In the nearly three weeks since they returned to Cuthbert Palace, life had been nothing short of hectic for Rhett. A few days after their arrival, he organized a memorial service at the city’s temple to honor the lives lost in the war. Though it was arranged at the last minute, the temple in Casshire had been packed. The head priest led the ceremony with prayers, calling out some of the more notable names of the fallen, such as Julian and Emmett.

  However, no mention was made of the twins Amara had lost. But that was done intentionally. If no one knew they existed, then everyone would assume Lilibeth was their daughter by blood, making her the legitimate princess in the eyes of the kingdom.

  Not long after the service, Walden departed for Ruggeweyn. Rhett had offered to go with him, concerned about Walden’s reception, but the general declined. He wanted to return home to speak to his brother alone and gauge his reaction and temperament. He had hoped that Quinn’s anger might have lessened with the war’s outcome and time.

  Eight days after Walden’s departure, a letter arrived from the Viscount himself. It began as expected: congratulations on Rhett’s victory and condolences for his losses. But the formalities stopped there. Quinn confirmed that Ruggeweyn would remain a part of Sylvaris, though he requested a private audience with Rhett in the near future to “clear the air”.

  By the way the letter read, things still seemed tense but not hostile. In fact, Quinn thanked Rhett for promoting Walden to the rank of General, though he added that the title may have already gone to his brother’s head. The note ended with Quinn announcing his intent to visit Casshire in two months’ time, with Walden joining him before heading off to his new post in Jux. Rhett was expected to host them—and, as Quinn wrote, “an apology feast might be a good place to start if you’re hoping to rekindle the crown’s relationship with Ruggeweyn.”

  Rhett had found the letter amusing and fair. He couldn’t argue with Quinn’s reasoning. After all, though Rhett had done nothing to wrong him personally, Julian had. Others in the court had. Now it fell on him to rebuild what had been broken.

  But today, Rhett and Amara stood together in the northern gardens, looking up at the sky. The sound of horns had echoed across the palace grounds minutes ago, signaling the arrival of dragons.

  Amara shielded her eyes from the sun as two dragons descended into the valley. Like his brothers, Marius had dark blue scales with gold accents throughout his body. However, the longer she watched him, the more Amara realized how nearly identical the Vesperan princes looked in their dragon forms. If someone asked her to pick them apart, she was sure to get it wrong. And yet, Rhett and Tristan never seemed to struggle with who was who. They always seemed to just…know.

  Solenya’s dragon, on the other hand, stood out with her bright yellow scales and deep brown markings. She looked like the sunlight coming in through the canopy of a forest.

  As the dragons got closer, preparing to land, Rhett suddenly stepped in front of Amara, pulling her into his arms. He held her tightly, pressing her face into his chest. Startled, she tried to push away, confused by the sudden urgency.

  “Rhett?” She questioned, her voice muffled against his tunic.

  Before he could answer, a burst of light went through the gardens, blinding everything for half a second. A moment later came the sound of a dragon landing nearby, and the ground beneath them shook.

  “What was that?” Amara flinched again, trying to look up.

  But Rhett still said nothing. As soon as the light faded and the shaking stopped, he let her go and turned without a word, walking across the clearing toward the privacy fences where the dragon shifters could change. Tristan joined him, leaving Amara to stand by herself.

  She exhaled slowly, crossing her arms with a sigh. There was no point in following. The reunions with anyone from Vespera always seemed so personal and emotional. Amara felt awkward anytime she was near, thinking she was disrupting the moment.

  When Marius finally emerged from behind the fence, clothed and human, he ran straight ahead toward the men. He pulled Rhett and Tristan into his arms, wrapping them in a crushing embrace. He was larger than both men—taller by a few inches, broader in the chest and shoulders. His dark tunic looked strained across his body, and the curls on his head looked like Kenna’s, though shorter and less glossy.

  Amara stood back, giving them space, watching quietly. Marius leaned in toward Rhett, whispering something to him. She didn’t need to guess—it was likely more condolences. It’s all they seemed to get nowadays—that, and congratulations for winning the war.

  While the men embraced, a young woman approached Amara. She was tall, with olive-colored skin and long waves of dark blonde hair. Her gown was made of various shades of yellows and oranges, but what stood out to Amara were the tiny beads threaded into the sleeves and bodice, sparkling with each step she took.

  The woman stopped in front of Amara, giving her a deep curtsy.

  “Your Majesty,” she said warmly.

  “Princess Solenya,” Amara greeted, nodding her head in return.

  “You are as beautiful as Kenna described,” Solenya smiled as she straightened her back. But then she paused, looking past Amara. “I… I was hoping to meet the little princess. I have heard a lot about her.”

  “Lilibeth’s inside,” Amara replied. “Rhett didn’t want her waiting out here in the wind. She’s still young, and we don’t want to risk her getting sick.”

  “Of course, of course,” Solenya nodded quickly. “I completely understand.”

  Amara glanced back toward the three men who were still speaking near the privacy fence, then returned her attention to the princess.

  “That flash of light earlier—what was that?” She questioned.

  “Oh,” Solenya’s cheeks turned red as she smiled sheepishly. “That was me. Sorry about that. My illumination powers tend to flare up randomly—especially if I’m excited or nervous.”

  “Illumination?” Amara tilted her head, intrigued. “So, you can create light?”

  Solenya nodded, tucking her hair behind her ears.

  “Yes… It’s a form of light manipulation.”

  “That sounds incredible,” Amara said sincerely. “That means you could fly over a battlefield and blind enemies. Or light the way through dark tunnels or mountain passes.”

  “You’re kind to say that,” Solenya murmured, slightly embarrassed. “But I’d have to be able to choose when to use it first. Typically, it just… happens. Sometimes, I glow in my sleep without ever realizing it. Poor Marius has woken up more than once, thinking the sun had come early. I’m still shocked he hasn’t asked for his own chambers.”

  “I’m sure he doesn’t mind nearly as much as you think,” Amara chuckled. She stepped closer, looping her arm through Solenya’s. “Come on. Let’s get out of this wind and wait for our husbands inside.”

  The princess smiled gratefully and walked beside her. But as they neared the palace, she suddenly realized someone else was missing.

  “Where is Tristan’s wife?” She inquired. “Matteo told us she was, in his words, ‘too pretty and too serious’ to possibly be Tristan’s. But I don’t see anyone who matches that description.”

