Gwen sat beside him, wrapping her arms around him. “I’m so sorry.”
Silas fell back onto his rump. No, this wasn’t how it was supposed to happen. The Chameleon was still alive, and his brother was dead? “No.”
“I’m so sorry,” Gwen repeated with tears streaming down her face.
He pulled her into his arms and glanced at his friends and family. They were watching him sadly, waiting for him to take charge. Dammit.
Slowly, he hefted himself to his feet. “Dimitri, please shift and take the late king’s body back to the chapel at Draven Castle. A closed casket for him and his queen. Make arrangements with the priest to bury them tomorrow.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Dimitri murmured.
“Aleksi, shift and take Brody back,” Silas ordered. “Take Annika with you, so she can treat his wounds.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Aleksi and Annika replied.
“I could treat him,” Gwen suggested.
“Annika knows how to do it.” Silas took Gwen’s hand. “You and I will ride back together. I need that time to … adjust. By the time we arrive at the castle, I’ll be ready to assume my duties.”
With a last tearful glance at his brother, Silas led Gwen through the tunnel to the entrance. Grief struck him hard, causing a jabbing pain in his heart. He doubled over, pressing a hand to his chest.
Dammit to hell. Tears burned his eyes. He was a failure. He’d failed to kill the Chameleon. He’d failed to save his brother and the queen.
“Silas.” She leaned over to look at his face. “Are you in pain?”
“Gwen.” He slowly straightened. A tear rolled down his cheek. “I failed.”
“Don’t say that.” She cradled his face with her hands. “The Chameleon wanted to take over Norveshka and use its army and dragons to destroy the rest of the mainland. He was planning to take over the entire world.”
Silas nodded. “Along with the Circle of Five.”
“We stopped them,” Gwen insisted. “This has to be a huge setback for them.”
She was making a good point. He wiped his face dry, then continued toward the entrance of the cave.
As they stepped outside into the bright sunlight, Silas spotted Dimitri and Aleksi in dragon form, flying out of the opening at the top of the cavern. His brother’s body was on its way back to Draven Castle.
“Come on.” He led Gwen toward the horses.
“Are you feeling better now?”
“My heart is still hurting.” He pulled her into his arms. “Can my beloved healer take care of that?”
She held him tight. “There may be a scar left for years to come, but you will feel better. It will take time and a lot of love.”
“I do love you, Gwen. I love you so much.”
“I know.” She touched his face and looked up at him, her beautiful lavender-blue eyes glimmering with love and tears. “I will love you through good times and bad. Whether we’re soaked with rain or reaching for the stars.”
He took a deep breath. “We’re going to be king and queen from now on. Will you be all right with that?”
She nodded. “We can do it. As long as we’re together.”
He kissed her brow. “Together.”
Epilogue
TWO WEEKS LATER …
A cheer rang through the courtyard as Gwennore exited the chapel with her newly wedded husband. She and Silas had ended up having their wedding and coronation all at once in order to assure the Norveshki people that life would continue as usual.
Better than usual, Gwennore thought. For Silas had already arranged for a truce with Woodwyn and signed peace treaties with the royal houses of Eberon and Tourin. Those treaties had been easy to manage since the kings and queens of Eberon and Tourin were currently at Draven Castle for the wedding and coronation.
When the courtiers had realized the connections that Gwennore had, in addition to being an elfin princess, they had started singing her praises. They still considered her a witch, but a good one, who was going to bring fertility back to their country and save them all.
Gwennore glanced back and grinned at her bridesmaids—Sorcha, Annika, Maeve, and Olenka. Eviana had served as a flower girl, while Eric and Reynfrid had carried in the newly crafted crowns.
The troll chieftain had come with a few from his tribe, and they’d brought several barrels of mead.
Gwennore slanted an admiring glance at her husband, gorgeous as always in the green-and-brown uniform he still insisted on wearing. The crown on his head was much like hers—a simple circlet of gold with one emerald in front. The jewels from the old crowns had been used to help the poor and buy supplies to make more tonic.
As Silas took her hand to lead her up the stairs to a balcony where they could address the crowd, he leaned close to whisper, “Rule number eight: There is only one mate for a dragon, and he will love her forever.”
She smiled. “That’s a good one.”
“It’s true. My heart is yours.”
“I’ll take excellent care of your extra-large heart.” She squeezed his hand. “But we’re married now. I think you can stop inventing rules for dating.”
“You’re right.” His green eyes glittered with humor. “Now I plan to come up with Eight Simple Positions for Making Love.”
She laughed. The rascal. “Eight?”
“We can do it. We just have to stay positive.”
“I believe you.”
He grinned. “I’m thinking we can do four tonight.”
* * *
The next morning, Gwennore met her sisters and Annika for breakfast in Luciana’s sitting room. It gladdened her heart to see how close Sorcha was becoming to her cousin and her brother. She knew it was helping Silas to have his sister here.
Annika snorted when Gwennore sat at the table. “I’m surprised you’re awake this early.”
“Really,” Sorcha agreed. “We thought you would be asleep all day.”
Gwennore shook her head, smiling. Now she had two outspoken redheads who enjoyed pestering her.
“Don’t mind them,” Maeve said as she slipped the dog Brody a slice of bacon. One of Brody’s back legs had been slathered with ointment and wrapped in gauze for a week, but it was much better now. “We’re really
