Page 253 of What Lies Within Blood & Heirs

Perhaps his queen spoke like she and Garrik did. Perhaps she convinced him to relent and abandon nulling her mate.

When she didn’t answer, the queen stood. Her gentle eyes scanned the battle leathers, the blood and dirt remaining where they hadn’t washed each other, and nodded as if to encourage Alora to speak.

“Somewhat passed three. Yes, Your Majesties.”

The queen glided down a step. “What is your name, lioness? Who is your family?”

“Alora,” she breathed. Her fingers began to ache.

Before she could pull at her fingertips, Garrik’s cold hand was in hers, as calming as it had ever been.

Sapphires swept beside her to Thalon, over her shoulder to Aiden and Jade, to Ezander beside Garrik before she met the green of the queens, and she proudly admitted, “They are my family.”

“A lioness claims a family of Ravens?” Nikolouse growled. His face contorted in disgust.

Jade snapped, “We arenotRavens.”

“No.” Thalon raised his head and smiled, baring his canines with pride. “We are Dragons.”

“Led by the High King’s wolf,” Nikolouse added flatly. He was still looking at Garrik with revulsion and hatred when he turned to Alora. Those roaring emotions simmered to disfavor when he surveyed her hair.

“School your face,king. The next time you look at my wife with displeasure and contempt, you will find the true beast I can be.” As if in emphasis, darkness gathered around Garrik’s shoulders. His veins marbled, skin tightened and paled, revealing razor-tipped teeth and sharp bones.

Garrik,Alora called to him, calmly.

By her soothing voice, that tender brush of her hand in his, he retracted those teeth and settled.

The king offered no apology but made the wise decision to forge his face anew. With caution, he stepped below his queen,inquiring, “Only Dellisaerin’s subjects can open the Wall. I called all white-haireds home when Magnelis usurped the realm. Did you not enjoy sanctuary here? Was life unburdened by his father not enough? Why did you leave?”

Subject?Alora shook her head, confused. “I’ve never lived here. I was born on the other side.”

That didn’t seem to please him. “Why did you not cross the Wall? Who is your family?”

Alora had the good sense to not repeat herself as last time. Instead, she responded, “My parents died when I was young. They never mentioned Dellisaerin.” A cold leather-covered arm slipped around her waist. She leaned into Garrik and added, “My mother was Nadeliene. I never knew my father’s name—they never spoke it. But he … he was an honorable male.” Tears lined her eyes. Her lips quivered. “The best father.”

Silence filled the throne room.

Nothing but wind and the yawns of stretching lion cubs filled the space.

Nikolouse accompanied his queen on the floor, cupping his hand in hers before they shared a critical glance. “He must have been if my sister renounced her claim to our father’s throne for the male.”

Alora backed away—untilshe hit Garrik’s freezing chest, until his arms were around her, holding her from crashing to the stones.

Not silence. Not echoing. But roaring filled her head.

Then heat. So much heat. Burning her palms, her face, everywhere her leathers touched.

She spun in Garrik’s embrace. Her knees almost buckled. “Is it—is it true?”

Something blisteringly wet slipped down her cheek. She couldn’t contain it.

Garrik’s eyes narrowed, and she knew he understood. Mere seconds passed. She barely heard him when he began speaking. “I see her.” He looked at Alora, eyes soft, broken with sorrow and grief. “Your mother. I see his memories of the female in your dreams.” His next words had her nearly falling to her knees. “What he says is true.”

In Garrik’s eyes, she saw the reflection of starflames growing. Saw Nikolouse pull his queen behind him.

Something was touching her face. Pulling her embered eyes to look into silver. Twisting them, turning his back to the king, Garrik pleaded,Clever girl, breathe. Please, breathe.Then his lips were moving.

She focused on them, on the way he was showing herhowto breathe.

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