  “Molly Rose is inside on bed rest,” Amara laughed, agreeing with Matteo’s assessment of her friend. “She’s been having mild contractions ever since we returned to Casshire, so the midwife insisted she stay off her feet until the baby comes.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that,” Solenya said, furrowing her brows. “I was hoping to meet her.”

  “And you will,” Amara nodded as they entered the palace. “After we finish with the vassal king business, I’ll take you to see her.”

  “I wouldn’t want to impose…”

  “You won’t be,” Amara assured her. “Molly Rose is going stir-crazy from sitting in bed all day. She would love company—and honestly, I think she’s sick of seeing the same handful of faces.”

  “Well… alright then,” Solenya agreed with a shy smile. “If you’re sure.”

  “I am,” Amara said confidently.

  After several minutes, the men finally entered the palace. Rhett immediately made his way to Amara, but paused beside the princess first, kissing her cheek in greeting.

  “Solenya,” he said warmly, before continuing toward his wife.

  As soon as he reached Amara, he slid an arm around her waist and leaned down to breathe in her scent. It was calming and helped to relax him after his emotional reunion with the prince.

  “Marius,” he said, looking at the man. “I’d like for you to meet my wife, Amara.”

  Marius grinned and stepped forward. Without hesitation, he pulled Amara from Rhett’s hold, embracing her like family and kissing both cheeks.

  “I’ve heard so much about you, little sister. It’s good to finally meet the woman who managed to keep my brother in line. And I see you’ve already met my beautiful wife.”

  “Yes, Her Majesty is very kind,” Solenya nodded as Marius released Amara.

  He turned to his wife then, placing a hand on the small of her back and leaning in to kiss the side of her head. Solenya gave him a small smile as she blushed, but Amara noticed something in the princess’s posture. She stood too straight, too stiff—like someone who wasn’t comfortable.

  Amara said nothing, slipping quietly back to Rhett’s side. She knew all the Vesperan princes had arranged marriages—except the youngest two. Amara wondered how strange it must be to marry a man you hardly knew; to share a name, a bed, a title… everything but love. Was there at least affection between Solenya and Marius? With Jesup and Aliyah, they were madly in love with one another, but this couple looked like the complete opposite.

  But then her thoughts went to Lilibeth. Technically, her daughter was in an arranged marriage as well. The only difference was that they hadn’t selected to whom yet. Still, Amara couldn’t help but feel sad for her daughter. Would Lilibeth grow to love the man they chose for her? Or would she, like Solenya, smile politely while standing stiffly beside him?

  “Little dove?”

  Rhett’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. She glanced up, blinking as he raised an eyebrow.

  “I asked if you were ready to go to my study.”

  “Oh—yes, sorry,” she murmured, managing a small smile. “I was just thinking about Lilibeth.”

  Rhett nodded, then motioned for the others to follow as he walked down the corridor.

  “How about this—once we’re done, you and Solenya can get our littlest love. Tristan, Marius, and I will probably stay behind in the study anyway, talking about a few things that might bore you.”

  “That sounds perfect,” Amara agreed with a nod, glancing over her shoulder.

  Solenya met her gaze instantly. She was already smiling, clearly eager to meet the young princess.

  They arrived at Rhett’s study, where a large round table waited for them on the side of the room. On it was a rolled parchment, several inkwells, blank sheets of paper, and a decanter of wine next to three empty glasses.

  Rhett guided Amara to a chair and helped her to sit down before taking his seat beside her. Across from them, Marius did the same for Solenya, though before he settled in himself, he took her hand and placed it in his lap. Solenya allowed it but said nothing as she let out a quiet sigh.

  Tristan was the last to sit, dropping lazily into his chair with a thud, stretching his legs out beneath the table like a man without a care in the world.

  Rhett reached forward and unrolled the parchment, smoothing it out across the table.

  “This,” he began. “Is the contract for the vassal kingship of Drurus.”

  Marius leaned forward, glancing across the table at the paper. He looked from the heading to the wax seal at the bottom before meeting Rhett’s gaze.

  “The terms are pretty straightforward,” the young king continued, tapping a finger on the parchment. “The appointment lasts for five years. At the end of that term, you and Solenya can renew—or walk away. No pressure, no penalties. Just a clean break if that’s what you want.”

  Amara’s gaze shifted to the princess, who was sitting upright in her chair. She wasn’t paying much attention to what Rhett was saying, but rather, she was looking around the room, more curious about the decor than the matter at hand.

  “If you choose to stay,” Rhett went on. “We’ll renegotiate the terms, or adjust expectations depending on what you both feel is best.”

  Marius nodded, but said nothing yet.

  “There are some additional requirements,” Rhett said, going to the next section of the contract. “For the first two years, you’ll be expected to send monthly written reports to me—updates on Drurus’s condition, the people, military development, conflicts… anything relevant.”

  “And after that? How often should I report to you?” Marius inquired.

  “Twice yearly after the two-year mark,” Rhett confirmed. “Unless there’s an emergency, of course. I trust you to know when something warrants my attention.”

  Marius grunted in agreement before motioning for Rhett to continue.

  “As for the taxes… you’ll retain all collected revenue for the first two years. Drurus needs that time to recover and stabilize. After that, a portion of the taxes—fifteen percent—will be sent to Sylvaris. Five percent will go into our treasury, but the other ten will be used to improve infrastructure between the kingdoms, trade routes, and defense.”

  “Fifteen percent?” Marius repeated, lifting a brow. “That’s… generous, actually. Father and I looked into other vassal kingdoms, and most had to send thirty to forty percent of their taxes to the ruling party.”

  “I’m not wanting to bleed Drurus dry,” Rhett stated firmly. “The people who started the war are gone, and honestly, that’s all I care about. Now, my priorities are to share in the cost of maintaining borders and peace.”

  “You stated something about the military,” Marius commented, rubbing his jaw as he thought to himself. “Am I expected to send men to add to your army?”

  “Right now, no,” Rhett sighed, shaking his head. “Though I do have a clause in here stating that in the event of an external threat to Sylvaris or its allies, we may call upon your people for support. Now, I do expect you to create a militia or a small army. But, as of right now, there will be no mandatory conscription unless war is declared.”

  “Sounds like the perfect partnership,” Tristan interjected with a smirk. “Can we seal the deal already? I’m thirsty.”

