#Chapter 430- Plans in Motion

Ella

“So you two,” Cora says, flicking her gaze between Roger and Sinclair, ” you’re all right now? After fifteen minutes, it’s all cleared up?”

Sinclair shrugs. “We kept it pretty cut and dry. He’s on probation.”

“No, I’m not,” Roger murmurs, dismissive, shaking his head to Cora.

“He is,” Sinclair growls. Roger just leans down, pretending to whisper in Cora’s ear but speaking loud enough for all of us to hear, “probation doesn’t mean anything. But it made him happy to slap a word on the lack of consequences.”

Cora laughs, her face turned up to her mate, and I bite my lip to stifle my own giggle, wanting to be loyal to Sinclair, who just sighs behind me.

“Either way,” Sinclair says, moving on. “Congratulations, Cora,” he says, his focus on her now and his voice sincere. “I’m very happy for you – for both of you. It’s a big event.”

“Thank you, Dominic,” Cora says, smiling at him softly and turning her head to the side, clearly touched. I beam at my sister as well. It’s not that I’ve let her off the hook for keeping the baby name a secret when I want to know so terribly badly – but? Well. I’ll bug her about it later.

“We are sorry though,” Cora says, reaching up to take Roger’s hand. “I know that…the wedding meant a lot to you, and that it was going to do good things for the nation. But…” she bites her lip, hesitating, and I can tell that she feels selfish. I open my mouth to protest against this but she continues before I can start. “But – I needed it to be like this, to be personal. I hope that you’ll forgive me.”

“There’s nothing to forgive, Cora,” Sinclair murmurs, smiling at her warmly. “I completely understand you’ve done nothing wrong.”

And quite suddenly, something comes to me. “Cora,” I say, turning my head to the side and leaning forward. “Does.. anyone else know? About your mark, or your little personal ceremony, besides us four?”

She frowns at me, confused. “Well, no,” she says quietly. “I mean, neither of us really have social media or anything -”

friends,” Roger murmurs, a little chagrined, which makes me laugh.

breaking out

“What?” Cora asks, confused.

– because this could work! “Why not just have

she starts to laugh, I think a little inspired by the idea. But then she realizes that she already has her mating mark and her fingers go to it, brushing

suggest with a little shrug. ” I’m sure they can do it – they do magical

that it’s her choice. And then she grins, turning back to me. “Really?” she says, “You think it would work? And – and

humans are equals in our eyes, that they’re part of our family. But, if you’d rather not – if you’d rather just keep the memory of it to the beach, because it’s special

says, interrupting with a huge smile on her face. “No, I want to do it

murmurs, drawing a finger down the opposite side of her throat

she murmurs, though I know she doesn’t mean it. Cora hasn’t had nearly enough of Roger, and I doubt she ever will. I hug my baby close and grin at both of them, so incredibly excited

throw them

our plans, and my days and weeks quickly fill with tasks. I wake up early earlier than Sinclair, even to take care of the baby and begin to make my plans. He

I’m happy he gets to sleep an extra

met at the beginning of all of this. In some ways I lost track of that man I fell in love

own home (even if it is a palace now )? I see flashes of him come back. And it’s not that he’s lost the sides of him that he’s shown to me

if at all possible, I love him even more than I

for the governors to ratify the claim, and the packs to demonstrate their support by paying fealty at the coronation. It’s all gone smoothly,

delegation from Vanara including King Gabriel – but I’m also very curious to meet our other

that the Atalaxians have indeed signaled

bringing Rafe with me to chat and play. They’re thriving now, and I think that they’re happy and excited about

not that I’m keeping it from them – if they asked, I’d tell them in a minute, of course. But they’re safe here, and moving

off, and she keeps not asking so…we’re at a happy little stalemate,

naked with my belly pressed to his, a little sweaty and still catching my breath after our

“I do my

questions, Dominic, you shouldn’t have gone and become King, making me a Queen. Should have just stayed

my ass. “Don’t tempt me, trouble,” he murmurs, and I bite my lip as I feel warmth pool at my core, again. “But you’re right,” he sighs, using his grip on me to pull me upwards so that my face is even with his, so that I can dip

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