Black Crown (Darkest Drae, #3)(17)

Lani’s face lit up with joy I’d never seen.

The younger Phaetyn stared for a long moment and whispered, “Sister?”

I stepped back as the surrounding area seemed to hold its breath. A lump rose in my throat as Lani stepped forward and clasped her sister’s forearms.

“Kamini,” Lani answered, her voice breaking on her sibling’s name. “I’m Lani”—she tilted her head back in my direction—“Ryn found me.”

The prince was currently lost for words, so I cleared my throat and said, “Princess Kamini, this is your sister, Lani. She—”

“Queen Kamini,” Kamoi said in a strangled voice.

The words settled like a heavy blanket, a heavy, itchy, uncomfortable blanket. Lani glanced at me, eyes wide. Kamini opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Kamoi’s slack expression made it clear he was reeling although how he could be so stupid to make such a comment was beyond me. He’d asked I find her in the first place. Regardless, I’d come too far to remain silent. I was grumpy without Tyrrik, and we had no time to mince words. I’d been embroiled in their stupid war once; I was not dealing with more Phaetyn lunacy. Success didn’t include this horseplop.

“Yes, she was.” I smiled at Kamini in the way a panther might smile at a chicken. “Kamini, you stepped up when the Phaetyn needed you, and I’m not lessening the magnitude of that. I’m sure the Phaetyn are grateful and all”—she held her hands up in surrender, and I rounded on Kamoi for my attack—“but I believe it was you who said leadership is passed to the female with ancestral powers. You asked me to stay because I had them, and you were the one who encouraged me to find Lani. And now, here she is with the ancestral powers you need.”

Kamoi’s brows lowered, and I raised a finger.

“Don’t waste my time, Prince Kamoi.” I glanced at the princess and nearly-queen. “We don’t have the luxury to waste time.”

Kamini nodded frantically though her gaze slid to check on her cousin in a way that told me she didn’t want to hurt his feelings.

Lani stepped back, chin raised. “I have come to cloak the Zivost Forest once more so our people are safe.”

“Our people,” the prince muttered, his expression dark.

“Kamoi,” I said, my voice dangerously low. “My ears may not be pointy, but I can hear just fine, even better than a Phaetyn in case you’ve forgotten.” The smile I offered when he met my gaze was hard. “I owe you a debt for saving my life the last time I was here, but I won’t let you insult your future queen. You have no idea what she’s been through or how she’s longed to find her people,” I snapped, my fangs elongating with my heightened emotion. “Pull your freakin’ head out of your butt, or I’ll do it for you.”

Khosana? Tyrrik’s voice reached into my mind.

I kept my gaze fixed on Kamoi, my jaw set while mentally answering my mate. Just laying down the law.

Good for you, love.

My lips twitched, and if I had to venture a guess from the way the prince paled, I’d say the gesture looked borderline psychotic. I’m on a roll.

I felt Tyrrik chuckle but kept my attention on the Phaetyn prince.

He held my gaze, nevertheless, his shoulders suddenly sagged, and he dropped his eyes. The prince turned and bowed to Lani. “I apologize most sincerely, Lani. The last few weeks has us all on edge, and I’m afraid stress got the better of me. Please don’t feel unwelcome here. Both Kamini and I are overjoyed with your return home.” He flashed her an apologetic smile I was all too familiar with. “Even if I’m doing a poor job of showing it.”

Kudos to Lani; she didn’t ease up for a second.

“Hmm,” she said, observing him through narrowed eyes. “Your apology is accepted, cousin. However, considering your stress levels may impede the coming discussions, perhaps the next hours are better served resting while Kamini and I decide what is to be done.”

Her voice was laced with steel, and Kamoi looked like he’d dropped his plate of syrup-covered honey cakes.

Don’t laugh in Kamoi’s face. Don’t laugh in his face. A small, wheezing noise escaped my lips, but I kept my expression smooth as I covered my mouth and cleared my throat.

The prince glanced at Kamini, but the younger Phaetyn only had eyes for her sister. He bowed again, back stiff, and his tone was flat when he replied. “Of course. You are very wise, cousin. I will take this opportunity to rest.”

I withheld my snort. Tyrrik, I thought. Lani totally gave Kamoi a verbal beatdown.

Good. About time. If you want to slice his head off, I wouldn’t be opposed.

Not a fan of the Phaetyn prince. Nothing surprising there, and funnily enough, I was siding more and more with my mate. An image flashed through our bond, a Drae-eyed view of the Gemond mountains, and I smiled, realizing Tyrrik was on his way. Where are you?

Only a few hours from Gemond.

Fly safe. Remember—

Remember the emperor was around last night? he asked, amusement floating through our connection. Funny enough, that completely slipped my mind.

I sniffed. Sarcasm is very unbecoming.

I find it sexy.

Umm . . . A thread of heat shot through me, and my mind blanked.

Why did your heart rate just increase? Why is your body warmer?

I’m . . . running. Holy Drae-babies, he could sense my reaction to him from a bajillion miles away?