  “In a minute,” Marius scowled, shooting him a glare as he extended his hand toward Rhett. “May I see the contract first, please?”

  Without a word, Rhett passed it over. Marius leaned back slightly in his chair, holding the paper out in front of him. He scanned over it quickly, reading the clauses and rules, but after a moment, he glanced at Solenya. However, she wasn’t looking at him.

  He reached out, placing a hand on her thigh. The contact made her flinch—just barely, but enough for Marius to notice. He leaned in closer, arching a brow as he held the parchment in front of her.

  “What do you think?” He inquired softly. “This affects both of us.”

  Solenya blinked, then looked at the contract, though she didn’t really read it.

  “I’m fine with the terms,” she replied after a moment.

  “Are you sure? I don’t want you agreeing to something you’re not comfortable with. We can return to Vespera if you’d rather do that.”

  “No,” she shook her head, finally meeting his gaze. “It’s alright. I’ll do whatever you want to do.”

  He looked at her for several seconds but said nothing more. He returned the contract to the table with a quiet sigh and gave her thigh a reassuring squeeze before turning to Rhett.

  “Alright,” he said. “We’ll accept the role as vassal king and queen.”

  Rhett smiled as he reached for a quill, dipping it into the inkwell.

  “You two will sign first, on the right-hand side,” he said, offering the quill across the table. “Amara and I will sign the left.”

  Marius took the quill, turned it once between his fingers, then handed it to Solenya.

  “Here, little wife,” he said gently. “You sign first.”

  She took it, glancing at him briefly before quickly adding her signature to the parchment. Marius followed, signing beneath hers. He then blew lightly on the ink and passed the contract across the table. Amara signed next, while Rhett’s signature was last.

  As Tristan rose from his chair to get the wine, Rhett lifted a hand.

  “Hold on. There are still two more matters to attend to.”

  Tristan groaned and slumped back into his seat with a dramatic huff. Rhett rolled his eyes and stood, pushing back his chair.

  “Come on,” he said, motioning for Marius and Solenya to follow.

  They went across the room to Rhett’s desk, where two boxes waited. One was square, while the other was long and thin. Rhett picked up the smaller box and handed it to Marius.

  “This belongs to you now,” he said.

  Marius opened the box slowly. Inside was a ring—Drurus’s king’s ring. The band was made of black meteorite, with two ridges of gold along the edges. In the center throughout the ring were fragments of gold leaf among dots of black diamonds.

  He held it in his palm for a moment, staring at it. Then, without a word, he slipped the ring onto his left hand. He flexed his fingers once, adjusting to the feel, before dropping his arm back to his side.

  Rhett opened the second box, revealing two crowns. They weren’t elaborate or fancy like the crowns from larger kingdoms. But they were made from pure silver, with little gold jewels placed throughout. Each crown had the sigils of Sylvaris and Drurus etched into the metal, signifying the union of the two kingdoms.

  “I had these made after we returned home,” Rhett explained, lifting the thinner of the two crowns. “Drurus deserves a fresh start, and in a way, so do you.”

  He turned toward Solenya first, gently placing the crown atop her head. She didn’t flinch this time, though her posture stiffened when it was placed on her hair. Then, Rhett lifted the second crown and placed it on Marius’s head.

  Once the crowns were in place, Rhett stepped back with a smile.

  “There. Now it’s official.”

  Tristan clapped once before jumping to his feet.

  “Finally!” He exclaimed, grabbing the decanter from the table. He filled the three glasses with wine and approached the others.

  But before he could reach them, Marius lowered himself onto one knee. Solenya did the same without hesitation, bowing her head beside her husband.

  Rhett’s expression shifted as he frowned.

  “You don’t have to do this,” he said, quickly gesturing for them to rise. “Please.”

  “No,” Marius shook his head. “As of this moment, we are no longer citizens of Vespera. Our loyalties belong to you now—your crown, your rule. And as such, it’s only right that we bend the knee to our king.”

  Rhett swallowed hard, moved by the sentiment.

  “And I’m honored. But Marius, you are my brother by bond… So please, don’t kneel. Not to me.”

  He reached down, grabbing Marius’s forearms. The vassal king hesitated, then nodded and stood, offering his hand to Solenya. She accepted it, standing to her feet.

  Tristan took the moment to finally step in, holding out two glasses.

  “Your first toast as king and queen,” he grinned.

  “Are you not drinking?” Marius questioned, accepting the glass as he looked at Rhett.

  “He and Amara don’t drink wine,” Tristan explained as his expression dropped slightly.

  “Any particular reason?” Solenya inquired softly, tilting her head.

  Rhett leaned against his desk, and his face darkened. Before he could speak, Amara walked toward them.

  “Because I was once served poisoned wine,” she said calmly, stepping to Rhett’s side. He instantly slipped an arm around her waist, pulling her close.

  “That’s awful,” Solenya gasped with wide eyes. “Why would someone do that to you?”

  “Well…” Amara murmured, shrugging her shoulders. “It was back when I had the king’s ring and—”

  But as she spoke, there was a frantic knocking at the door. Raising an eyebrow, Tristan set his glass down and walked across the room. He opened the door to find Elara standing on the other side. She was panting, trying to gasp for air.

  “What’s wrong?” He questioned, quickly pulling her into the room. “Is it Lilibeth?”

  She quickly shook her head before pointing to Tristan.

  “Molly Rose,” she said between breaths. “She’s in labor.”

  Tristan’s eyes went wide, and the color drained from his face. For a moment, he stood frozen, repeating Elara’s words in his mind. Then, without warning, he turned on his heels and ran from the room.

  He didn’t stop until he reached his parents’ apartments on the third floor. When he rushed into the entry hall, he barely noticed the startled servants stepping aside. Instead, he headed straight for his bedchambers as his heart pounded in his ears.

  But before he could reach it, someone grabbed him by the arm.

  “Let me go!” Tristan demanded as he tried to pull free. “I need to see her.”

  “Going in there frightened and panicked won’t help anyone,” Kieran stated, pulling his son firmly back to the entertaining room.

  “But it’s too early!” Tristan said breathlessly. “It’s not time yet—what if something’s wrong? What if she’s—”

  “Tristan,” Kieran interrupted. “Panicking won’t do Molly Rose any good. She needs things to be calm, not chaotic. Now, sit.”

  Trembling from anxiety and worry, Tristan allowed his father to guide him to a chair. He gripped the arms tightly and sat himself down.

