“Surrender!” I grind out.
“No!”
“As the rightful heir to the throne, I demand your complete surrender! Relent now or I will end you!”
He snarls and rages beneath me. I open my mouth and clamp my teeth around his neck. I do not want to kill him, but I have no choice. I begin to close my jaws and he yelps, “I surrender!”
Releasing my grip, I furiously lift into the air, releasing a bellowing roar. “As your prince and rightful heir to the Wind Clan, I demand that you cease your fighting!”
As one, every warrior turns to face me.
“The Fire Clan is not our enemy! Stand down or you will be executed as traitors to the crown!”
It’s a threat I am loath to carry out, but I will if I must. I cannot allow my warriors to take the humans against their will.
“You are better than this!” I cry out, addressing my brethren. “What honor is there in stealing females? For too long, I allowed my father to keep his throne though I knew his rule had been compromised by the death of my mother. But his reign ends this day. We must cease fighting among the Clans. The Gods punished us when they sent the Great Plague, but now, they have seen fit to bless us with compatible females. If we do not stop infighting, we invite punishment from the Gods once more.”
I allow my gaze to drift over each warrior of my Clan. “If any of you do not recognize my right to rule our people, speak now and let it be known. I will face and defeat any who dare challenge my claim.”
All remain silent. After a moment, one by one, they bow their heads. I turn to my guard and friend, Tai. “Send word to my father and my Clan. Let them know what has happened here this day. Tell them their new king will be returning soon.”
He dips his head in a subtle bow. “Yes, my king.”
I turn and circle back to Prince Varus. Prince Llyr stands beside him in the palace courtyard. As soon as I land, I transform into my two-legged form and Skye rushes to meet me.
Blood trickles down my body. I’m about to warn her to be gentle, but she wraps her arms around me before I can protest.
“Are you all right?” she asks, worry marring her beautiful features.
I am sore, but I know I will eventually heal, so I lie and assure her that I am alright. Her embrace tightens and I wince before I can catch myself. She releases her grip and stares up at me accusingly. “You’re not fine! You’re hurt!”
Despite my pain, a small smile quirks my lips at her concern. Was ever a male blessed with a mate as caring as mine? I doubt it.
And yet, when I glance at Varus, I find his mate fussing over him, as well.
He lifts his gaze to mine. “The Earth Clan has been summoned to see to the females.” Alarm fills me, but he quickly adds, “Only a few suffered minor injuries after falling from the Wind Clan warriors’ grasp. Healer Ranas has told me that all will recover.”
I lower my eyes in shame. I cannot believe my Clan is responsible for such a horrible crime. Injuring a female is an offense I would never have thought my people capable of committing.
I am to blame as well; if I had taken the throne when I should have, none of this would have happened.
I scan the city and notice that many structures have sustained damage from the fight. “We will aid in your repairs,” I assure Varus.
“That is not necessary,” he replies. “But I thank you for the offer, my friend.”
Friend. He has not called me this in many cycles. As the word leaves his mouth, my hearts feel whole in a way they have not since my mother’s death.
As if sensing my thoughts, he steps forward and claps a hand on my shoulder. “It has been too long since we have seen each other, has it not?”
I grip his shoulder in return and meet his eyes without hesitation. “Yes, it has, my friend.”
Tai approaches us, dropping to one knee. “My king, what would you have us do with your cousin?”
I snarl. “He is banished from the Wind Clan and all its territories.”
Tai dips his chin in a firm nod. “Yes, my king.”
I do not know where my cousin will go. None of the Clans will take him in once word of this attack spreads. Harming a female is a heinous crime to any Clan, and his attempt to steal them will forever mark him as a dishonorable male. He will die without ever taking a mate, for no female will accept a traitor.
As Tai walks away, Skye turns to me, mouth hanging open. Recovering, she bows slightly. “You’re the king now?”
I take both her hands and pull her upright. “Never bow to me. You are my mate and my equal. And if you accept, I will make you my queen.”
She gives me a hesitant look and then lowers her gaze. “You know, you could probably have any woman you want now that you’re the king.”
I reach out and stroke her cheek. “Why would I ever want a female besides the one who stands before me?”
A stunning smile curves her mouth. “You still want me?”
“Always.”
A tear slips down her cheek. “Then, yes. I will be your queen.”
“You will be mine?” I ask, wanting to make certain I’ve heard her correctly.
“Yes,” she repeats. I pull her into my arms, wrapping my wings tightly around her while ignoring the twinge of pain in my muscles. This beautiful, perfect female has agreed to be my mate.
I have never known such happiness.
Healer Ranas approaches me. “My Lord, I can heal you if you’d like.”
A low
