Total pages in book: 182
Estimated words: 171176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 856(@200wpm)___ 685(@250wpm)___ 571(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 171176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 856(@200wpm)___ 685(@250wpm)___ 571(@300wpm)
Not the dragon royals, though. Not Finley, at least. She’d given me an out. She’d told me to be happy. Hell, she’d even told me that I could rip Weston away from her kingdom, that he’d allow me to do it. A move like that would cripple their pack, yet she was open and honest, wanting the best for me. Just as she clearly wanted the best for her people.
When I took my place at Nyfain’s side, it was to fight for this kingdom. It was to fight for what I believe in, for a better place, a stronger, more cohesive community. Every day I work toward this kingdom’s prosperity, not just for those with the most gold, but for all. I want everyone well, want everyone as happy as possible. I want this place to thrive.
She’d said it, and she’d meant it. She’d proven it in how she took me aside behind her mate’s back, with how she’d given me all the information that her mate was trying to hide, and done it right in front of his face. She stuck up for what she believed in, and, in so doing, asked that I do it too.
Weston continued. “They are a long-established kingdom with a lot of clout. They are well run, well managed, and push for peace. Their army isn’t great, but they’ve worked to build it up in the event the worst should happen, which it did over a year ago. This kingdom shouldered the bulk of that conflict. Still, they saw the need for improvement and are rising to the occasion. As far as leadership, they are one of the better kingdoms.”
“And this kingdom?”
He took a deep breath. “I’m biased.”
“Of course you are. Maybe your bias here will balance out my desire to be a fairy queen and rule the land with my crown and scepter or whatever they have.”
“This kingdom comprises a lot of people who barely survived a very hard time. They’re fighters, dreamers, builders. They are rough around the edges, don’t follow the typical social norms of a court, and don’t care who you are—just what you can do. Here, you prove yourself or you get out of the way. It’s a kingdom that is making more gold than any other kingdom, but whose royals are not keeping it for themselves or their top people. You wouldn’t get paid nearly as much here as you would with the fairies. Not even half, I think. They won’t sacrifice the wellbeing of their kingdom to keep us—you or me. I respect that about them.”
“You love it here.”
“I do.”
“Even lonely as you are.”
“Even so. I owe Finley a life debt for getting me out of that demon dungeon. I count her and Nyfain as friends, something usually unthinkable with royals. They should be above me, but they’ve had it so hard that decorum often slips away when they are able to relax. The pack I’ve built is strong, and they let me lead it as I see fit. Micah and I don’t get along well, but we’ve made it work. The kingdom is cohesive, solid. The dragons are a rush to fight beside. And when it comes to material possessions, I have more than I need here.”
“You’d give all that up to go with me?”
“That’s why I didn’t mention any of this before now. I knew it would affect your decision. Yes, Aurelia, I would give that up to be with you. I love it here, but I want a family, our family. I want you as my mate, and, you and the gods willing, children. I want to watch you with our child like I see you with Tabitha. I want to watch as you hand our baby to me and say, ‘Here’s your daddy.’ You’ve sacrificed so much to get to this point. I think it is only fair that I be willing to sacrifice for us to get to the next step.”
I stopped resisting the urge and climbed into his lap, my legs draped over the sides of his. I slipped a hand under the hem of his shirt and onto his warm skin, tracing my fingers over the muscle I found there.
“I haven’t sacrificed to get here,” I murmured, tucking myself against his body. “I was stolen, and because I was stolen, I was saved. I have always wanted to live with the fairies, it’s true, but I think it is enough that I am one.”
He pulled back a little, just enough to look me in the eye. “You need to be sure.”
“No, I don’t. I don’t assume this magic is going to go away. If I end up hating it here, I can always go to them later. They want me more than I want them.”
“Aurelia, you need to be sure, baby, because I can’t integrate you into the pack and then uproot us both if you decide to leave later. This isn’t just your life we are talking about here—it’s theirs too.”