A Kingdom of Blood and Betrayal (Stars and Shadows #2)(61)

I felt Evren’s magic churn against my own, calling to me, coaxing me to behave, but it wasn't that simple.

“Evren is my mate. He is my prince and my future husband. You being my queen does not eclipse any of those facts. I will show Gavril that I am deeply devoted to my mate, because I am.” I didn't let my gaze fall from hers. “Will others have trouble showing the same devotion?”

Queen Veda opened her mouth to speak, but I wasn't finished.

“A prince born of blood. Another of power,” I quoted the prophecy to her that I hadn't been able to forget since Evren told me, and I saw her blink in confusion. “We are fighting a war of two queens, but the prophecy speaks of neither. The fate of our kingdom lies with your son, and it will be him and him alone who determines what role I play in it.”

I finally let my gaze fall from her, and it fell back on Evren who was watching me. His gaze was dark and full of lust, and it made me ache with the memories of what he could do to me.

He raised my hand in his, his gaze never falling from mine, as he pressed his lips against my knuckles. My stomach fluttered, and my heart raced as I watched him.

“Gavril will believe that Adara belongs to me because it's the truth.” Evren finally pulled his gaze away from me to look back at the others. “She belongs to me as much as I belong to her, and regardless of what my brother offers in compromise, I will not give her up.”

“And are you ready to face the consequences of that decision?” The queen stared at her son, and I knew what she was asking. Was he prepared to choose me over his kingdom? Was he prepared to let down the people he had sacrificed his entire life to protect?

“There is no doubt in my mind over what I will choose.” Evren's magic snaked along my palm. “So you ought to clear the doubt from yours and prepare yourself for war if that's what it takes. I will go to war for my kingdom, and I will go to war for my mate.”

My chest tightened as I took in his words, as I took in the promise he had just delivered, but it was the next words that made me feel like I couldn't breathe.

“As will I.” Thalia's voice was sure and left no room for argument. “I will choose Adara, and I will go to war for her if that's what it takes.”

“As will I.” Sorin nodded in my direction, and emotion welled up inside of me.

“Without question.” Jorah held the queen’s gaze, and it hit me at that moment how much the three of them had come to mean to me. They were Evren’s friends, his advisors, and comrades, but they had also become mine.

“We should hide her.” Queen Veda looked to Evren. “She would be so much safer if we did so.”

“No.” Evren's magic surged, and I could feel it along with my own. “Gavril already knows that she's with me. There is no use in hiding her now.”

“But she would be safer.” She looked to Sorin then back to my mate. “We all know that she is the key to the prophecy and keeping her hidden would be the best plan for keeping her out of Gavril’s hands.”

“I won't hide.” I pressed my boots firmly against the floor as I looked around the table. “The prophecy has made it clear that I will be used by one kingdom or another, but I won't be used by hiding. If I'm to help your kingdom then I am to become a weapon.”

Queen Veda shook her head, and I knew that she didn't agree but it wasn't her decision to make. Evren said that I was to stay at his side, and for me, that meant even when his brother arrived.

“Sorin and Jorah, make sure that our men are ready.” Evren issued the command without looking back at his mother. “We should be prepared for any kind of trick that Gavril could throw our way.”

Sorin and Jorah stood, both bowing their heads slightly in Evren’s direction before leaving the table.

“Thalia, I’d like for you to work with Adara in my room. Make sure she's ready to control all of her magic if the need arises.” He didn’t look at me as he gave her his command.

“Of course.” Thalia stood and looked to me, but I wasn't ready to leave his side.

“But…” I tugged on Evren's hand, and he lifted them and pressed my knuckles against his mouth once more.

“I will meet you shortly.” His gaze never fell from mine. “Stay with Thalia.”

I stood slowly, even though it was the last thing I wanted to do, and my magic reached out for Evren as if it was begging me not to leave. I leaned down and grasped his face in my hands, and I pressed my lips to his before I could think better of it. I kissed him hard and desperately. I didn't care that there were still so many in the room watching us. I didn't care that his mother sat next to him while I desperately clung to my mate.

He pressed his forehead to mine as we broke the kiss, and his breath rushed out against my lips. “You are mine,” he whispered only loud enough for me to hear, but the possession snaked through every inch of me.

“I am yours.” I stood before I could no longer find the will to do so and looked toward Thalia.

She nodded to me once before I followed her from the throne room with the sound of the queen's murmured voice echoing behind us. We pushed through the doors and stepped into the hall, and I took a deep breath that didn't seem to fill my lungs.

“This way.” Thalia led me down the hall but not in the direction of mine or Evren’s rooms. She took me toward the side of the castle I had never been, and I followed behind her dutifully.