CHAPTER SIXTY EIGHT

"Queen, our people are getting worried. Maybe you should consider making an address," Anthony suggested, offering me a steaming mug of black coffee.

I accepted gratefully, allowing the thick throw to trickle down my shoulders.

A few days ago, a freak storm swept through Nevada, dropping temperatures by as much as fifteen degrees each day.

Today we hit freezing, and snow had started to fall, blanketing our desert landscape with an unfamiliar chill.

In less than eight hours, we had already surpassed our average annual snowfall, resulting in mass call-ins throughout the city for people who weren't capable of traveling with the poor road conditions.

"That's a good idea. But what am I supposed to say?" I blew on the scalding liquid before taking a long sip.

"The chefs are concerned about the lack of food in the pantries. Our delivery services have all canceled because of the weather, and the local grocery stores have basically been bought out by panicked citizens stocking their freezers. We need to offer them some reassurance." Brett answered, opening his notebook and scribbling inside. "We serve about fifteen hundred meals a day. Even if we use all of our reserves, we'll only have enough to sustain us for another week or so."

I cringed. "Surely this will be over in less than a week, right? What does the news say?"

Bastion crossed over to me, fixing my blanket for me as he responded.

"They're stumped. Nobody even predicted it, but for now, it seems to be sticking around. There have even been power outages across Vegas." I chewed on my nail, my eyes flitting to my court who stared back at me with worried expressions.

Jesse cleared his throat, thankfully pulling everyone's attention to him.

"Have we considered what this means in regards to The Dark King?" He spoke timidly, leaning his chin onto his clenched fists. Bastion's hands tensed on my shoulders, and Rory flinched beside me.

"Have you guys found anything to suggest the two are related?" I directed at Rory, who swallowed, casting his eyes to the table.

"Not blatantly. However, James's last journal entry did suggest cool weather."

I bit my lip. Is it possible that they had somehow already freed him? Wouldn't we know if that were the case? Don't fear. Trust in what you know is true.

"The Sire will fall first; we know that much. But he's been silent for a week, so we can't jump to The Dark King yet. Besides, I don't imagine he would come in quietly, hidden behind some snow. Maybe we should focus on building emergency kits in case of an outage. Collect water, blankets, and candles in the main estate for anyone who gets caught without power. General, please get some men into the utility closet to make sure the backup generators are functional. We have to make sure the Prince and Princess are safe in case the worst is yet to come."

"Yes, Queen." Anthony bowed, his eyes twinkling with fatherly admiration.

"I'll get some of our women together to organize the kits. Maybe we have some extra supplies in storage." Brett offered, his pen moving steadily across the page.

"Thank you. I'll type out a notice for Dylan to pass along our housing. Sorry, hope you have a thick coat." I gave him an apologetic half-smile, and he chuckled.

"It's no problem, sweetheart. It's my job. Through rain and snow and all that shit, right?" He winked, making me laugh. He was great at easing my tension and stress with that ridiculous sense of humor. Rory cleared his throat, standing gracefully.

"I'll help you write, love. Let's get it done before dinner tonight. We don't want to keep our poor mailman out all night." He smirked at Dylan's grumbling swears.

As I stood to follow him, I concluded with a smile and all sincerity, "Thank you for your service."

.

.

.

"I think it's lovely, Aria. You did a great job." Rory pressed his soft lips against the nape of my neck, rubbing his fingertips up and down my arms, exciting my hair follicles.

"I don't know. It seems too short. Don't you think it's too short?" He chuckled against my skin, sending sweet vibrations down my spine.

"No. They don't need a novel. It's perfect. Trust me."

I scanned the page one last time before selecting the function to print.

"To the citizens of the Opalescent Kingdom:

It has come to my attention that the sudden changes in weather have created unrest in your hearts, but I wanted to offer my assurance and inform you of what we will be doing on our end to ensure the safety of our people.

Firstly, I wanted to remind you of the promise we had received from our gods when we began this journey towards peace. These assurances will serve as our strength in times of trial, knowing ultimately that we will one day succeed in our quest and know a world in which all species live in harmony with each other.

In any case, rest assured that we are setting plans into place in case of sudden power outages. Since the main estate is backed up with fueled generators, we can be sure that our heat will be more reliable. Therefore, if anyone should suffer because of the cold, our doors will be open for warmth and drink.

As a concluding note, I wanted to thank each one of you for your service to the Kingdom as well as your understanding in this difficult situation. I am confident that if we stand together, we will truly be able to be an Eternal Kingdom.

Stay strong and true.

Your Queen,Aria Wilson"

I guess it'll do.

I selected 'Print' and the machine to my left purred to life, shooting out page after page of my barely passable letter of encouragement.

