Page 286 of Lady of Starfire

Ashtine’s gaze moved to Scarlett. “A Consort then. In title only. No responsibilities. No say in political matters or policies, but she will retain the protection of a prince’s Consort. Is that agreeable to you?”

Talwyn met Scarlett’s silver gaze across the table and held it while the High Queen searched for whatever it was she was looking for. Finally Scarlett said, “Is that acceptable to the rest of the people at this table?”

When no one voiced a disagreement, her gaze slid to Azrael. “Is that acceptable to you, Prince Luan?”

“It is,” Az answered.

“Then that is decided,” Scarlett said, before fixing her attention on Briar and Ashtine. “What of you two?”

“What of us?” Briar asked, eyes narrowing on Scarlett.

“Where will you reside?”

Briar glanced at Ashtine, who only smiled up at him. Pure love and adoration.

Talwyn leaned forward and grabbed an apple as she listened to the conversation around her.

“If you are still offering, we would like to take up residence at the Black Halls,” Briar answered. “We can both portal to our respective Courts as needed. Ashtine has Ermir, and I have Neve to oversee matters when we are not present. Until the babes are of age and ready to take their thrones.”

“I made the offer when I asked you to be the Fae King and Queen. I am not rescinding it now. As long as I can visit during the dismally cold winter months,” Scarlett answered with a bow of her head in their direction.

“And you, Sunshine?” Briar asked, his icy blue eyes bouncing between Scarlett and Sorin. “Where will you reside?”

“In the Fire Court, obviously,” Eliza drawled, twisting to look down the table. “Right?”

“You are the Fire Princess,” Sorin said, rolling his lips to keep his smile from forming.

“No, I am the Fire General,” Eliza gritted out.

“We will remain at the Fiera Palace for now,” Scarlett cut in. “The White Halls will remain empty until a new King or Queen of the Eastern Courts is ready to inhabit them.”

“Is there anything else we are needed for?” Azrael asked.

“I believe we are done here,” Scarlett answered, and Azrael immediately pushed back from the table. As he reached for Talwyn’s hand though, she said, “Wait.”

They both paused, Talwyn halfway out of her seat.

“Thank you. Both of you. For everything you gave. For fighting,” the High Queen said. “Just…thank you.”

Talwyn didn’t say anything, and Azrael nodded in a bow to her before he Traveled them to the Wind Court. She was taking Thorne to the Earth Court today, and the griffin was standing outside the stables when they appeared.

His wing was still heavily bandaged. He wouldn’t be able to fly for at least another month the Witches said, and even then, only small, short flights for a while. The griffin had been in a pissy mood about it since he’d been able to stand on his own again.

He made a disgruntled sound when they appeared, clawing at the dirt with his front talons.

“You are sure about this?” Azrael asked, eyeing the griffin. “He could go back to the Witch Kingdoms. Be with other griffins. I can make you a portal whenever you wish, Talwyn.”

She walked forward, reaching up to run a hand down Thorne’s beak. He huffed into her hand before lowering his head to nudge at her, right where she had been stabbed in the side. Talwyn smoothed a hand down his neck.

“He’ll let me know when he needs to go spend time there,” she replied, holding out the apple she still held in her hand. Thorne crunched it down with a few snaps of his beak, immediately lifting his head and looking for more.

“At home, you overgrown buzzard,” she muttered when he nudged her harder than necessary. The griffin seemed to still at the words, and she ran a hand down his neck again, keeping it there when she looked up at Azrael. “Areyousure about this?”

“About a griffin at the Alcazar? Not in the slightest,” he answered, moving forward and stretching out a hand towards Thorne. The griffin shifted, a warning growl rumbling, but he let Az run a hand along his feathers.

“No,” Talwyn said. “About me being your Consort.”

Azrael’s hand fell to his side as he turned to face her fully. “Why are you asking me a question you already know the answer to?”

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