Page 79 of A Crown of Fates

The only choice I’m left with is the one that terrifies me most—merging my kingdom with Venaris, under the rule of King Aeson.

The treaty sits on my desk, its edges worn from countless nights of deliberation. I’d been ready to sign it once, desperate to give my people hope of a brighter future. But then, I visited Selaris. I saw the undeniable love between Theo and Estee as well as Asher and Isla. The strength of their bonds is profound. It made me crave something I’ve long convinced myself I didn’t need.

Now that I’m back in Alcaris, the ache for something more plagues me. But to sign this treaty—to bind my future and my people’s survival to Aeson—feels like sacrificing the last shred of hope for myself.

Aeson isn’t my mate. He’s not even my friend. An ally, yes. But can I trust him? That’s something my wolf refuses to extend to him.

It doesn’t matter that he promises we would become the king and queen of the new kingdom, where not only my people would be taken care of, but so would I. He seems to think I should take this as further incentive, but tying myself to him sounds like a life sentence.

It’s not that he’s a bad person. His pack seems happy, he keeps an advisory council, abides by all rules, and almost always has a smile on his face, but none of that changes the facts.

Aeson’s my true mate and the terms of his proposed agreement are clear.

My people will have a new and better place to call home and Aeson will have me as his queen, by his side, in all ways. Something he seems even more eager to obtain now that both Asher and Theo have theirs.

I want to believe that he means well, especially knowing that whenever I visit the Venaris castle, I have the oddest sense of home and belonging. Even when I’m in Aeson’s presence, there’s a connection there, but it’s not one built from love or even lust.

Not that I’ve dreamed of fairytales all my life. I’ve spent years fighting alongside my people, unafraid of getting my hands dirty and proving my worth as an unmated queen. Still, I thought I would find my mate by now, that I’d no longer be alone in my struggles.

The fact that I haven’t has made me work ten times harder in this world. Not only for my people, but for the respect of my peers.

There isn’t a war or conflict that I’ve avoided over the years, knowing that the chance to show my strength was never something I could pass up. Yet, the fiercest battle I’ve beenfighting, the one I need to win most, is the only one I can’t seem to figure out.

Why are my lands dying?

“Your Majesty,” Clara, my closest advisor, says as she enters my office. “You wanted to see me.”

I nod, gesturing for her to enter. “Close the door behind you.”

She does so quickly and turns to face me. Her blonde hair is pinned back, tightly wrapped at the base of her neck, and her piercing green eyes somehow see through my pretenses. I shouldn’t be surprised. There’s a reason I’ve called her here. Not only is she my closest confidante, her sharp wit and unwavering loyalty have made her indispensable to me.

I place my hand over Aeson’s proposal. “Tell me what to do about this.”

Her lips twitch, a barely suppressed sigh escaping. “My queen, you know I can’ttellyou anything.”

“With every matter apart from this one, you seem to have no problem doing so,” I counter her snark. “Now, quit being difficult.”

She grins. “I’ve already given you several scenarios on how this treaty could work out, both in and out of our favor. Would you like me to repeat them?”

I grimace. “You know what I’m asking, and it’s not as your queen.”

I can’t remember when we crossed the line from queen-and-advisor to friends, but I need the latter from Clara right now. Unfortunately for me, she enjoys dragging this out of me, especially over this particular subject.

She takes a seat across from me and reaches above her head. “I’ll take off my advisor hat, but only for you.” She pretends to toss the imaginary object across the room before offering me a compassionate smile. “As yourfriend, I think you should throwthat agreement in the fire. We’ll figure this out ourselves. We still have time.”

“Do we? Half the pack has already begun requesting transfers to other kingdoms,” I remind her.

“Think of it this way,” she muses. “You’re weeding out the weak. Those who’re already jumping ship were never completely loyal to you anyway.”

I scoff. “Or maybe they’re just being smart, jumping before they risk sinking with the rest of us.”

Clara levels her gaze on me, clasping her hands together. “You don’t love Aeson, and for him to only offer to help our people if you willingly become his mate doesn’t make me think kindly of him. If he had pure intentions, he’d offer to do something about our problems, instead of trying to sweep them under the rug.”

This is another discussion we’ve had more than once, and I agree with her. Yes, Aeson has allowed my people to come and go from his lands, getting the necessities we need to survive from Venaris as often as we choose, but outside of opening his doors to us, he’s offered no potential solutions that will save Alcaris. He wants me at his side, and the fact that I can’t figure out why drives me insane.

“And knowing that his mate died and chose not to be reborn…” Clara shakes her head. “Something isn’t right there, Sloane, and you know it.”

Gods, do I, but the choices I’m left with aren’t ideal. If I deny Aeson and can’t save what’s left of my land, I’ll not only lose my home, but so will everyone who’s trusted me and stayed. I’ll lose my crown and the power to advocate for them and then what?

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