  “Take a breath. Do it with me,” Kieran instructed.

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  Tristan obeyed, taking in a shaky breath. Then another. And another.

  “Good,” his father said quietly. “Now, look around. Do the servants seem alarmed? Are they running? Are they bringing out bloodied clothes?”

  Tristan blinked and slowly turned his gaze to the hallway. Maids were moving in and out of the chamber. Some carried steaming buckets of water, others fresh towels. No one was rushing, and no one was crying.

  And no one was carrying anything with blood.

  “No… they look calm,” Tristan murmured, swallowing the lump in his throat. “So… things must be going well?”

  “I believe so,” Kieran nodded, settling into the chair beside his son. “Yes, she went into labor a month earlier than expected. But if something were wrong, your mother would be the first to come out and tell us.”

  Tristan nodded slowly, finally taking a deep breath. Just then, the door from the entry hall opened, and Rhett, Amara, Marius, and Solenya walked in. The men stopped just inside the entertaining room, but Amara kept going. She took Solenya’s hand and pulled her toward the bedchambers.

  “Wait—Your Majesty, I don’t think my first time meeting her should be while she’s in labor,” Solenya said in a hushed, nervous whisper. However, she didn’t resist as the younger woman kept tugging her along.

  “What better way to get to know someone than by watching them bring life into the world?” Amara replied nonchalantly, glancing over her shoulder.

  They reached the bedchamber door, but Amara paused, looking back down the corridor toward Tristan.

  “If something’s wrong, I’ll need you to be the one to bring him updates,” she whispered. “But if it gets to be too much—if you’re overwhelmed—you can go back out and sit with the men. No one will judge you.”

  Solenya hesitated for only a moment before nodding slightly. As they slipped into the room, Tristan watched them. When the door closed, he released the breath that he was holding, dropping his gaze to the floor.

  “Is… everything alright?” Marius questioned hesitantly, glancing between Tristan and the now-closed bedchamber door.

  “It’s early,” Kieran answered, placing a hand on his son’s back. “But not alarmingly so. Only about a month.”

  Rhett stepped forward, squeezing Tristan’s shoulder before pulling up a chair beside him. He sat down, glancing toward the corridor and listening to the quiet voices and footsteps from beyond the wall.

  “I’m sure everything’s fine,” he said gently. “I don’t hear anything unusual, if that helps.”

  Tristan leaned back in his chair, letting out a deep breath.

  “It… kind of does.”

  He looked up a moment later and noticed Marius still standing, looking uncomfortable.

  “You might as well pull up a seat, too,” Tristan said with a gesture. “We’ll probably be here for a while.”

  With a nod, Marius walked to the far side of the room, grabbed a chair, and carried it over. He settled down beside Kieran with a sigh.

  “What an eventful day this has turned out to be,” he muttered.

  Kieran chuckled and perked up, turning toward the young man with an outstretched hand.

  “Oh, by the way. Welcome, Marius. I meant to say it sooner. Were you able to finish reviewing the contract before Elara came to fetch Tristan?”

  “Actually, yes,” Marius replied, reaching out to shake the Earl's hand. He then held up his left hand, revealing the king’s ring. “Solenya and I left our crowns behind—figured it’d be foolish to run across the palace with them still on. But yes, we had just wrapped things up.”

  “Good,” Kieran said with a nod. “Apparently, Molly Rose was worried about the timing. But then… her water broke—”

  “Wait, wait,” Tristan interrupted, snapping his head to his father. “You’re telling me my wife has been in labor all morning and I’m just now finding out?”

  “Not my doing, son,” Kieran raised both hands defensively. “I only found out a few minutes before you. You’ll have to take that up with your wife and mother once the baby arrives.”

  “I’m almost certain that Molly Rose pulled rank and told everyone to keep it quiet,” Rhett smirked, looking at his friend. “The only people who technically outrank a Duchess were all in my study.”

  Tristan groaned and dragged a hand down his face, slumping back in his chair.

  “Yeah… that sounds like something she’d do.” But then he paused, glancing at Marius. “Word of advice—when Solenya eventually gets pregnant, keep an eye on her when she’s nearing the end. They get sneaky.”

  “That’s assuming she gets pregnant,” Marius replied quietly. “We’ve been married over two years now, but… nothing.”

  “And you’re sure you’re putting it in correctly?” Rhett tilted his head with a raised eyebrow.

  “Seriously?” Kieran interjected, pointing a finger at Tristan. “I expect that kind of comment from him, but not you.”

  Rhett laughed, and even Tristan couldn’t hold back his smile.

  “Well,” the Duke muttered, elbowing Rhett. “It’s a valid question.”

  “Don’t you start,” Kieran warned.

  Marius chuckled softly, though there was no humor behind it. He ran a hand through the short curls on his head and stared back at the floor.

  “It’s alright. My brothers tease me about it all the time,” he said. “But… you’re not too far off. It’s not that I don’t know what to do. But every time I initiate sex with Solenya, she just goes… stiff.”

  He paused, rubbing his hands together.

  “It took me months to even get her to relax during sex. And even then, I still don’t think she enjoys it. Or me, honestly.”

  Rhett and Tristan quickly lost their smiles. They looked at one another before turning back to Marius.

  “Have you…” Rhett began slowly, choosing his words carefully. “Have you tried just doing things to her? I mean… no sex. Just… touching. Foreplay without the pressure?”

  “I have,” Marius said with a nod. “She lets me, but she’s so quiet the entire time. Even when I do everything right, get her wet and orgasming, she barely lets out a moan. I just… I don’t know what else I’m supposed to do.”

  He let out a frustrated sigh before clenching his hands into fists.

  “I know we were arranged, and it’s not like I was expecting instant compatibility. But Jesup and Aliyah were arranged, too. Every time I look at them, they’re happy and in love, laughing like teenagers sneaking kisses in the gardens. I see my parents still madly in love with each other decades later. That’s all I want.”

  “But Solenya came to me like some frightened rabbit—not like a dragon princess.” Marius swallowed hard before continuing. “I know her father’s not easy to please. I’ve seen how he talks to her, the way she shrinks when he’s near. Every time we visit her family, it’s like starting over. I make progress with her, but the moment we set foot in his court, we take three steps back.”

