Black Crown (Darkest Drae, #3)(28)

She was wrong. My certainty solidified as well as my intentions as I thought of what would come next.

My love, Tyrrik spoke in my head. You know what this will mean?

I glanced up at him. Yes. I know. I probably didn’t, but I knew enough. And Draedyn needed to be dethroned. I’m ready to fight in this war, mate. To the end.

The air caught in his throat, and his eyes burned as he changed the subject. You have accepted the M word?

How could I have ever doubted? Yes, I have. Next time I decide we need distance . . .

I’ll lock you in a room and never let you out.

My brows lifted at his tone. I’d been joking, but Tyrrik sounded almost angry as he replied.

Stepping free of his embrace, I approached the hunched Phaetyn and then crouched by her side. She didn’t lift her head even when I reached for her crown.

The intricate circle of metal leaves was surprisingly light, weighing far less than a golden object of its size should. Warm power trickled from the crown, soothing my frayed nerves and minutely stoking my energy. One minute later, and Lani would’ve had the crown on her head and everything could’ve worked out so much differently. She could’ve put up the barrier. Fifty Phaetyn may still be alive.

But thinking that way was pointless now.

I took a deep breath and whispered, “You are the Phaetyn queen, Lani.” I brushed back her silver hair. “And you will wear this crown and be who you need to be, despite what you feel. You’ll do this because your family is in danger and because your people need you.”

She looked up at me, her eyes glistening with tears.

“And you need them,” I added. With that, I gently placed the crown on her head.

Golden light erupted around her, enveloping her small frame. The room jerked and spun, and I gaped to orientate myself as a vice clenched my abdomen. I glanced down and realized Tyrrik held me, his arm around my middle, and my back was against his chest. I glanced over at Lani.

The Phaetyn queen stared at her glowing hands, eyes wide as she rotated her palms.

The air around her body radiated a luminescent gold so bright my eyes began to water. I tried to step out of my mate’s embrace and glanced down.

“Tyrrik,” I said, patting his arm. My feet weren’t touching the ground, and I was dangling like a doll clutched in a child’s arms.

He set me on my feet. “Sorry,” he muttered. “Little bit on edge.”

Obviously. And as soon as we were alone, I’d be making sure he knew none of what happened was his fault.

Lani stood abruptly, and I eyed her askance. She better not go Phaetyn-hate-Drae on us.

“You seem . . .”

“I’m stronger,” she said, still turning her hands over.

Tyrrik stepped close again and asked, “How?”

Lani took a breath and removed the crown. The glow disappeared like blowing out a candle’s light. “When the crown’s on, it’s like I’m touching my tree.”

I walked to her side and peered at the pale-green stone set in the looping golden crown. That’s what had been in the box hidden in Luna’s castle. No wonder she’d kept it locked away. “Do you think there’s a bit of your tree inside?”

Lani placed the crown on her head, and I lifted an arm to shield my eyes from the glare.

“There has to be,” Lani said breathlessly. She closed her eyes, and several seconds passed before she opened them again. In a voice full of awe, she said, “I can talk to the forest through this. They’re welcoming me. Ryn”—her voice tightened—“I’m stronger with the crown. Much stronger.”

“Now you’ll be able to erect the barrier,” Tyrrik said from behind us.

A soft smile spread over her shining face. “Yes. I definitely will.”

Zivost Forest would be protected, and so would the Phaetyn.

Lani frowned. “But how are we going to save Kamini and Kamoi?” she asked, removing the crown once more. “Putting up the barrier doesn’t help us get them back. If Draedyn has them hostage, they’ll be in his empire.”

“Yes,” I agreed. I glanced over my shoulder at Tyrrik. You sure you’re ready for this?

I am. Draedyn’s rule must end.

His conviction joined with my own, and my face firmed as I took Lani’s hand. “We will go to save your family and people,” I said. “It’s time to end the emperor’s reign of terror.”

Lani’s eyes met mine, and her jaw dropped.

I continued, a growl slipping into my words, “We’re going to war.”





12





At Lani’s request, I’d kept to my chamber inside the Rose Castle for the last two days as she regained control of her people. But the time hadn’t been the relaxing reprieve I craved. My mind felt bruised from Tyrrik’s repeated attacks, but he was adamant that if I was able to keep him out, I’d be able to keep my father out too.

So far, Tyrrik had strolled into my mind every single time. No problem. Gone was the time of pulling my energy back into myself to erect a barrier. Our mate bond kept us linked, despite my best efforts to keep him out. Yep, everything was on the up and up.

I lay on the spongey grass underneath Lani’s elm and stared up at the dark sky, the twin moons hidden beneath a canopy of clouds.