Page 37 of Three Scorched Kingdoms

“Where are you off to now?”

“I need to meet with my advisors. We don’t have any defenses against these things. Your knowledge of how they work would be valuable.”

She hesitates. “I’m not sure I’m qualified to advise soldiers.”

I scoff. “And why not?”

She shakes her head. “I saw you this morning—sparring with Leo. There’s no way I could wield a weapon like that, so I hardly think your men will take me seriously.”

I smirk. “Is that what you noticed?” I ask, remembering the way she felt through our bond when our eyes met. When she blew me that kiss on the balcony. “I could have sworn you were too focused on the other thing I wield to notice how I fought.”

“You did not just say that.” Her cheeks flush, and I tip my head back, laughing at the effect my words have on her.

“Are you saying you weren’t admiring?—”

“Okay, okay. Busted,” she cuts me off, and I grin.

“That’s exactly why I want you beside me.” I wink. “I fight better when I have you to impress.”

Her mouth quirks at that, but she looks yet unconvinced. So, I drop the teasing and decide to give her the same honesty she gave me a moment ago. “The council sees you as an outsider,” I admit. “They claim you aren’t fit to lead our people since you aren’t one of us.”

“They’re not exactly wrong.”

“They’re using it as an excuse to steal power,” I say firmly. “It’s a cheap shot. Don’t let them land the blow.”

She takes a steadying breath. I watch as that part of her that had begun to retreat into her shell emerges again. She squares her shoulders, and I can’t help the pride I feel in her ability to find confidence in this moment.

“What should we do?” she asks.

“Let the people here get to know you. Show them who you are. How much you care. That you are willing to fight beside them. That you see them as more than a means to more power. Show them they matter to you and win their hearts.”

“You think that will be enough to stop the council if they try to keep us apart?”

“Darling,” I say quietly, letting my words scrape down the bond. She shivers, and I smile. “Nothing and no one could ever separate us again.”

I lean in, crashing my mouth against hers in a kiss that’s probably a lot more heated than it should be considering we’re in broad daylight in the royal gardens. But Paige responds instantly, her kiss as feverish as mine. My cock hardens, and Iseriously consider pulling her onto my lap and hiking this dress up to give us both some relief…

Fuck, this woman owns me.

But in the end, I ease back.

“Come,” I say, my voice hoarse.

Her lips curve at the invitation in that single word. I grin, knowing full well what I just said.

“Comewithme to the meeting,” I add with a grin. “And when we’re finished and I get you alone, you’ll comeforme.”

She smiles wickedly as she leans in. “Is that a promise?”

An hour later,Paige and I are sitting around the table with my top strategists. Leo, Mag, and Blossom are among them. Bingo is sprawled by the door, napping, by the sounds of the soft snores. It’s a strange mix of old and new, seeing so many familiar men among my new friends—and mate.

No one questions Paige’s presence, but when I explain the technology and what it can do and then nod at her to take the floor, a few brows go up.

Then she starts speaking.

Her explanation of the weapons and their capability soon breaks through whatever skepticism they might have harbored. A couple of them begin peppering her with questions that she fields all on her own. By the time her explanations are finished, respect shines in their eyes.

She returns to her seat next to mine, and I reach for her hand, squeezing once lightly before releasing her. Through the bond, I send her my pride and approval.

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