  “And I don’t even know why. I’ve never yelled at her. Never raised a hand. I don’t belittle her when her powers flare up unexpectedly. I try to be patient, even when she won’t look me in the eye for days.”

  “I buy her things I think she’ll like—books, jewelry, little trinkets—but I honestly don’t even know if she has a hobby. If she’s not in our chambers, she’s with Aliyah or the other princesses. But the moment I, my brothers, or my father walk into the room? She shuts down like a gate snapping shut.”

  “I get it—she’s scared. But how do I fix that? How do I help her if she won’t let me in?”

  Everything was quiet for a minute before he continued again, quieter now.

  “I hope moving to Drurus will give us a fresh start. But if that doesn’t work…” he trailed off, shaking his head. “I don’t know what else to do.”

  Rhett leaned forward slightly, resting his forearms on his knees.

  “Well, it doesn’t sound like you’re doing anything wrong,” he said gently. “You’re trying, not just pushing through it.”

  “And depending on how badly her father treated her, it may take longer than you’d think to move past it,” Tristan added.

  Marius gave a short nod, though his shoulders were tense and his chest still tight. Rhett let out a quiet sigh, unsure of what to say. He hated seeing Marius like this—lost, hurting, and doubting himself. To Rhett, Marius was a good man. Loyal. Patient. The kind of husband most women would dream of.

  But that didn’t guarantee that she would love him.

  Rhett could relate to this. He knew the ache of loving someone and not knowing if they loved you in return. It had been nearly three months since they buried the twins, and in all that time, Amara hadn’t once said those three words back to him. He told her he loved her often, but she would only respond with a smile.

  Still, Amara was warmer with him than Solenya seemed to be with Marius. But maybe that was just the mate bond, forcing them to remain close. Rhett sometimes wondered if it physically hurt her to be away from him, like when he distanced himself from her.

  When he looked back up, Marius was staring at the floor. But Kieran cleared his throat gently before anyone could think of something to say. The Earl hadn’t said much while Marius talked about his relationship with Solenya, but he had been listening. When the younger men looked at him, he sat up straight in his chair.

  “Perhaps she just isn’t ready to love,” he said. “I don’t know the specifics of what happened in her childhood, but if what you say about her father is true, then there’s a chance that fear of hers goes so deep, she doesn’t think she can live without it. If you’re just trying to survive, you can’t afford to simply love someone freely.”

  “So, what do I do?” Marius questioned in a whisper. “Just wait forever?”

  “No,” Kieran shook his head. “You continue to be there for her. Show Solenya that you are there to keep her safe. Don’t smother her with affection or drown her with gifts. The perfect words or romantic moments alone won’t undo the damage caused by her father. Let her learn, over time, that she’s allowed to be herself when she’s with you. That she won’t be punished for it.”

  He paused before speaking in a softer tone.

  “Stop going to her with the expectation of Solenya falling for you. Love can’t grow when the person is afraid, Marius. But trust can… And once there’s trust, and the fear is gone, love might come.”

  Marius blinked rapidly, and for a moment it looked like he might say something. Instead, he just gave a slow, grateful nod.

  For several minutes, the men sat in silence, lost in their thoughts. But soon, a low groan echoed from the direction of the bedchamber, followed by another louder one.

  Tristan shot to his feet, but Kieran raised a hand to stop him.

  “Wait,” the Earl said calmly. “That sound is her pushing. Which means it could all be over in a matter of minutes… or hours.”

  Tristan hesitated as he clenched his fists at his sides. He nodded after a moment, though the strain on his face remained. The thought of having to wait was like torture for him, especially when all he wanted to do was be by his wife’s side.

  Unfortunately, that torture extended for longer than the young Duke would have liked. Hours passed, though they felt like days. Tristan paced the room over and over again, hands on his heart one minute, only to be tugging his hair the next. Rhett did his best to keep things light, telling a few jokes here and there—some were met with a forced chuckle, others with silence. Marius chimed in occasionally, though it was clear how nervous he was.

  The sound of footsteps and the occasional murmur from behind the doors were the only interruptions to their restless waiting. Several times, maids came out carrying baskets filled with bloodied towels, and each time, Tristan went pale. No one said it aloud, but the sight was unnerving.

  Finally, as the sun set and the moon rose high in the sky, Molly Rose’s screams grew louder. And then… there was silence.

  The men froze, worried that something had happened. Tristan was on the verge of running into the bedchamber when the first cries of a newborn went out.

  His knees nearly gave out, but Rhett and Marius were already beside him, grabbing his arms as he laughed in relief. Kieran stood with a grin, clapping his son on the back.

  “Listen to that sound,” he said, gesturing toward the bedchamber. “That sound means you’re a father now.”

  Tristan laughed again—half-cry, half-sob—then wiped his face with his sleeves.

  “Congratulations,” Marius added, shaking Tristan’s hand firmly.

  “About damn time,” Rhett muttered, pulling his friend into a hug.

  Some time later, the door to the bedchamber opened. Stella stepped out, and she immediately greeted her son with a smile.

  “It’s a boy,” she said simply. “He’s a little small, but healthy.”

  Tristan held his breath, and for a second, he looked like he might collapse. But he steadied himself with a hand on the back of a chair, letting out a shaky exhale.

  “Is Molly Rose… alright? It looked like she lost a lot of blood.”

  Stella reached out, placing her hands on his cheeks.

  “She’s fine. Tired, of course, but nothing unexpected. Don’t worry—most of the blood loss was normal. She passed some extra with the afterbirth, but the healers have confirmed that she is fine. Though she might be weak for a little while.”

  “Can I see her? And the baby?”

  “They’re still cleaning her up, but yes,” Stella nodded. “You can go in now.”

  Tristan didn’t wait another moment. With barely a word, he followed his mother toward the bedchamber, disappearing through the doorway. Kieran sank back into his chair with a deep exhale, and the tension in his shoulders finally eased up. Marius sat beside him, also letting out a sigh of relief.

  But Rhett didn’t sit. He remained standing, glancing toward the chambers one last time.

  “I’m going to check on Lilibeth before she falls asleep,” he said. “Amara’s probably going to be with Molly Rose for a while, anyway.”

  “I’ll let her know where you went when she’s ready to leave,” Kieran nodded.

  Rhett gave Marius a pat on the shoulder before quietly leaving the Earl’s apartments. The hallways were mostly empty now, with most of the palace asleep. He headed down a flight of stairs toward the eastern wing where his and Amara’s chambers were located.

