Page 73 of Kiss the Filthiest King

I could have covered her corpse in shadows to avoid the dramatics, but what’s a coronation without a little murder? Every single person here knew that there was going to be blood eventually, after an attempt on the queen’s life.

I want them to see how I deal with those who threaten my mate.

There’s no doubt I am within my rights for taking her life, but if anyone wishes to demand satisfaction for Fawn’s death, they’re very welcome to.

My peers join me, and we return to our chatter and jokes, not even mentioning the dead lady rotting at my feet.

When the last of the lords has bowed and thanked the queen for her attention, I push away from the doors. “My turn, friends,” I tell my entourage, drawing a few chuckles.

I’ve warned Darina I’d come to her, and now, in public, with the most important leaders of the land to witness it, still feels like the right moment to ask. Still, I can’t deny the inconvenient attempted murder has complicated the matter.

They all saw me fuck the living daylights out of her. That she grants me favor is already a humongous problem, and they had a front row seat to confirm it.

Fuck, she’s beautiful in her crown, so obviously thoroughly fucked, and with my smell on her skin.

“High queen,” I say, lowering my head in deference.

“Mate,” she replies. “Have you come to get on your knees? I’d quite enjoy that.”

There are more than a few chuckles.

“If you wish, it’ll be my pleasure. I would like to appeal for your judgement on an important matter, first, if I may.”

She lifts her regal hand. “Ask.”

“When your mother ruled, the land was different. More divided. Many of the lower courts had open conflicts, wars, and the queen let them settle their affairs in a manner of their choosing.”

She nods. “I understand it’s not my place to interfere in local conflicts.”

“Indeed. In the absence of a high seat, we unseelie have formed an alliance to prevent all-out wars in our land. It doesn’t entirely eliminate small skirmishes between individuals, but when there’s a disagreement over anything of importance on the eastern shore, the lords come to me. I am the unseelie king. I would like you to recognize and permit me to retain the title I earned and the position I occupy, if you see fit.”

I keep my gaze set on her, ignoring the sudden whispers and chatter amongst the crowd.

I am asking for much. The courts’ lands are duchies, principalities, earldoms, depending on their might, size, and riches. Accepting that I am the ruler, the king of half of this world, weakens her power.

“Like that hasn’t already been decided as pillow talk,” someone sneers, loud enough for Darina to turn from my gaze to his.

The boy who said those words swallows at the sudden attention from the high queen.

She only smiles. “Let me assure you in no uncertain terms that it’s the first I’ve heard of this request.”

She stands, walking about the dais, looking at each of her subjects.

As her green eyes fall on the woman clad in a white gown, standing right at the front, they seem to shift, darkening.

“What say you, dear Rena?” Darina pointedly asks the bitch. “I understand you’re called the bright queen because you’ve combined the might of two courts, but that was after my mother’s passing. Should you and Ryther keep your lower kingdoms, now that there’s a new queen in the high seat, or would the courts think it too confusing?”

I can practically see my old sister-in-law boil with rage. She can either side with me or see her own title demoted, the way Rina’s presented it.

Damn, she’s gotten good at this, so fast.

“I do not think it confusing at all. There’s quite a difference between a queen andthequeen.”

Rina nods. “Well then, it’s settled. Your request is approved, and in the same vein, Rena will also keep her title. I acknowledge all formerly granted or earned titles, all currently established borders. Should there be cause to change anything in the future, I expect to be consulted. Are you satisfied?”

She’s asking the high court, not me. There are begrudging nods and acquiescence.

Last night, she enthroned Valdred on a whim and no one questioned it, but letting me keep my title is seen as favoritism, even as she’s presented it.

---