Page 190 of Vicious Is My Throne

Some of the weight slid off, enough I could ask the question I’d been dreading, though not without wincing. “And what about my mother?”

“Adele is under Vesper’s watchful eyes, and maybe…I think she’s starting to find her way, Anaria. We put her in charge of organizing the library and the job suits her. I think…” she grasped my hands. “I think Adele will be alright.”

“Thank you for giving her a chance.”

“She’s proud of you. She tries to hide it behind that prickly exterior, but she is.”

“Witch’s tits, there’s my girl.” Dane burst into the library like a summer squall, sweeping me off my feet and swinging me around, knocking almost every book off the table while Bella screamed for him to stop.

“Oh, calm down, Bell. They’re only books. It’s not every day I get to hug our future queen.”

“My name is not Bell.” She muttered through grit teeth. “And these are not only books, you overgrown, mangy…” From the fury on Bella’s face, I didn’t envy Dane one bit, but then Lucius folded me into his arms. It was a full minute before the white-haired shifter stepped back and laid his hand over his heart.

“Thank you for keeping my son safe. You did everything I always knew you were capable of, and so much more, Anaria.”

His voice was thick. “Nightcairn...has been restored. Dane and I are heading back in a few days to take stock, but if you ever…”

He cleared his throat. “I mean, I know the Keep is your home now, but I hope you and Tavion know my door is always open, should you ever wish to get away from this dismal place.”

Get away. Gods, that sounded good.

Of course, since I was queen now, then I could—technically—do anything I wanted.

Right?

I blinked and the room swam back into view. “We will take you up on that, Lucius. Especially since Nightcairn is my favorite place in the entire world.” He beamed and I squeezed his hand before turning back to Dane.

“First of all, they are not only books, Dane Montgomery. Now pick them up and stop needling Bella, since technically, she outranks you.”

“How do you figure that, princess?” That arrogant grin didn’t falter.

“Because she’s my new chief advisor and as long as you are here in the Keep, she’s your superior. And you have to do everything she says.” I winked at Bella as Lucius chuckled.

“Do try to go easy on him, will you, Bella?” I winked at the now-glowering shifter. “Dane’s old as dirt, and it’s hard for old dogs to learn new tricks.”

EPILOGUE

ANARIA

Aweek later I dug my toes deeper into the hot sand and watched blue-green waves break over the beach, one after another.

I was queen of New Valarian.

After a suitably monstrous show of power that nearly brought down the entire Keep and properly terrified the scheming royals, there had been no more challenges to my throne and I’d convinced Torin we deserved a full week away from our responsibilities.

To make our escape official, I’d even issued a formal decree.

I inhaled salty air and closed my eyes, letting the rhythmic crashing roll through me.

Peace.

This must be what peace felt like.

“Well?” Raz pressed a kiss to my sunburned shoulder. “How do you like the beach?”

He was gorgeous, sweat trickling over his dark skin, every muscle on full display.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been anywhere so beautiful. Or so calming.”

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