  He entered the nursery from a side entrance, finding Libby sitting in a chair with Lilibeth cradled in her arms. The baby girl was wide-eyed and wiggling around, as if trying to escape the blanket swaddle around her. In the crib nearby, Adley was sound asleep, undisturbed by the noises the princess made.

  “How’s the Duchess?” Libby inquired, glancing up at Rhett.

  “She delivered a healthy baby boy,” he answered with a smile, stepping further into the room. “The Creators were kind… With it being a little early, I was worried that something was wrong.”

  “Sounds like a blessing indeed,” Libby nodded as she looked down at the squirming infant in her arms. “The little one’s having a restless night. Would you like to rock her? Maybe you and your dragon could help get her to settle.”

  “Sure, I’ll take her,” he nodded, stepping forward. “You go spend time with your husband. I’ve got her.”

  Libby rose to her feet, passing the baby into Rhett’s arms. He held Lilibeth to his chest, rubbing her back slowly. She cried softly as she wiggled once, but then she stopped as Silas’s scales formed across Rhett’s arms.

  Rather than sitting in the nursery, he walked quietly through the adjoining rooms until he reached the main bedchamber. He went over to one of the tall windows and sat in a chair next to it.

  Rhett stared out at the palace grounds, sighing heavily before looking back down at his daughter. One of her hands was curled around the fabric of his tunic, and she blinked up at him. He smiled softly, running his knuckles over her cheek.

  His gaze drifted from her long eyelashes down to her little button nose. It was still hard to believe that this perfect creature was his daughter. Each time he looked at her, his heart was filled with unimaginable warmth and happiness—more so if it was Amara holding their daughter.

  But as Rhett sat there with Lilibeth, he felt something shifting in the room, followed shortly by the scent of herbs and magic. However, he didn’t need to look up to know who it was.

  “You’ve had quite a day,” Gwendolyn said from across the room.

  “Indeed,” Rhett replied, finally lifting his gaze. “Marius is now king of Drurus, and Molly Rose had a boy.”

  “I know,” she nodded with a smile. She walked forward, stopping just a few feet from him. “I was there for the birth. Briefly. But I saw.”

  “Were you the reason why everything turned out alright?” He questioned with a raised brow.

  “No,” Gwendolyn shook her head. “That wasn’t me. Fate was kind today. And you know I can’t interfere directly with anyone who isn’t Amara.”

  “Right,” he murmured. “Of course.”

  The witch let out a soft sigh before holding out her hand. She conjured a small box onto her palm, and Rhett perked up, immediately recognizing it.

  “Were you able to put it together?” He inquired, standing to his feet.

  “Just as you requested,” Gwendolyn confirmed as she extended the box toward him.

  He took it with his free hand, careful not to move the baby too much.

  “Thank you,” he whispered. “I really mean it. For this… and everything you’ve done for my family. I don’t know how to repay you.”

  “You don’t need to repay me,” she assured him.

  Gwendolyn reached out then, moving some of his long blonde hair away from his face. Her expression shifted slightly—it was still kind, but bittersweet now. Her hand dropped, and she stepped back, lowering her eyes for just a moment.

  “I won’t be around much for a while,” she said quietly.

  “Why?” Rhett furrowed his brows. “I thought you were supposed to be watching Amara.”

  “I still am,” she nodded. “But Amara will be fine. There are no threats here—not now. Not if you keep being the selfless, protective man you’ve become. But… other things are stirring in the world. Other places that need watching.”

  Rhett’s mind raced, wondering what could be so important that she would leave. But then it dawned on him… he had heard rumors of unrest far to the north—where snow and ice remained year-round.

  ”Does this have to do with the ice dragons?”

  “You know I can’t tell you,” she stated, though he could assume by the look in her eyes that he was right.

  “Is there anything I can do to help?” He questioned.

  “Yes,” Gwendolyn answered quickly, meeting his gaze. “Stay here. Heal your kingdom. Care for your people. Please.”

  He stared at her for several seconds before slowly nodding. The witch’s gaze drifted down to the baby in his arms. Her expression softened before furrowing her brows slightly. With a tilt of her head, she suddenly turned around, walking away as her body began to glow.

  “If you ever need me,” she said over her shoulder. “Just call my name. No matter where I am in the world… I’ll hear it.”

  And with that, she vanished, leaving behind the faintest shimmer in the air. Rhett stood there momentarily, raising an eyebrow, confused by her sudden departure. The witch had sensed something, he could tell, but whatever it was, she hadn’t said.

  He looked down at the baby in his arms. Lilibeth was utterly unborthered, lazily sucking on her fist in her mouth.

  “Hmm,” he murmured, pursing his lips. “Come on, littlest love.”

  He returned to the chair by the window, placing the box Gwendolyn had given him on a nearby table. With a sigh, he settled back into the cushion, cradling Lilibeth as he began to rock her.

  The minutes passed by, and exhaustion slowly crept into Rhett’s bones. He glanced at the clock across the room, noticing it was just before midnight. He had been rocking Lilibeth for nearly an hour, but for most of that, she fought against going to sleep. Thankfully, as he looked down at his daughter’s face, it seemed as though she had finally given in.

  When her tiny breaths had evened out, Rhett carefully rose from the chair, doing his best not to wake her. He carried her through the private sitting room and into the nursery.

  He placed Lilibeth gently into her crib. Next to her was Adley, who was still fast asleep, curled up on her stomach with her knees tucked beneath her like a little frog. Rhett reached over and patted her back gently before checking on Lilibeth one last time.

  Satisfied, he stepped away and glanced toward Libby’s room. The door was cracked open, but it was dark and quiet inside. Not wanting to disturb Libby or Archie, Rhett turned and made his way back to his bedchambers.

  However, Amara still wasn’t back yet. Not willing to go to sleep without seeing her, Rhett moved to the sitting area in the center of the room. He lit several candles before picking up a book, along with the box from Gwendolyn, and settled onto one of the couches. He leaned back with a sigh, propping his feet up as he opened the book across his lap.

  After nearly an hour, he could hear the sound of footsteps coming in from the direction of the nursery. Rhett glanced up just as Amara entered, followed closely behind by Skye.

  Amara paused, blinking in surprise.

  “Oh! I thought you’d be asleep.”

  Rhett chuckled, closing the book and setting it aside.

