Ella knew what I’d done, even if I never admitted it out loud. Her access to my mind made it impossible to hide things from her. I’d sensed her acceptance of it the moment she learned my intentions, her thoughts almost always in tune with mine.
It was why we made a good team.
I can’t wait to hear your acceptance speech, she purred at me, leading me toward the stage with her hand locked in mine.
When we reached the platform, I grabbed her and kissed her hard on the mouth. When I pulled back, Ryan gave me a knowing look. As though she thought I’d only done that to say goodbye.
I winked at her, allowing her to think whatever she liked, and wrapped my arm around Ella’s shoulders. Meanwhile, Dash positioned himself away from Ryan on the opposite side of the stage. He leveled me with a warning look, one that dared me to misstep.
It further confirmed his feelings for Ella. I thought he was just attracted to her, but after the display in the hall, the way he tried to protect her, I suspected they ran deeper. The way he challenged me now drove that point home.
You had your chance with her, I told him with my eyes. She’s mine now.
Not that he ever posed any real competition.
Ella was fated to be mine from birth. Our souls confirmed it when we bonded, and that connection between us was unbreakable.
She leaned into me, her gaze sparkling. Even if you’re right about his feelings, I’ll never return them.
I know.
Then stop trying to murder him with your eyes. She went to her tippy-toes to brush a kiss over my mouth. I trust you, Trayton Nacht. Now destroy my stepsister, please. I want to go home.
My lips twitched. I almost asked if that meant I could light the bitch on fire, but the ceremony began with crowning the Winter King and Winter Queen.
I really didn’t understand the human obsession with these sorts of titles, but I supposed living in a real royal family skewed my view a bit.
Ella received her crown first and did an excellent job of acting shocked and dismayed, while in her mind she ridiculed the stupid tradition. “As I already have a tiara,” she said, glancing at me, “I’ll just hold this for now until Tray can help me fix my hair.”
“You were already a princess to me, darling,” I replied, loud enough for everyone to hear.
Ryan snorted.
Other people sighed.
The administrators smiled.
Ella returned to my side, her excitement contagious. Her thoughts were underlined with a hint of nerves, reminiscent of past hurts, but she followed each concern with a justification.
Tray won’t hurt me. He’s my mate. This will be fine. Ryan’s going down.
I didn’t reply, preparing myself for the speech I was about to make.
When the administrators called my name, announcing me as Winter King, I glanced at them and ignored their silly crown. It was a cheap plastic knockoff very unlike the tiara I’d placed on Ella earlier tonight. She didn’t know—because I’d hidden it from her—but it was actually a family heirloom interlaced with fae magic.
Her eyes widened as I revealed that to her in my thoughts.
You’re a princess now, I reminded her. Never forget it.
Fairy Guardian, she returned, causing my lips to twitch as I took the microphone.
“Wow. Winter King.” I pretended to ponder that for a moment. “I can’t imagine a more ridiculous title, to be honest. Why the hell would I want to be Winter King of this dreadful place?” My focus shifted to the shocked administrators. “I mean, the things you all allow to happen here is just mind-blowing. Allow me to demonstrate.”
I removed the microphone from the stand before they could take it from me and stepped to the side so I could see both Ella and Ryan.
The latter grinned triumphantly.
Ella, however, held a regal stance that would make my mother—and likely hers as well—proud.