“We should move it forward,” Lina cut him off, and Darrow gave her a sympathetic smile as if this were a conversation that had happened many times before. “We don’t need to wait for all the decorations and festivities. We can crown me now and then celebrate later. The kingdom will be tense until I am the official ruler.”

“Your people have suffered.” Darrow set his fork down and steepled his fingers. “They’re frightened from the attack. Their Queen has just died. Right now they need a calm, steady leader. Frantically crowning yourself will bring just as much unease. Let them see you have it all under control. Let them know they can trust your capable leadership.”

Lina released a long-suffering sigh and turned back to her dessert.

“What would you advise, Tem?” Carys asked, glancing between Darrow and Lina.

Tem draped his arm over the back of his chair. “I think Lina was born to rule the West.” He looked pointedly at Bri with a grin and she frowned back at him. “And whether it is made official tonight or in two weeks that won’t change. But I support her decision wholeheartedly regardless.”

“No, you’re right,” Lina growled, stabbing at her pear. “A tempered approach is best right now.”

Lina could take whatever she wanted, do whatever she wanted, and no one would stop her, but she had more self-control than most too. Her desire to do what was right for her people superseded her desire to claim her throne.

“Good.” Darrow tossed his napkin onto the table. “I know we have family from all over Okrith coming for your coronation. I’ll admit, I’d be disappointed if they missed your wedding because it wasn’t scheduled for the same time.”

“A coronation and a wedding,” Carys mused. “Like Remy and Hale did.”

“Yes,” Lina said with a nod. “I’m sorry I wasn’t able to attend. I heard it was beautiful.”

“Now that you’re the ruler of this kingdom, do you think you’ll travel more?” Carys asked.

Tem crossed his ankle over his knee. “We plan to do a tour of Okrith for our honeymoon.”

“How appropriate,” Bri muttered, and Carys kicked her under the table. “I mean, it’s a smart move to rebuild relationships with the new rulers of the courts.”

“Yes,” Darrow said with an approving nod. “There’s a new King and Queen in the High Mountain and Northern Courts now, and soon the Eastern Court will elect a new sovereign too.”

Bri grinned. “You’re meeting with her already.”

“So confident you’ll win?” Lina asked, cocking her head. “Will you use your prophecy to your advantage and seize the Eastern crown?”

“The people will love it.” Tem chuckled, gesturing at her with his napkin before dropping it on his plate. “You’ve already built the image in their minds. Your crest should be an eagle with a crown in its talons.”