I’d watch grow. Behind it were piles of skulls that I’d sent him. I wasn’t sure what was more romantic; that he’d kept them, or that he’d built a matching one for his queen.
“We took a vote, Aria.”
Brander’s words pressed my stare to where he stood beside his brothers. Killian moved over to stand beside the brothers, who were all gathered together beside the thrones. Swallowing down the uneasiness, I tilted my head, smiling as I realized it was what Knox normally did when I spoke.
“And what was up for vote?” I asked without the curiousness I felt at hearing that they’d voted.
“We think you should ascend,” he stated, which caused even more confusion to flitter through my mind. “Knox is the king, even if he isn’t here. You’re his queen. Not by marriage, or by force, but by choice. Dragons mate for life, as you know. You’re his mate, Aria. Regardless of status, papers, or banners being read, you are the other half of his soul. I’m not strategic. If you need a healer, I’m your guy. But I don’t have the mind to play war games. In order for us to allow you to lead dragon warriors into battle, you must ascend the Throne of Dragons.” Brander nodded at the thrones, smiling tightly.
“I’m already a queen.”
“That’s true,” Zyion stated, smirking as he studied the thrones. “But nothing says you can’t hold both of them. As long as your interest doesn’t clash between kingdoms, you can rule them at the same time.”
“I would prefer Knox make that choice,” I whispered before biting my lip and moving toward the thrones. Running my fingers over the symbol of the one I prayed was Freya’s, I smirked. He’d built a second throne, but he’d also done some remodeling.
The floors were white, which I knew he’d used to paint them red with the blood of those who crossed him. He’s done a three-skull tier around the center height, around the entire chamber, each skull held an obsidian burnt cross in the center of the forehead. On a pedestal, there was a large, misshapen skull. Drawn to it, I paused at the name scrawled on the paper beneath it, written in blood.
Garrett, Former King of Unwanted Beasts. Sentenced to Death by beheading, by the blade of the High King of the Nine Realms, crowned King of Dragons, Knox Karnavious. Crime: Touched the Queen of Hearts, Aria Hecate Prometheus Karnavious.
My eyes pricked with unshed tears. Most people got flowers or jewels, but not me. My guy brought me the skulls of those who’d trespassed against me. Knox knew the way to my heart, that much was certain.
“When?” I asked, spinning to look at the men.
“He hunted him down the week before Lore was captured. Knox said he wouldn’t allow anyone who’d promised you harm to remain in any of the Nine Realms. There are more, but if we’re to strike, we need to crown you and announce it to the people.” Killian answered, smirking when he noticed the smile I couldn’t hide, which spread across my face. “He said you’d be pleased with his offering.”
“More than pleased,” I admitted softly, then glanced once more at the bastard who’d tried to rape me.
“I know you’d like to wait for Knox, Aria. But we don’t have time to wait for him to wake up. Zyion reported movement within the citadel. Hecate’s about to make a move. She’s not wasting time. Only the Queen of Dragons can lead us into battle. We cannot follow the Queen of Phoenixes, it’s against the laws of our sovereignty. Until Knox changes it, our hands are tied. We’re willing to follow you into battle. You’re literally Knox, but with very nice tits.” Brander stated.
“Knox intended to make you his queen when you returned,” Mateo stated, his dark eyes roaming over my face slowly. “I see no reason not to crown you now. When he wakes up and he’s finally worn you down and made an honest woman out of you, we’ll do the formal ascent.” My heartbeat increased as I moved to the queen’s throne, running my fingers over the smooth, off-white skulls.
