Page 126 of Shrine of Fire

I gestured again at Lord Baylin. “Bring the royal chest, since you seem to have ensured the Ember King has heard of all our efforts.”

Lord Baylin turned pale, but his court face never slipped. “Of course, I brought our king tidings of his son. It is part of my royal duty.” He brought forward the chest.

I sat the chest down in front of the throne and opened it with a flourish.

“We will usher in a new age of prosperity. We bring the Ember King crystals from the Tolagian Jungles and silver from the Rannoian Empire as a gift and a promise for this new age.”

An excited murmur went through the court.

I could have added something more to that. Something servile, to soothe my father’s ego in hopes that he would let this pass.

But I was done with trying to maneuver around him. Done with trying to make him happy.

“My prince, since we are announcing our great deeds,” Lord Baylin started. “Might now be as good as a time as any to announce the Royal Bondmarks?”

Lord Baylin gave me a single glance.

Game, set, and match.

It was bad enough that we didn’t wait for the ceremony. Father wouldn’t have cared much.

But there was no way I could explain Hashir bonding the pack.

“There will be plenty of time for that, after we have rested.” Nova shot Lord Baylin a dark look.

Father looked pleased for once, and it sickened me. He liked us at each other’s throats, scrambling for the upper hand, knowing he held the trump card the entire time.

Here went nothing.

I looked at Nova and then Hashir, and then the rest of the pack.

“In the spirit of our joy, I shall share with the entire court our bondmarks.”

I gestured at Nova. “My greatest love, it is traditional for the omega to show her bondmark first.”

She eyed me. “If you would like, my prince.”

“Oh yes,” I smiled. “It is time for all our announcements, don’t you think?”

Part of me enjoyed the chaos that was about to ensue.

Nova slid her dress off her shoulder, revealing a shiny pink bondmark. It was beautiful, and for a moment I almost leaned over so I could lick it and make her gasp.

I focused on knowing this was the point of no return. We were going to bind a primordial spirit. If I could do that, if I could show my love for Nova, I could stand up to my father once and for all.

I nodded at Aki, and he showed his own bondmark. Cuan pulled his green tunic to the side and showed his with a flourish.

“And why is that alpha still with you?” Father sneered, looking at me.

I grinned. I wanted to capture this moment in my mind forever. I was only sorry my brother Nikki wasn’t here to see it.

I took off the amulet making me scent as an alpha. My beta scent flowed over me, filling the area around me with soothing cotton and lemon. I pushed my robe to the side. “He is my alpha. As the Crown Prince, I have decided certain customs are…outdated.”

A loud murmur went through the crowd.

Father’s face went white with shock. He gestured with one hand. “Guards, seize them.”

“I have done nothing but serve our beautiful country well.” I straightened my back. “Your oldest son and I have brought glory to Ember Islands unrivaled since the golden age.”

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