“I would think a handful of years should be sufficient.”

She fought the urge to look at Jaren again. “Years?”

Vesstan waved his free hand, brushing her off like an annoying insect. “You’ll be so caught up with getting to know your people and the excitement of choosing a life partner and starting a family that you won’t even notice the years that go by. I have faith you’ll do splendidly.”

She blinked at him, certain she had to have misheard him. “Um…” she felt Jaren’s gaze searing into the side of her face, and she fidgeted, beyond uncomfortable.

“We’re not there yet,” she said, neck and face hot under Vesstan’s scrutiny. “And until someone here finally explains my connection to the crystal, I don’t even want to have children.” She and Jaren hadn’t talked about it, but she knew he’d agree.

Vesstan shook his head, looking every bit the regretful father. “It’s not about what you want, Veralie. Very few Magyki, or even humans, get to choose their path in life. It’s just not the way the world works.”

Her fingernails carved crescent moons into her palms. She was well aware that not many got to choose their path. Did he think she’d chosen to live her life the way she had?

He rested his elbows on the table, clasping his hands and leaning his chin on them. “When you meet your chosen partner, you will come to realize, just as your mother did, that some paths are chosen for you for the good of everyone.”

Her stomach roiled, and she sensed, more than saw, Jaren’s entire body go preternaturally still. But Vesstan carried on, unaware of the silent violence beginning to swirl inside the male beside her.

“I’m not sure I understand completely,” she said.

King Vesstan nodded. Taking a rather large sip of wine, he picked up his napkin and dabbed at his lips before he bothered to answer.

“You should’ve been wed when you turned eighteen. You are behind, not only in your intelligence and abilities, but also in that regard.”

He paused, setting his napkin on the table and smoothing it out. “There is much you need to catch up on, so the faster you get started, the better. I plan to announce your crowning and coupling within the next three moon cycles.”

Her head throbbed. He couldn’t be serious. “I am mated, Your Majesty.”

His eyes flicked to Dedryn, lingering for a heavy moment before moving on to Jaren. “I was made aware. However, you are set to take the throne. You need to be matched to best continue your line. It is not to be cruel. Every previous queen would’ve made the same choice, if mated.”

He said it like she was an outlier, like the gods had cursed her rather than given her a gift like her mother believed. But then he opened his mouth again, and it got so much worse.

“We do not know the history of your mate’s bloodline. Dedryn confirmed today that they adopted him at infancy and were never aware of his parentage. Mixing your connected bloodline with an unknown is…unwise.”