  “I wanted to wait up. Plus, it took me a while to get Lilibeth to sleep, but thankfully she’s out now.”

  “I saw,” Amara nodded, walking further into the room. “I just checked on her and Adley. They’re both sound asleep.”

  “Good,” he smiled. “How’s Molly Rose and the baby?”

  “They’re doing well,” she said, stopping near the couch. “Molly Rose was able to get up and walk a little. She’s tired, but doing fine. The baby had some trouble latching at first, but we finally got him to eat.”

  “Have they named him yet?” Rhett inquired curiously.

  “Evander,” Amara nodded with a smile.

  Rhett lifted a brow, tilting his head.

  “That doesn’t end in ‘an’ like Tristan or Kieran.”

  “I noticed that too,” she shrugged. “I’m not sure why, but Molly Rose said it just felt right. She was the one who suggested it.”

  Rhett nodded slowly, but said nothing more when Amara ran a hand over his shoulder, walking past him to go toward her dressing room.

  “I’m going to change,” she said softly. “Give me a minute, and I’ll come back to tell you the rest.”

  He leaned back on the couch, resting his hands in his lap. He watched as she disappeared behind a door, which was quickly closed by Skye.

  After a few seconds, his gaze drifted down to the box on the table beside him. He reached out, taking it in his hands. It was a long, narrow box, and it just barely fit in his hand. He held it for a while, absentmindedly running a finger over the surface.

  When the door to the changing room opened, Rhett stood to his feet. Amara walked out wearing a thin, long-sleeved cream nightgown. Skye walked past her, curtsying to Rhett before leaving the room.

  “What’s that?” Amara inquired, noticing the box in his hands.

  He sheepishly looked down, touching it with his other hand before stepping closer to her.

  “It’s something I should have given you long ago,” he murmured as he stopped in front of her.

  He slowly removed the lid, revealing a heart-shaped locket resting on top of blue velvet.

  “This is made from my Heart Scale,” he stated, watching Amara’s reaction carefully.

  Her eyes were wide as she looked down at the locket. She reached up slowly, running her fingertips across it. The scale was warm, as if she were pressing a hand directly to Silas.

  “You should open it,” Rhett whispered.

  Amara looked up at him with a curious expression. Then, slowly, she lifted the necklace from the velvet and held it in her palms. He quietly set the box aside as she unlatched the locket and opened it.

  Her brows furrowed as she stared at the contents: three tiny locks of hair—two blonde, one brown—each tied neatly with a thin strand of gold thread. They were glued in place, so they didn’t move. Rhett reached out, covering her hands with his own.

  “It’s the hair from each of our children,” he said softly. “Elliott, Bennett, and Lilibeth. I wanted you to have a piece of them with you—always.”

  For a moment, Amara said nothing. Her chin quivered and her lips parted slightly as tears brimmed the edges of her eyes. Then, silently, they began to fall. She closed the locket with a trembling hand before kissing it.

  “Do you want me to put it on you?” He questioned.

  She nodded without a word and handed it to him. He stepped behind her, running his fingers along her neck as he fastened the chain. Once it was secured, he returned to stand in front of her.

  The heart-shaped locket now rested against her chest for all to see.

  “I am sorry for everything I’ve done,” he stated quietly, watching as she wiped the tears from her cheeks. “For not protecting you. For not protecting our boys. I know I couldn’t ask you to forgive me… I don’t deserve that. But I swear to you, Amara, I will never fail you again. I will keep you safe. And I will protect our daughter with everything I have.”

  Amara looked down, lifting the locket once more. Her gaze lingered on it for a moment before she finally looked up at Rhett.

  He opened his mouth to speak again, but she didn’t give him the chance. Instead, she reached out, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck as she pressed her lips to his in a kiss that nearly took the air from his lungs. Rhett froze in surprise for just a second, but then he melted into her, putting his hands on her waist and kissing her back.

  Amara pushed him gently until the backs of his legs hit the couch, and he sat down, never breaking the kiss. She followed him, straddling his lap as her fingers went into his hair.

  Rhett held her tightly as he kissed her back, claiming her lips with a passionate hunger that he had buried away for so long. Her body was warm against his, and the feel of her straddling his lap sent a fiery heat through his body. His cock stirred, straining against his trousers, and though every part of him wanted more—wanted her—he reluctantly broke the kiss.

  “We need to stop,” he murmured breathlessly.

  “I don’t want to,” Amara whispered, adjusting herself on his lap. The motion made him groan softly, and she was clearly aware of what was going on beneath her.

  His hands tightened around her hips to keep her from moving.

  “Are you sure?” He questioned, furrowing his brows as he looked away from her. “Because if you keep doing that… if we keep kissing like that, I won’t be able to stop. And I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “Look at me, Rhett,” Amara said firmly, cupping his face with her hands and tilting his head until their eyes met. “I want this. I’ve been wanting this… for so long. I miss the way you make me feel. I miss the way we used to be. I miss you looking at me like I was something you couldn’t wait to devour—not like I’m some broken thing that you pity.”

  “Little dove,” he started softly as his heart twisted at her words.

  “No, Rhett,” she interrupted him. “Please. I love you. I want this—I want you.”

  His eyes went wide as he listened to her.

  I love you…

  The three words he had wanted to hear from her—words he thought he might never hear again. And the way she looked at him told him everything he needed to know. She meant it—every word.

  Without hesitation, Rhett brought one hand to the back of her head, threading his fingers through her hair as he pulled her in for another kiss—deeper and more desperate. His other hand remained at her waist, guiding her closer as his knees shifted apart, spreading her thighs for him. She gasped against his mouth, bracing herself with her hands on his shoulders.

  His lips moved from her mouth to her jaw, down her neck, and across her collarbone, kissing every inch of exposed skin. She tilted her head to the side, breathing heavier every time his lips touched her.

  As his mouth marked her skin, his hand slid up her thigh, and his fingers curled beneath the hem of the nightgown, dragging it upward. He went slowly, enjoying the feel of her softness. But when his hand reached between her thighs, he stopped.

  She wasn’t wearing anything beneath her gown… and not only that, but she was already soaked.

  “Well, well,” he growled in his throat. “You really wanted this, didn’t you, little dove?”

  He dragged a finger gently along her slit, causing Amara to moan as he lightly touched her clit. Her head dropped forward against his shoulder while her hands gripped him tightly.

