Keira’s legs weren’t fast enough, and she struggled to keep pace with the determined dragon in front of her. She didn’t dare consider running away again as fury leaked from Angus. However, it did provide a nice view of the male’s firm backside, and his muscles rippled and bunched as he stormed through the castle.

Their brief visit to Heqet made Keira appreciate Legette’s position, as well as, understand his anger toward her. It might be misplaced, but she was the logical target. For centuries, Legette fought a losing battle against the Unseelie that invaded their land. And, the only person that had a prayer of beating this enemy had been locked out of the realm because he’d gone to search for her.

The disturbing images from the ceremonial site branded her mind, refusing to abate. How could Cyril create such hideous monsters as the Buggane? Still, Keira wasn’t convinced that Cyril was directing the Buggane’s actions. It seemed impossible for one being to control the actions of so many, and while Cyril may have created the Buggane, she doubted he had directed them to rape every natural resource from the land. Evolution seemed a more likely explanation.

The vision of blackened, barren earth was heart-wrenching, but then add the remains of countless decomposing Buggane, and it was repulsive. Heqet was defiled in the worst way possible, becoming the creature’s dumping ground. They didn’t even bother burying their dead. It was disrespectful, and Keira’s stomach revolted when she looked across the decayed land.

When Angus laid eyes on the desecration, his dragon emerged, spewing flames across the entire area. The heat from his fire still lingered on her skin. Lorne and Legette had screamed from the sidelines, explaining his rage was ineffective, but Angus was gripped by his fury. The air quickly became a toxic cloud and Keira couldn’t breathe or see through the green smoke.

Keira’s distress caught the dragon’s attention, and his wrath ceased. He shifted back and made his way to her side, scooping her into his arms. Their small group retreated to a nearby hill and watched the king’s flames dance over the carcasses in a green glow. Legette had patiently explained his flames only intensified matters, killing more of the surrounding greenery. Sorrow and hurt splayed across Angus’s handsome face before he ordered Lorne and Legette to shift and fly him and Keira back to the castle.

“Get the council here immediately,” Angus barked as soon as Declan came into view.

Keira remained by his side, wanting to be a part of the discussion unless he ordered her to leave.

“Right away, Sire,” Declan replied with a bow that had Angus snarling.

“Och, stop that shite. I’ve told you not to bow to me. Never again, Declan. We are equals,” he growled.

“All due respect, Sire. We are not equals and never will be. I don’t care if you spent centuries as a servant. You are not one,” Declan retorted with a hand to his cocked hip.

“I doona know how to get across to him that I despise the bowing,” he spat and walked away from the male.

Keira put on a burst of speed to reach his side. His bare chest was on display, and her eyes struggled to stay focused on his face. Angus was even sexier when he was mad. “You are their king. They will always treat you accordingly. You forget you represent prosperity, hope, and life to them. And, that’s the short list. They literally cannot survive without you and will always treat you accordingly,” Keira reminded him.

Angus wrapped an arm around her shoulders and brought her into his side as they entered the throne room. She hadn’t inside the chamber since the day they arrived, and the jewel-encrusted throne was just as imposing. The large wooden table on the main floor was a new addition, and she wondered about its purpose.

The difference from the adjacent hallway to the throne room was drastic. It went from modern to primitive in one step. Electricity gave way to an enormous iron chandelier that held dozens of candles, illuminating the room. Lorne had explained that the electricians refused to update the room. Tradition needed to remain firmly in place, and that included the large tapestries, originally used to keep drafts down to a minimum.

Legette snorted behind them. “Listen to her, Sire. She might be a two o’clock beauty queen, but she has half a brain. Khoth can’t survive without your magic.”

Keira tossed narrowed eyes over her shoulders at the same time Angus stopped and threw his fist into Legette’s smug smile. It was rewarding to see Legette’s blue eyes go wide before his head snapped back.

“Doona ever talk to your future queen with such disrespect. I will flatten you, scrote,” Angus warned.

Legette stumbled under the unexpected blow, and Angus resumed his trek to one of the two-dozen chairs around the table. He pulled it out, offering Keira the seat. Momentarily stunned, she sat down, and Angus took his place beside her. His invitation to join them honored her.

Numerous males she didn’t know filed into the room, commenting on Legette’s bloody face. Angus ignored the whispers and got right to business as the others took their seats at the table.

“We have a serious fucking problem. Heqet is no’ a proper location for the Civappu. We need a plan,” Angus began as his hand scrubbed across his face.

Keira cocked her head and looked at Angus next to her. “Why don’t you just pick another location? That seems easiest.”

“Aye, that would be easier, Turquoise, but ‘tis no’ possible. Gaia blessed that location, and through the years, many Gods have visited and laid their blessing upon the land. The Civappu has, and, always will be held there. Cyril and his ilk have taken too much from my people. No more. It stops here and now,” Angus declared, pounding his fist on the table.

His voice had every head in the room bobbing in agreement as a sense of solidarity and purpose slowly filtered in, binding them as a group. She was surprised to find that hers joined, as well. His fervency and conviction was contagious and his countenance made him irresistible. She needed to watch out. His enigmatic power could get her to do his bidding, or anything else he requested.

Khoth was a Monarchy, and Angus had the final say on everything, but as she watched him interact with his knights and council, she saw the respect he had for them. He valued their opinions and let them know, even implementing some of their ideas.

“Now, how do we deal with the females?” Angus asked.

Each of the males around the table had an opinion on how the females would be ecstatic for the return of the ceremony, and an announcement should happen right away. Keira’s snort escaped loud and clear. These males didn’t know much about females.

“What do you think, Keira?” Angus asked.

Surprised that he’d addressed her directly, she blushed and lowered her head. Then she remembered Angus’s advice about trusting her instincts and releasing doubt. Raising her head, she looked to the males sitting around the table with all eyes fixed on hers.

“I disagree. I don’t think everyone is going to be excited about the idea. Those that are identified know they will be hunted afterward. Some won’t mind, but many will not welcome that. I would hate to have ten men fighting for my attentions, not certain if it was because of who I was, or because I could birth dragonettes. Females want to be valued for who they are on the inside, not for what they can give a male.”

Angus smiled knowingly, and she felt a squeeze on her leg beneath the table. “You bring up a valid point. So how do you propose we deal with this? I canna put the ceremony off indefinitely. There are some who want to know if they are Tuya and the realm needs more offspring. We are a dying breed withoot them.”

His words stirred an ache in her chest. She wasn’t Tuya and couldn’t have children. Regardless, she wanted to help the females deal with the upcoming ceremony.

“You need to make it clear this is absolutely voluntary. No friend, parent or grandparent can force a female to attend. There are too many other unknowns and possibilities where this is concerned. Bottom line, it has been a thousand years since a Civappu has been held and there will be problems,” Keira shared.

Every set of eyes stared as if she’d grown a second head. It made her wonder what roles females held in this society. All Keira knew was she was sitting at a table surrounded by males that were deciding the fate of the realm’s females, and that wasn’t fair.

Angus grabbed her hand. He mentioned he chose her, knowing she wasn’t Tuya. Would he change his position after seeing the females who could give him an heir?

Keira didn’t want to care, but a sick feeling churned in her gut at the mere thought of Angus wanting another.