Page 35 of Three Scorched Kingdoms

Finally, I spot her strolling the royal gardens.

Hurrying around the hedges, I call to her. “Paige!”

“Aries?” She quickens her step toward me. “What’s wrong?”

I catch her in my arms, holding tight as if the feel of her against me will chase away the fear. “Are you all right?” I ask, drawing back to study her.

“I’m fine.” She looks wary now. “Are you? Did something happen?”

“Several somethings, I’m afraid.”

“Okay, you’re scaring me.”

“Let’s sit.” With a grimace, I lead her over to a bench. Behind it is a hedge of rose bushes. Their white blooms seem out of place in a day filled with so much conflict.

“First, you should know that I’m going to do everything I can to fix it,” I begin.

“Fix what?”

Quickly, I tell her about the council’s stunt and subsequent deal for giving me back the throne.

“Wait, they took a vote to remove you as heir?” she asks, shock written all over her features. “As king?” she adds, her voice rising.

“Apparently, yes.”

“They can’t do that,” she declares, shock turning to outrage as her cheeks flush. She blinks, adding, “Can they?”

“Unfortunately, they can and did.” I tell her about Esma’s involvement and Leo’s knowledge of the law, including the one that says I can challenge them all to a fight.

She eyes me knowingly. “Please tell me you didn’t do that.”

“No.” I sigh. “Leo and my mother both pointed out how that wouldn’t be wise to win the people over in the end.”

“They’re right,” she says, taking my hand.

“That may be, but unfortunately, this also means there won’t be a wedding anytime soon.”

A shadow passes over her expression. Something unreadable though I swear it looks almost like … relief.

“I see.” She frowns, her forehead crinkling in worry, and then I wonder if I imagined such a strange response. “How do they expect to defeat the orcs without the magic from a mated dragon king on the throne?”

“That’s part of the deal. I have to defeat the orcs without it. Then I will be recognized as heir, and we can be married—and crowned.”

She exhales, and the way her shoulders sag, I can’t tell if it’s worry or the release of one. “Is everything all right?”

“Honestly…” She bites her lip.

“Paige, you can tell me anything.”

“That’s what Mag said.”

My brow lifts. “You’re taking relationship advice from Mag now? Should I be worried?”

She laughs. “No, he said you’d understand.”

“Understand what?”

She lifts her gaze to mine, uncertainty darkening her lovely eyes. “I think… I prefer to wait to be married.”

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