“Tell me, Keryth.” She crosses her arms. “Were you disappointed when you realized I was your mate?”

I jerk back. “Of course not.”

Was I surprised? Yes. Who would’ve thought my soul mate would be the daughter of the man I hated most? But I was never disappointed.

With slow steps, I stalk toward her. “I would trade you for no one. You are mine, and I’m proud to say so.”

She accepts my embrace, melting into my arms. “But how am I to ever fit in here?”

“Time,” I answer. “Just give it time, and please forgive me.”

With tortured eyes, she looks up at my face. “What my father said… about you causing the plague as revenge. Is it true?”

“No.”

“You can tell me if it is. It’s better to get it out in the open now. I’ll understand—”

“No.” Grasping her shoulders, I give her a little shake to emphasize how much I mean it. “Believe me, that’s never something I wanted.”

“I think it’s clear what needs to happen.” Silas plants his hands on his hips, a pompous air of authority surrounding him. “You two have issues to work out. Until then, you’re not fit to rule. Pass the crown to me.”

Here we go again. Over the years, he’s used every excuse to gain control. I don’t think he’d be bad at it, but the position is rightfully mine.

“Absolutely not,” I refuse.

“This kingdom needs a stable leader.”

I bark out a laugh. “Oh, and you think I’m not stable?”

“Your relationship isn’t.”

My mood darkens. Insulting my marriage is the quickest way to piss me off. “Don’t say that.”

“It’s true. The people don’t approve of this. You’re losing their respect.”

He’s trying to back me into a corner, using my loyalty to the kingdom as a weapon. I can’t give Zella up and he knows it. So he’s implying that by stepping down, I would be making the right move.

However, there’s another option: the people can adjust to the change, like it or not.

“I’m the king, and that’s the way it’ll stay,” I state flatly.

“I thought you might say that,” Silas drawls, holding his palms out. “Which is why I issue a challenge.”

Two swords appear in his hands, and Zella stiffens against me. She’s probably never seen someone pull an object from thin air, but Silas can import any object from anywhere in Valora as long as he’s touched it before.

He tosses my sword to me, and I step away from Zella to catch it.

I can’t refuse the challenge. If I do, I’d be willingly giving up my title. I glance at Zella and there’s fear in her eyes as she looks at the sharp weapons.