Page 145 of The King is Dead
Panic fluttered in my chest.
What were they thinking? Me? AKing?
But then I blinked as they finally raised their heads and Yilan beamed at me again, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Everyone rose to their feet, cheering. A round of champagne had been left by the servants and Diadre and Jhonas rushed to gather glasses and pass them to everyone.
Then they toasted me. Their King.
My head spun and my breath wanted to stop. The weight of that title bearing down and tightening the muscles in my neck.
It should not be this easy. Such a momentous appointment shouldn’t be made in minutes. A nation shouldn’t be handed into a man’s care with mere words!
“Speech! Speech!” someone called and they all turned to face me.
I wanted to shake my head, but I knew this moment needed leadership. It needed inspiration. And it was up to me to provide it. But I was at a loss. This was no cluster of low-born soldiers needing a reason to fight with honor. I faced a room of former adversaries and rivals, all of them powerful in their own right, yet seeking inspiration to risk so much more than just their lives.
Yilan slipped her hand to my elbow and smiled up at me. “Just tell them what you want for them. Show them your heart,” she whispered.
I swallowed hard before nodding and raising my voice to keep it strong.
“Thank you. I am… humbled.” A rumble of approval rippled through the room as I cleared my throat. “I am a warrior. I have always been fighter. I did not foresee this part of God’s plan for me. But I trust that He brings it knowing that I am more accustomed to using spears than decrees. Two spears, as it happens.”
The men chuckled. I wished I was joking.
“I take this responsibility gravely. What I do not know, I will commit to learn. Where I am weak, I will appoint others to aid me whose strengths make up for my lack. And I will forever protect and listen to my mate whose heart is so deeply committed to her people.Ourpeople.”
I swallowed hard, wishing there was more sound in the room than just my voice.
“Thank you for your trust. I will do everything in my power never to break it,” I ended finally.
Please, God… help.
Yilan led a round of applause which made me want to sink into the floor, but after the tension in the room dissipated like steam in cold air.
Chatter started, some of my brothers looking like they might approach, Yilan tugged at my arm. I leaned down when she beckoned so she could whisper in my ear.
“You look very handsome in a crown,” she breathed, then nipped my earlobe.
I was still so tense, I startled, which made her giggle.
The hour that followed was touching—and horrifying. Even Turo approached to congratulate me and bowed low like he did to Yilan in public. But finally, with darkness falling, everyone prepared to leave.
An hour later, finally back at the Palace, the eyes of every guard and servant we passed in the halls went round when they saw the crown—with Yilan walking at my side, her hand in my elbow. I had to make myself acknowledge the bows and curtseys, muttering my thanks, which made Yilan laugh.
“You can just nod. They know it’s your due. You don’t have tothankthem for it.” She was practically skipping at my side.
Finally, we were back at the Royal suite and I sighed with relief to be out from under the eyes of anyone except Yilan as she trotted ahead of me into the room, lighting lamps and candles. I stood at the center of the chamber suddenly reminded that this was nowours. This was the Queen’s suite—now the King’s.
I shook my head in disbelief.
While I stood there, dumbfounded, Yilan hurried back to stand between my feet and reached for the buttons at my neck.
I was surprised by the gleam in her eye—and a little uneasy. I was exhausted and my mind was so full. I wanted to love her, but wasn’t sure Iwas ready.
Then she reached the buttons at the bottom of my shirt and started on my belt. When she looked up at me through her lashes and her eyes were shining, my cock twitched. Thank God.
Breath beginning to quicken as she tugged at my buckle, I reached up to grab the crown and started to pull it off.
