Page 39 of Moon Raven Rising
I finally turn to face my brother. This is not how I wanted them to find out about him being alive. The asshole always has a flare for dramatics. He stumbles, and as he comes within reach, I can smell the bitter, strong scent of whiskey coming from him.
“You’re drunk?” I can’t mask the angry hurt from my voice. “This is how you want Ma and Pa to see you for the first time since youdied?” I ask sternly.
“I guess it’s a family trait, eh Dax-i-boy?” I didn’t think it possible, but Ma’s shoulders tense further, and then she finally turns to face Alaric.
“If what you are saying is a dig at your father, you would be sorely mistaken, Alaric Amarose, and that is your king you speak to. Have I taught you nothing of respect?” My mother scolds.
“Do you mean, AlaricRavendene, mother? That is who fathered your bastard born, isn’t it?”Shit.Shit. Shit.
“Alaric, you will not speak to your mother like that.” My father growls. Everyone in the room is silent as my family drama plays out in front of the kingdom leaders.
“Perhaps if she would have talked to me, I wouldn’t have had todieto get the answers I needed.” He narrows his eyes on our mother as he nearly growls the words. Trent, my father, mother, and brother all erupt into an argument at once. My ears are surely red, burning with anger and embarrassment. To my surprise, it’s Dax who slams his hands down on the table, silencing the room once again. Shadows blast from his palms in a plume of darkness that blankets the table and seeps over it like a waterfall of ink.
“ENOUGH! We do not have time for this. My wife,your queen, is in gods knows how much trouble as we speak! I willhear not another word of this back and forth. There is a time and place, and this is not it.” Dax growls through bared teeth; as the room settles, so do Dax’s shadows.
Trent pulls Alaric down into the chair at his side and gives him a look that says ‘What the fuck’ before shaking his head and looking back at Dax.
“I agree with Cano.” He continues, as more shock filters through the room. “We will leave Castenelle, but I will not go in blind to Demetrey. That’s why Cano is going to work with Maki to give him every single detail about the castle.” Dax says, staring a hole through Cano’s forehead.
“I can help. I was a guard there the whole time. I know even the passages used by soldiers and chambermaids.” Flynn says, stepping forward from where he resides by the wall. With a nod of agreement from Dax, Flynn steps back. His back pressed against the stone pillar once more.
My eyes trail the room, pausing only briefly on Kait, where she sits at Maki’s side. The look on her scarred face is unreadable and distant—a stoic soldier. It’s probably the most reserved and quiet I’ve ever witnessed her to be.
“Then the first part of the plan is settled. While you figure out the map, I will decide who will be going in and who will be leading the regime.” Dax continues. My heart is thundering in my chest with the need to get all of my secrets out at once. We have so much going on, and I don’t know when I will have everyone in the same room again.
The screech of a chair pulls my attention, and when I realize that it is Trent, I move to stand too, but he stops me. Bending to one knee. The thundering of my heart was nothing but a flutter before, because now I feel as though war drums are being played in my chest.
A clamor of a chair being pulled out and pushed in before boots stomp from the room tries to pull my attention away, butmy eyes lock with Trent’s golden hazel gaze and the room falls away.
“I know this is news to you, and I’m sorry that this could not be done differently.” Trent glances to my parents briefly and then back to me; my breath catches in my throat as my lips part.
“As some of you know, Ambriel and I have been blessed by the gods. Bonded, however, I knew in my heart before then that I would have wanted her at my side for eternity. Today, I hope that this union can be blessed by her parents and the king, my brother. I would be honored if you would accept me as your bonded mateandwife.” At some point in his speech, Trent pulled my hand into his, slipping a delicate silver band onto my finger. The blood that’s rushing in my ears mutes out all else as I am solely focused on my mate before me, bent down on one knee.
“I know there isn’t time for a bonding ceremony before we need to get Raelle, but after. I would love to give you everything you deserve and more. Will you be my wife?” I’m nodding before he even finishes, crying and jumping into his arms as he stands. I wanted to lay everything out for my parents to know, and I know this is some of it, but right now, everything else can wait.
Chapter thirty-two
That stain of ason of mine is going to meet his fucking end at the tip of my blade. He’s been nothing but useless since he was born. Every task I’ve ever given him, he’s disappointed me miserably. I blame Dax and that fucking instructor, Miles. If he isn’t dead already, I hope I can string him up next to the lot of them for the kingdom to see at my coronation.
“Sire,” the guard comes to an abrupt stop just inside the door of the smoking room. I stop pacing to turn and look at him.
“What have you found?” I snap.
“A messenger is here, a Loema guard. From Ravendene.” He says quickly, and my eyes narrow as he waves in another guard clad in brushed black armor and a deeper black Raven on a crescent moon emblem across the chest. Not an emblem I have seen a Loema soldier display before…“First commander, Pascal, of Loema.”
“Soren.” The man addresses me without title, and the immediate disrespect causes my blood to heat.
“If you come here to—”
“I came with a missive from the King of Aldramani.” He interrupts, and I take a moment to stare at the man who clearly has a death wish.
“I am theKingof Aldramani,” I growl. He doesn’t respond; he only lifts his hand, his eyes never lowering. He holds an envelope addressed to me with the same emblem on his chest, sealing the letter. My jaw clenches tight as I rip it from his hand. I turn from the guards and storm to the hearth, ripping open the letter.
Soren,
As you may now realize, despite your best efforts, you no longer hold me prisoner in Castenelle. Accept this as your only warning—and my official claim on the throne of the kingdom.
Raelle is the rightful heir, and as her bonded mate, forged by fire and blood, I now am King of Aldramani. You have always wanted my shadows, and now I can promise you this: you will have them.