Rory rotated me in the leather desk chair, kneeling before me and taking my hands in his. His soft blue eyes pierced into me, drawing me into his charming display of affection.

"Aria, I need to talk to you about something."

My lips curled into a smitten grin and I entwined my fingers with his.

"Of course. What is it?"

His lashes fluttered against his fair cheek, creating butterflies in my stomach. He licked his lips and I spread my legs so he could move to kneel between them, resting his forearms on my thighs.

"Do you remember all those months ago, right after we first met, when you joked about marrying me?"

My smile slowly faded. Where is he going with this? My mouth dried, making my words come out in a subtle squeak.

"Um, yes? What about it?"

He pressed a sweet kiss against the back of my left hand, right over my ring finger.

"Would you still be willing to? To marry me, I mean."

Oh my gods. I furrowed my brow, shifting in my seat.

"Are you proposing to me?" I asked, genuinely confused by his sudden mention of marriage.

His eyes met mine in love and adoration.

"Maybe not traditionally. But I do want an answer."

I gasped for words, my lips opening and closing like a fish out of water. How the hell was I supposed to answer him?

Rory was my royal. He was an utterly amazing man and I loved him completely, but there was something amiss.

"What about Bastion?" His jaw clenched.

"What about him, love?" he asked, trying to appear relaxed despite his stress being obvious with his speeding heart.

"Well, when I originally mentioned marriage, you said that I should wait until our Kingdom rose and polygamy was legal. If I get married now, it will only be to one of you."

He swallowed, tracing my thighs with his thumbs, before whispering, "Would that be so bad? To pick me?"

I flinched away from him, and even with his hurt expression, I couldn't stop my anger from bubbling out of me.

"What the hell are you saying? He's my mate, Rory, and my King. How could I 'pick' you?"

His chest started rising and falling in sync with mine, his eyes growing cold as he stood over me, crossing his arms.

"I don't see why I need to limit how I express my love for you just to spare Bastion's feelings. We don't need to be even in everything. We are different people, Aria." My chest tightened at his harsh tone. He was angry at me, but why? He was the one going back on our agreement.

"Rory, I don't understand where this is coming from. We have always been this way. Why are you suddenly asking for more?"

"Maybe I'm tired of sharing you!" he shouted back, startling me into silence.

I clamped my mouth shut, urging myself not to cry, but my body betrayed me, allowing silent tears to flow down my cheeks.

Seeing them, Rory's eyes flashed with panic and regret. I moved to step away, desperate to be anywhere but here, but his firm grip shot to my shoulders, pulling me against his chest.

"I-I didn't mean that. I'm sorry, Aria. I'm sorry."

I bit my bottom lip to stifle the sobs rising to my throat. He's sorry? The Sire, the storm, the Dark King; it was all too much. I couldn't handle this right now. I pulled against his hold, but he wouldn't budge.

"Let me go, Rory." I choked out, but he shook his head, burying his nose in my hair.

"Please don't run from me. I love you, I'm sorry." He rushed, his pulse now frantic against my chest.

"Rory-"

"Shh. Please, just let me hold you. I need you." My heart twisted, being wrung out by his plea.

I was confused, humiliated, and afraid. My love, my royal, had actually suggested that I choose him above my mate. How was I supposed to respond to that when our whole relationship had been polygamous? He hadn't shown any sort of displeasure over our arrangement since first accepting his role and had even encouraged it by trying to get Luna to reinstate our bond.

So why the hell was he changing his mind?

Thankfully, I didn't have to stand in awkward silence as I questioned his motives for very long, as a subtle knock sounded on the door.

"Fucking Dylan." Rory groaned, reluctantly allowing me to break away.

I walked to the printer, collecting the stack of papers and crossing to the office door. As if aware of my intentions, Rory followed close behind me. I opened it, meeting Dylan's first smiling, then worried, face.

"Are you alright, babe?" he asked, noting my tear-stained cheeks. Rory stepped forward, wrapping his arm around my waist, making me suck in a surprised breath.

"Here, your letters," he said dryly, taking the stack from my hands and passing them to his best friend. Dylan's eyes flickered back and forth between us before nodding.

"Okay. Yeah, well, it shouldn't take me long. Take care, Queen. Rory." As he turned to go, I stepped into the doorway, determined to head to the bedroom, but Rory stopped me.

"Rory, please."

"Aria-"

"I know you're sorry, but I really need to go. I'm emotional and tired. I'm saying goodnight to the twins then going to bed."

His beautiful gaze lowered to his feet.

"Okay. Goodnight. Can I, um, have a kiss?"

I offered him a small smile, lifting his chin so I could brush my lips against his.

"Goodnight. I love you," I whispered, walking away from him with gentle strides.

"I love you."