Page 106 of Under the Lion Star

“Pullam dragged Nima into the castle,” Atlas laughed quietly. “She spilled the beans. Sanna’s in trouble, too.”

“Why would you think it was okay to involve my sister?” I peered down at Z, who closed her eyes.

“She wanted to help,” my wife shrugged. “We all want to help you, Leor.”

“I’ll allow it moving forward,” I agreed but was quick to add on. “So long as it doesn’t put anyone at risk of death or imprisonment.”

“We can torch this lot,” Orin motioned to the pile of bodies. “If you all wanted to head back to the castle. The smell isn’t something I think our queen wants to experience.”

“Please,” Z nodded.

We stood, but I scooped Zialda into my arms. She protested for a few seconds before realizing she was too tired to fight me on this and settled her head against my shoulder. The streets were mostly empty in the dark of night, but Atlas kept a watchful eye as we moved.

Galvord was a beautiful city, and I realized that I would finally be able to enjoy life here once more. My siblings were no longer in tatters, no one was trying to kill me, and our peace with the humans felt more solid by the day.

It didn’t escape my notice that Atlas and Zialda had helped on every front. Life alone was pointless. My social circle may be small, but we’d built a family from the remnants of tragedy, and I truly loved them with every ounce of my being.

Sanna was waiting for us in the atrium as we entered the castle. She and Zialda exchanged a conspiratorial smile, to which I groaned while Atlas laughed.

“You’re still in trouble,” I glared at my sister.

“I’m just glad you’re okay,” Sanna’s eyes welled with moisture.

Zialda quickly jumped from my hold and wrapped her arms around my sister. She stroked Sanna’s hair, whispering praises about how they couldn’t have ended things without her help. I was torn between locking them in their rooms for the next eighty years or throwing a parade to honor their courage and intelligence.

“Are you still sending me to Keldsfen?” Sanna asked, glancing between me and Atlas.

“No reason to now, I suppose,” I raked my fingers through my hair. “But you’re on thin fucking ice, Sanna.”

“No more ancient Elldaran magic,” she nodded resolutely. “Promise.”

“Gods guide me,” I groaned. “Let’s not even mention it, yeah? That’s not something that we want anyone overhearing.”

Sanna looked down at her toes, but I could see that she was grinning.

“Can she come to my aunt’s with me tomorrow?” Zialda asked, looking at me with pleading eyes.

Fuck me.

“Yeah,” I sighed. “But Atlas goes with the two of you from now on. Hopefully, between the three of you, there will be less chance of someone doing something stupid.”

“I don’t think I’m the best choice for that,” Atlas grimaced.

“You’re all I’ve got. Deal with it.”

Atlas stood up straight, giving me an exaggerated salute. I couldn’t hold back the laughter, but I shook my head at him all the same. Sanna giggled, the hand she held over her mouth doing little to mute the sound.

I reached for Z’s hand and led her up the stairs to our room. She shifted on her feet nervously as I closed the door and stalked toward her.

“Am I to be punished?” She batted her eyelashes at me.

“You have no fucking idea,” I growled. “Get these clothes off.”

“Yes, my king,” she winked.

She turned to face me once she was fully naked. Her smirk widened as she looked me over.

“Your turn,” she said quietly.

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