Page 80 of Three Scorched Kingdoms

Esma’s shock snaps into fury. “No!” she shrieks, her voice high and desperate. “Guards, arrest her! Arrest them all!”

But the guards, the same ones who had followed the council’s orders without question, now stand still. Their eyes flicker to Queen Dorthea, to me, and finally to Paige, and it’s clear they no longer recognize Esma’s authority.

Paige turns slowly, her gaze sweeping over the soldiers who remain unmoving. “No,” she says firmly, her voice ringing with command. “Arrest them.”

For a moment, no one moves. The tension is so thick it feels like the entire room is holding its breath. Then, as if released from a spell, the guards step forward, shifting their attention from us to the council members. Esma’s face twists in panic as the soldiers move toward her and the others.

“You can’t do this!” she cries, backing away as the guards close in. “This isn’t how it’s supposed to be!”

No one speaks up on her behalf.

As the guards lead the council members away, Esma’s shrieks of protest fade into the background. My gaze meets Paige’s, and I find a fierce, triumphant light in her eyes that mirrors my own feelings.

The kingdom is safe. The people are safe. And we’re finally free of the shadows that have hung over us for so long.

But as the noise of the departing guards and murmuring crowd begins to subside, another feeling rises in my chest—something warmer, more hopeful. My mother catches my eye and inclines her head pointedly toward my mate. I take a step toward Paige, my heart pounding, not with the adrenaline of battle but with the clarity of what I need to do next.

“Paige,” I begin, my voice low, just for her despite the crowded room. She turns to me fully, the fierce light in her eyes softening as she reads the emotion in my face.

“Yes?” she asks, her voice a blend of curiosity and something else—something that makes me believe she already knows what I’m about to say.

I reach out, taking both of her hands in mine. The room, the crowd, the entire kingdom seems to fade away, leaving just the two of us in this moment. “We’ve been through so much together,” I say, my voice thick with emotion. “You’ve stood byme, fought beside me, and shown me what it means to truly love and protect this kingdom.”

Her eyes glisten with unshed tears, but she doesn’t look away. I can see the understanding there, the connection that has grown stronger with every challenge we’ve faced.

“I can’t imagine ruling Astronia without you,” I continue, my grip on her hands tightening just slightly. “I can’t imagine my life without you.”

She inhales sharply, and I see the tears welling up, though she tries to blink them away. I step closer, our foreheads almost touching, the space between us charged with everything we haven’t yet said.

“Paige,” I say, my voice barely a whisper now, “will you marry me and build a life together here with me in Astronia—as its queen?”

For a moment, she doesn’t respond—doesn’t seem to breathe. But then, a tear slips free, and she nods, a smile breaking through the emotion on her face. “Yes,” she whispers, her voice full of joy and relief. “Yes, Aries, I will.”

The world rushes back in as I pull her into a tight embrace, the cheers of the crowd swelling around us, but all I can focus on is her—Paige, my mate, my love, my future queen. When I pull back to look at her, the tears in her eyes are mirrored in my own, but for once, there’s no sadness here—only the promise of what’s to come.

As the crowd continues to cheer, I lean in and press a kiss to her forehead then to her lips, sealing the promise we’ve just made to each other. This is our new beginning, the start of a life together that we’ve both fought so hard to build.

And as we turn to face the people of Astronia, hand in hand, I know that, no matter what challenges lie ahead, we will face them together. Astronia will have a mated dragon pair on its throne once again.

21

PAIGE

The grand hall of the castle is a riot of color and light, filled with the hum of voices and the rustle of fine fabrics as Astronia’s nobility and citizens gather for the ceremony. Banners in deep blues and golds hang from the high ceilings, catching the sunlight streaming through the stained-glass windows. It feels like the entire kingdom has packed into this space, and for the first time in weeks, the air is thick with hope rather than tension and fear.

I stand up front on the dais beside Aries, my hand in his. The warmth of his skin against mine is a quiet comfort, grounding me in this moment, even as my heart swells with so many conflicting emotions. There’s a part of me that still aches with the loss of the Athenaeum, a hollow feeling that hasn’t left me since the flames took it. But here, surrounded by the people we fought so hard to protect, that ache is softened by the knowledge that we did it—we saved Astronia.

And now, we’re about to see the final piece of that victory fall into place.

Sadness threatens to close in, but I shove it aside. There will be time for mourning the library later. Today, I am determined to celebrate. My eyes catch on the emerald thrones, the inlaidgems glistening where they catch the light. They are equal in shape and size. Partners in every way that matters. Exactly like Aries and me.

My joy flares bright as Queen Dorthea steps forward, her regal presence commanding the room. Even after everything she’s been through, she’s the epitome of grace and strength. The crowd hushes as she reaches the throne, the murmurs dying down until the only sound is the soft rustle of her gown as she turns to face us all.

“People of Astronia,” Dorthea begins, her voice clear and strong, carrying across the hall. “Today, we restore what was lost. Today, we return to the path of truth, justice, and unity. I stand before you, not as a queen who clings to power but as a servant of this kingdom—one who believes in its bright future.”

The crowd is silent, every eye fixed on her.

Over Aries’ shoulder, I catch Mag’s eye. He’s dressed in the finest suit I’ve ever seen. When he sees me watching, he shoots me a huge wink that has me grinning. Next to him, the gnomes stand proudly, their chests puffed up in their tiny little suits and matching hats. I wave at them, and they jump up and down in excitement.

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