We were almost to the back hedge when I heard the wolves. Multiple wolves all joining in some sort of low howl. It sounded...reverent.
What was it about the wolves howling that always got to me? It was a music and cadence only they understood, but I found it beautiful all the same. “This is the first time I’ve ever felt certain the forest is going to be okay,” I admitted to Krew quietly. “The sword. The wolves. The forest.” I shook my head. “We have the announcement in the morning, and then no matter what, I get back to work. Healing this forest.”
“Not without me you don’t,” Owen said with a wry grin.
I smirked. “Of course not. If I’m not mistaken, the forest and wolves have grown on you too.”
Owen snorted. “Fine. Maybe a little.”
I laughed. “Fine.”
Keir threw an arm around Krew’s shoulders. “I think we all get to work tomorrow, no matter what. Healing ourselves, Wylan, and then eventually, maybe even the whole damn realm.”
“Lofty yet honorable goals,” Krew laughed. “And quite the list.”
“Together,” Keir added. “No matter what?”
Krew moved to hug his brother. “Of course.”
We were going to be okay. Krew and I. Owen. Keir. Gwen or Delaney or whoever Keir married. Wylan. All of us.
As soon as we were back in Krew’s wing, Krew placed the bloom gently into my half empty water glass on my nightstand and wasted no time kissing me senseless. I was soon clawing at his clothes and gasping for air. It was late, so late we should just sleep given the seriousness of the announcement in the morning. We could be becoming king and queen. Or we could be tasting the disappointment of Keir becoming king instead of Krew. Either way, we needed sleep for what was sure to be an emotional day.
“Krew,” I panted.
He leaned down to trail kisses up my neck before whispering in my ear, “If you thought I was insatiable before, when I thought I was living off borrowed time, you are about to find out that now forever is ours, there is only one thing I really want.”
“The throne?” I joked.
His body crashed into mine. “You.”
Feeling his love andwantdown the bond, there were no other words that needed to be said. Tomorrow we would find out if Krew would become king. If I would become queen.
But tonight? Tonight, this was enough. And no matter what the morning brought; it would always be enough. I had never chosen the crown, but I would always choose Krew.
CHAPTER47
The sound of the people below was surprisingly loud. The doors were shut for now, but the chatter and excited energy was still heard through the walls and windows, making the castle feel more alive than I had ever felt it.
I had peeked out a window minutes before to find the crowd of people who had decided to come up the mountain to Kavan Keep reaching as far as I could see. Instinctively, the people knew to stay away from the forest. Likely because they were still afraid of it. But the streets and the gardens were filled to the brim with people everywhere. From around a lady fanning herself with a small book, I saw a child on his father’s shoulders among the crowd. Children were even being included in this day.
We all were.
Keir was there with us, but with neither Gwen nor Delaney. Krew and I had a discussion telepathically and decided to leave it alone. Maybe he was finally taking Krew’s advice and decided not to rush his decision. Or maybe with taking the sword out to the forest the night before, there just hadn’t been time for him to make his decision. Either way, Keir was there alone in his black-on-black tailcoat.
I was wearing a mauve gown with vines and flowers sewn into the top portion in jewels, Krew was in a black tailcoat and gray textured vest next to me. All three of us wore crowns on our heads, but those of princes and princess. The larger crowns belonging to the king and queen sat on a table in open boxes, nestled on royal blue satin and waiting for the new king and queen.
If Krew really was crowned king, I was demanding a new crown to be made and that one to be burned or melted down and destroyed. Or maybe I’d take it to the forest to see if it wanted the honors.
Ready, love?
No,I answered honestly.
He leaned over and brushed a kiss to my temple.Either way, Wylan will thrive now that my father is gone.
I gave him a nod. He was right. We both wanted this. We wanted to be a part of leading Wylan out of Theon’s era, but we also didn’t have to be king and queen to do so. We’d maybe even have more freedom to help if we weren’t the ones in charge.
No matter what, it was all going to be okay. Wylan was going to be okay.
