EMBER's POV

"He has refused a countless number of times we've shoved it up his face. What makes you think this time will be any different?" William asked, looking at me like he didn't think I was sure I knew what I was talking about.


But I was sure. I mean, I had heard him correctly. And even now, I knew he was keeping his word. , My three-month trial had begun, and there was simply no other time as good as this one.

"because this time around, I think he is willing to be faithful to Kate, without me getting in the way this time," I said and didn't bother to add the things I remembered he had said.

"maybe. I don't think his bond allows him to behave in any other way, but that doesn't mean that he will stop being a pain in your behind. It's what he is good at."


"Perhaps. maybe he really is good at being a thorn in my rear end. But I'm sure of this one." I said sincerely and sighed, before leaning into the chair,

"why? All of a sudden, you know what the man will and will not do. Did you give a sound warning then?" William asked in all earnestness and I chuckled,


"Not necessarily." I said and thought for a moment of my kidnap, and just could not help how sober I had become, "I guess it's safe to say, that he and I have reached an understanding." I said and smiled up at him.

"an understanding?" my brother Axle asked with a raised brow and I nodded,

"an understanding."

"And you’re sure he is going to sign the papers?" Axle asked

"if he doesn’t sign them, he is at least going to leave me alone. That ought to be enough to let me be the woman I need to be. Enough to be the woman this kingdom needs me to be." I said, and paused to think, "and concerning the kingdom, I'm ready to meet those elders. I'm ready to meet those men who think I'm not good enough. I'm ready to prove them wrong. It's been a long time coming, and I think it's about damn time."

"Well now, someone's grown fierce overnight."

"About damn time as well," I said and he nodded.

"About damn time," he repeated. "I'll speak to Father about it. He's the one who will arrange it. But be prepared for anything. Those guys are wild and sometimes unreasonable with their requests."

"I don't care at this point. I'll fight them if I have to, but I'm done hiding."

AXLE'S POV

"Ember is willing to ascend the throne," I said to the king over lunch while Ember had gone off to the infirmary to read to the children,

"That's very good news." Father said and drank some soup, "Then it must seem like the time to speak to the elders alas."

"it seems so," I said and felt my father's eyes on me,

"Something seems to trouble you, son. What is it?"

"I'm just thinking about the last time we were there. The things they said about Ember coming into rule."

"they don't know her. Or rather, they don't know she is who she is. They think she's weak, but she'll surprise them. She surprises me every odd time, to be honest."

"surprises the hell out of me too sometimes." I said and thought for a moment, " I think she'll make a great queen though. She's kind and compassionate, and always tries to meet people halfway."

"That's a great strength, it is. But there are people, weak-minded ones, who will try to use that against her. Those who would try to use how good and kind her heart is against her."

"As much as I don't like it, I say let them. They are definitely in for a big surprise. Those elders are not exempted." I said firmly.

"This entire kingdom is in for a treat." the king aid and I studied him for a long time before nodding,

"Long live the queen."

~~~~~

"We would much rather have the young man for our ruler than a daughter we've never met, sire." one of the elders said and I balled my hands in fists to keep from speaking up. I knew how these meetings worked. One was never to speak out of turn. Especially when I wasn't the one being spoken to.

So I waited, while my father studied the men before him, and listened to their words stoically

"The young man isn't going to be my successor. My daughter is. Don't judge her before even meeting her, and knowing what she Is about. My daughter is strong, wise, and good. She will judge matters fairly, she will rule strongly, and in as much as whatever you say here won't shift my mind that is set, it would be much better if we all were in one mind." my father said quietly, but firmly.

"Perhaps if we met her…”

"you will. As she is of the mind to present herself to you all. " my father said

"Well, that is good news." another one of the elders said, but the one who spoke before, the eldest, If I judged correctly, gave that man the stink eye, before turning to my father,

"She isn't just to present herself like that. I agree with you, sire, that you rule, and the verdict stands. But as you said, it would be better if we were all of one mind."

"What are you trying to say?" my father asked and the son of a gun smiled lazily.

Why was this man even still an elder?

"Sire, you have said that she is of the mind of presenting herself to us. Accept her we will, whether we want to or not, and I apologize if this has come out the wrong way. However, I believe that if she is to present herself as our future queen, then it is also right that she should prove herself as well."

"my sister doesn't have to prove a thing to you," I said angrily, and my father gently placed a hand on mine, before shaking her head briefly,

"Every ruler before me has proven themselves worthy. My daughter will not fall short."

"That is delightful to hear." The man said with a whole more caution, "You know the history of the kingdom better than the rest of us, so I know you're aware of the wild and honorable things they have all had to do to prove themselves worthy."

"What?" both my father and I said in unity.

Yes, I knew the things the ancient rulers had done to prove themselves worthy. Climbing up a mountain and sustaining themselves on what the fates provided, wrestling dragons, some were even rumored to have faced hades and returned. All of them were honorable for sure, but all of them were life-threatening. Were these men asking that my sister endangered her life?

"Sire, things have changed, and it's been a while since the goddess requested anything from our rulers, but in her place, we are then allowed to make requests. Even you yourself, sire, were no exception."

My father looked at him like he yearned to strangle his neck, but he kept his expression mild,

"My daughter is strong. Tell me what you have in mind?"