Page 66 of The Stolen Throne

Dax is in the lead, and he shrugs. “You wished to leave as soon as possible.”

I roll my eyes and reply, “We do not need to leave immediately. You could have taken your time.”

Asher comes up beside Rev and me and presses a kiss to my cheek. “We would much rather be with you, Snow Bunny.”

I snort a laugh. “I know you would rather be with me, but that doesn’t mean you have to rush to destroy the items in the castle.”

“We didn’t rush around the castle destroying things if that is what you are implying,” Bene tells me with a smirk.

“The look on your face has me doubting the truth to your words.”

He shrugs as Mir asks, “Would you believe it if I were to say the words?”

I shake my head with a laugh. “Nope.”

“Shall we return home now that we have finished?” Alair asks from atop the front stairs of the castle.

Dax nods. “Let’s head back before it gets dark. We may have destroyed the king’s items that held the magic, but we don’t know how it will affect the land and its creatures now that he’s gone.”

I nod in agreement. I know that the death-bringers will still be wandering around, but we don’t know if the magic held in the castle allows them free will or if they are still tainted by the magic.

“Let’s go home.”

35

I’m mid bite when Dax enters the kitchen. He looks around the room till his eyes land on me. My fork is still in my mouth when he smiles, making his way over to me. I’m frozen, which I’m sure is a vision with my cheeks puffed out with eggs and a fork hanging out of my mouth.

“Good morning, Little Raven.” He presses a soft kiss to my forehead before popping a bite of egg into his mouth with his fingers.

Snapping out of my haze, I pull the fork from my mouth as I try to talk around my mouthful. “Why are you in such a good mood this morning?”

“Am I not allowed to be in a good mood, Little Raven?”

I arch a brow as I wave the empty fork in his direction. “You aren’t normally this… happy.”

He smirks and asks, “Did you forget what today is?”

Brows pinching, I try to think. It’s been about a week since we returned from Arcelia. I briefly remember Dax mentioning that we need to join the kingdoms to prevent any uprisings. Wait… wait! My eyes flick to meet his as he smirks at me. His smirk grows when my eyes widen in realization.

“No… it’s too early,” I whisper.

“It’s never too early for a coronation,” Ash counters with a chuckle.

“I don’t want to leave!” I say in a panic. If I’m crowned Queen of Arcelia, I would have to stay there until the people are under control. But I don’t want to part with my men.

The men exchange confused glances, then Rev asks, “Why would you have to leave?”

“We are doing the coronation for Arcelia, correct?”

Dax nods and replies, “Yes. But I am still confused as to why you would have to leave.”

“If I am to be crowned Queen of Arcelia, I would have to stay in the kingdom until my rule is accepted. We will be separated for an unknown length of time. I don’t want that.”

Kas arches a brow. “Do you really think we would force you to go back and stay in that kingdom?”

Feeling confused now, I ask, “Is that not how things are done?”

Mir shakes his head. “That was never the plan.”

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