The queen held him close. "Only if you forgive me for telling you that the only choice you had was to stay or forever be banished, I never should have given you that ultimatum. I just couldn't see how my gentle son could last as a warrior. Oron yes, but you my sweet boy, you couldn't stand to see people get hurt."
"Hey!" Oron protested.
The queen pulled away from Darian as he stood and looked at her eldest son. "You've always been a warrior my son, from the day I met you until this very second."
"Yeah, you brute," Darian teased.
His mother nudged him in the ribs. "Be nice to your brother, as memory serves me, he saved your butt more than once."
"Mother!" Darian protested, turning red.
"You tell him, Mother." Oron nodded.
The queen stood shaking her head. "Thousands of years old, and you still act like children." She stood on tiptoe and kissed Darian's cheek. "As much as I want to keep you here for months catching up, you're clearly needed back in Lycaonia. I think it's about time you have this." She reached into her skirt pocket and pulled out a silver ring. When Darian looked down, he paled and stepped backwards.
"Mother, no." He shook his head.
"I have already had this conversation with Oron. He knows he cannot inherit since his family name has been stricken from our records..."
"You could have children of your own," Darian interrupted.
The queen shook her head, and Brennus rose to stand behind her. "We've consulted every witch with the gift of premonition; I will never conceive."
Brennus wrapped a supportive arm around her shoulders and looked at Darian then Oron. "Besides, we do have children of our own. Fate does things for a reason, do you think it coincidence that your mother adopted you, unbeknownst to her at the time that she couldn't have children?"
The queen stepped forward and took Darian's hand. She put the ring in his palm and closed his fingers around it. "You are my heir. This ring can take you to any pillar city through the fae portals along with select human cities. It will also act as a signet ring allowing you to speak for me and be recognized as my heir."
Darian shot a desperate look at Oron who raised his hands up grinning. "Don't look at me, baby brother, we both know I am not suited for diplomacy. I would, however, like a promotion to personal guard when you take over."
Brennus walked around his mate's chair to kneel in front of Amelia. He took both of her hands in his. "Just breathe darling, being a consort isn't so bad. For the most part, I just stand beside her and look pretty. I know you can do that."
Amelia looked past Brennus to Darian, and they shared a moment of pure panic. She took slow deep breaths as Brennus instructed and was able to smile reassuringly at her mate. "Think about it this way: is there anyone else you trust to do it?" she asked.
He immediately started to grin. "I think I can do anything if you're at my side."
"Even face the council regarding possible charges I may or may not be facing for attempting to kill a shifter family matriarch?" she asked smiling brightly.
Darian blinked. "Seriously?"
Amelia shrugged. "She was threatening Meryn."
Oron turned his face away, his entire body shaking with laughter. Darian let his head drop back as he mentally counted.
"Five...six...seven..." she said out loud.
He scowled at her, and she giggled. "There's my frowny face!"
Brennus stood and Amelia stood with him.
The queen laughed and then her eyes filled with tears. "Oh dear, I told myself not to cry. You can visit any time now."
Darian pulled her into a hug. "We'll visit every week. How's that?"
Aleksandra nodded and stepped back. "And bring the crazy human, too."
Oron stood. "That I have to see."
Darian slid the ring on his finger and turned to Oron. "You do the honors?"
"Sure thing." Oron stepped away from the table, held up his hand, and a portal of silver light appeared. "Ready when you are."
Darian kissed his mother's cheek and clasped forearms with Brennus. "I'll send an update as soon as I can." Brennus nodded.
Darian held out his hand to Amelia and they walked over to Oron who held out both hands. Darian took one and she the other. Together, they stepped through the portal.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Unlike the journey to Éire Danu, returning to the Alpha estate was much easier. There was no jarring or cold sensation. It was as easy as stepping from one room to another. One second they were in the royal dining room, the next they were stepping out onto the training field from where they had left. They men were doing evening drills before dinner.