Page 26 of Bros Come Before Hordes
"Once again, I think even they know that no queen is worse for their current situation. They want their power back, and you are the only link they have to Léas. They don't know the Queen's Cross is broken, so as far as they're concerned, you're on top of things."
My mouth popped open, and then I closed it again. "Oh. I hadn’t even thought of that."
He smiled, and it dazzled me more than the crown. "In the words of the great Asa, 'just keeping it real, yo.'"
I snorted and bumped his shoulder. "Want to walk me back to the castle?"
“I have someone I’d like you to meet first.” He offered his arm like a gentleman, and I took it like a queenly thief. "You know, you're doing a fantastic job so far, all things considered."
We took the steps down to the grassy cliff slowly because of my practice coronation heels and dress, both breathtaking and hanging from my closet door that morning.
"Would you tell me if I was doing a shitty job?" I asked.
"I’d word it nicer, but yes, I would," he said with a laugh.
"I don't trust them, Vance, and I sure as hell know that they don't trust me.” I squeezed his arm in apology. “Tavis said that you taught Calhoun forgiveness after what happened to your mother, but...I don't even like stovetops, my harem excluded."
"Well, liking us is a start, isn't it?"
"Yeah, I suppose so."
He nodded, the movement making the sunlight halo on his white-blond hair shift. "You have to understand something about me. I taught Calhoun forgiveness at the same time I was learning it myself. It’s about as hard a thing to do as trusting someone. I had to keep reminding myself that not all dragon shifters kidnapped my mother or treat humans like garbage. We’re a lot like humans in that way, imperfect as a whole but with some really stellar standouts.”
I looked over and found him staring at me meaningfully. “You don’t mean me. I’m a thief, remember?”
“MyThief,” he rumbled, and the possessive quality in his voice sped my heartbeat.
Because he was right. I was his, and my harem was mine.
A flash of heat sparked in his eyes, but he looked away before it could curl in deep.
“Come on.” He pointed down the aisle where a shifter with a long gray beard was arranging chairs. “There’s someone I want you to meet.”
The shifter looked up when we drew nearer, and he flashed a gap-toothed grin that kind of reminded me of Tavis’s, how honest and open it was. Some of my edge immediately softened.
He fell into a low bow. “Your Highness. How are you today?”
I blinked because no one had ever asked me that before. “Uh. Good. Yours?”
“Better now,” he said, straightening.
“Queen Yara.” Vance gestured to the man with a warm smile. “This is Dox, and he’s been helping me prepare for your coronation, sometimes by literally bending backwards. He’s truly remarkable.”
The man blushed. “Whatever you need, Your Highness, and I will get it done. You can count on me.”
“Thank you, Dox,” I said, and I meant it.
He bowed again, and then Vance and I strode toward the castle.
“I take it he’s one of the good ones?” I asked.
“He is.”
I nodded and took a deep breath. "I'm going to make an effort. A little one. You, your brothers, and Dox have convinced me that stovetops can't all be bad."
Vance winced. "You sound really sure."
I laughed. “Baby steps. Maybe Asa can even look out the window at the coronation ceremony while he eats cake."
