Page 54 of A Shard of Ice

“I always felt that you were the better option as the icefae king.”

“Bite your tongue, Primus.”

“I will not because I speak only the truth. You are the more suitable candidate. With the icefae, it is the oldest son who takesthe crown. Not so with all the other fae species. It’s the most suitable royal for the job. With the shifters, it can be anyone; royal blood does not count at all. That’s why they are so strong as a species. At least, they were once strong.” He looks wistful for a moment.

“My brother was the best choice. He was groomed to be king from when he could first speak. Kyran was a good leader. If he had been allowed to serve his time, he would have been great.” A knife twists in my gut.

“He was hot-headed.”

My jaw ticks.

Cassius laughs. “Your brother would have had me in a chokehold by now if the roles had been reversed.” He says it with affection rather than malice.

I feel something in me soften. It’s true. Kyran had a short fuse. It was easy to rile him.

“I can see your anger, but you handle it well.”

“Perhaps if Kyran had been allowed to grow up…to mature…he would have been less reactive. We were still young. Too young.” My voice catches.

“You’re the younger sibling, and yet I still stand by my original statement that you are the better leader. The better candidate for king, and you shall have your chance.”

My skin crawls.

“Why do you keep saying that? Snow is the ruler of all. I am king of nothing. It doesn’t matter.”

“Queen Snow has set her sights on you. If she can’t have Kyran, then—”

“Don’t say it!” I snarl.

“You do look so much like him.”

“No!” I shake my head.

“She wants to crown a king. Someone to stand at her side. To offer her counsel. To be her confidant. She needs a good male.A good leader. Someone with a good heart and an ironclad will, and you are that male.”

“I willnevermarry Snow.” My voice booms. “I will never agree to something so vile. She was once like a sister to me, and now…now she’s—”

“Remember my warning. Heed it well. Choose your words wisely.”

I bark out a humorless laugh. “I’m not him. I’ll never be Kyran. She would never be happy, and neither would I.”

It would be pure torture.

“You could have an impact.” He speaks with urgency. His eyes are solemn, his expression grave. “You could save us, Sire. I would urge you to at least consider accepting her offer.”

“I don’t love her. I never will.”

“There is more at stake than love. So much more. You’re a king, and kings marry for reasons other than love all the time. In fact, it is rare for a king to take a bride he truly loves. You should do what is right for the realm…for the greater good.” He clasps my wrist. His hands are surprisingly soft and warm. “You have an opportunity to do good. Queen Snow is lost…so very lost. She needs an anchor. You are that anchor, Damon. It’s you. Please, for the good of both humans and fae alike, for the good of us all, I would ask you to think about it. To think long and hard before you make a decision. You have two days and two nights before we reach the Ice Court.” I’ve never seen such desperation in a person’s eyes before.

19

Kyrie

I flail and kick against arms of steel, my foot finally making contact with a shin.

“Do not fight me!” she growls. I am shocked because it is a woman who speaks. It is a woman who is holding me so tightly in her grip.

I go still.

---