  “Yes,” she nodded quickly in a whisper, barely able to speak. “Gods, yes…”

  Rhett’s free hand went up her shoulder, gathering the top of her nightgown, and pulling it downward until he exposed her breasts to his gaze. Her nipples were hard and swollen from breastfeeding, though he couldn’t stop himself from watching as they moved with each shaky breath Amara took. He hesitated for only a second, then pressed soft kisses over her chest, careful to avoid causing her pain.

  She arched her back with a gasp, moving her hands to his hair as his touch sent jolts of pleasure through her body.

  “Don’t stop,” she whispered.

  “I won’t,” he murmured against her skin, running his lips over her collarbone before nipping at it gently.

  His fingers continued to circle around her clit, teasing her until she was trembling. Then slowly, he moved two of his fingers through her folds before pushing them inside her. Her walls instantly clenched around him, causing him to groan under his breath.

  Rhett panted heavily against her neck, entirely focused on her pleasure, coaxing her closer and closer to the edge. Her moans were loud, desperate even. And when her orgasm hit, her body spasmed in his lap.

  He held her as she slumped against his chest, breathing heavily. A low chuckle rumbled in his throat as he pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head. Gently, he withdrew his fingers, bringing them to his lips to taste her.

  “Do you have the strength to hold on to me?” He inquired as he adjusted his position, preparing to stand.

  Amara gave a breathless nod, wrapping her arms around his neck. He helped guide her legs around his waist and then stood up, carrying her across the room to the bed. He knelt down as he laid her in the center, placing her down gently.

  When she released him, he reached for the hem of her nightgown to pull it over her head, but her hands stopped him.

  “Wait,” she murmured, biting her lip. “Don’t.”

  “Why not?” He gently inquired, still gripping the gown, though not moving it further.

  “Because I don’t look the same as I did before…” she whispered, looking away from him. “My stomach has stretch marks and is flabby. Plus, there’s the ugly scar…”

  Rhett exhaled slowly, let go of the fabric, then leaned back and pulled his tunic over his head.

  “I’ve changed, too,” he said calmly.

  Amara had seen glimpses of his bare chest in passing, but never like this—never fully bare in front of her. She stared at the dark, jagged scar that began at his left shoulder and stretched down across his chest, wrapping around his side. Without thinking, she reached out and traced the scar with her fingers.

  “I don’t care that you don’t have a flat stomach,” Rhett stated firmly. He took her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm. “I love you. I’ll love you no matter what you look like. Your body carried our sons… It survived a horrific tragedy, poison, loss—and yet, you’re still here. I will worship every inch of you and claim your body as mine… if you let me. But if you’re not ready, I won’t force you.”

  Amara looked at him for a moment, staring up at his hazel eyes. Slowly, she let go of his hand and reached down to the hem of her nightgown. She pulled it over her head with a deep breath and tossed it aside.

  Rhett didn’t immediately look down. His eyes stayed on hers for several seconds, letting her get comfortable first.

  Then his gaze drifted downward.

  Her stomach hadn’t fully recovered since the loss of the twins. Stretch marks went across her lower belly, and the vertical scar from the sword was dark against her pale skin.

  He held his breath—not out of disgust, but from the guilt of what she suffered through. Slowly, he leaned in and pressed a kiss to the scar on her stomach. Then to the stretch marks on her belly. And then to her sides, where the white scars remained from when she was poisoned.

  One kiss after another, he continued across her body. Not a single one was given out of lust, but out of love.

  When he finally pulled back, he rose to his feet and slipped off his trousers, then climbed onto the bed and over her. Her eyes were wet with fresh tears, but she blinked them away as he settled between her thighs. He paused, giving her one last chance to change her mind, but Amara lifted her hips to meet his.

  He kissed her lips, savoring the taste of her mouth before finally easing his cock into her.

  She moaned, digging her fingers into his shoulders as he filled her completely. Rhett pressed his forehead against hers, giving Amara a moment to adjust. He moved once she finally met his gaze, and her breathing wasn’t so heavy.

  His thrusts were slow at first as he tried to hold himself back. Even Silas didn’t come forward, keeping himself in their soul so Rhett could restrain himself.

  But when her legs tightened around his waist, pushing his cock deeper into her, it nearly broke Rhett. He had to fight to keep his thrusts even, focusing instead on her expressions and the sounds that she made.

  Amara wrapped her arms around his shoulders, brushing her mouth against his beard.

  “Rhett…”

  “I know,” he panted roughly. “I know…”

  His pace quickened as he growled, gripping onto the sheets beside her head. He clenched his jaw, trying to keep himself from finishing so quickly. It had been so long, and his body wanted the release. But he wanted to enjoy the moment and make it last as long as possible.

  “I love you,” Amara whispered against his ear as her thighs trembled around his waist. “So very much.”

  This finally caused him to lose control.

  “I love you, too,” he choked out, slamming his lips onto hers.

  As he fell over the edge of pleasure with a shuddering groan, Amara’s body spasmed beneath his. She held onto him tightly, wrapping her arms around his back, refusing to let him pull away. But he didn’t even try. He stayed pressed against her, breathing hard as his heart raced inside his chest.

  Rhett had thought this feeling was lost to him forever. After the war, pain, and losses, they had taken more than just his peace and happiness. They had hollowed him out, made him believe there was no way for him to get back this warmth. But now… lying with Amara, held in her arms as she panted against him, Rhett felt whole again.

  There wasn’t a trace of guilt or sorrow in his heart. It was just her… just this. And he would hold onto this feeling until the end of his days.

  “Rhett?” Amara whispered, running her fingers slowly through his hair.

  “Hmm?” He hummed, resting his cheek against her chest where he could hear her heart beating.

  “Do you believe that our souls return to Altyria when we die?”

  “Yes, I do,” he nodded, leaning back to look at her with a curious expression.

  “Then… would you want to be together in our next life?” She questioned, looking up at him with tear-filled eyes. “I don’t think I could be satisfied with just one lifetime with you.”

  “No,” he shook his head, before leaning down to kiss her softly. “I wouldn’t want just one either.”

  He paused, resting his forehead against hers as he closed his eyes.

  “If there is another life after this one, I’ll find you in it. Even if I have to go against the Creators themselves… I’ll search through every corner of this world until I see you again. And I’ll make you mine. Over and over. Life after Life. Until time itself comes to an end.”