28. Chapter 27

Chapter 27

N o one sought us out for the next couple of days, so I guessed Verity and Theon had taken care of any questions anyone at the palace had about our whereabouts.

I was never going to be able to look any of them in the eye again.

"Verity brought you these clothes?" Verner asked, holding up the yellow t-shirt I'd laid out on the bed to put on. "This is my favorite color on you."

"It's cute that you have a favorite color on me," I said, blushing as though he hadn't been eating me out from behind an hour ago. Everything I'd wanted to try, he was more than game for. The power was going straight to my head.

"I'm nearly ready," I said, grabbing the t-shirt and pulling it on before knotting it on one side so the waist of my jeans was visible, and tying up my hair to show off my pretty bite mark.

Verner's shadows rippled, his gaze fixated on my neck. If we didn't leave this instant, we were going to end up in bed for another two days.

"Behave," I said sternly. "You're so jittery, Verner. You need to siphon."

He laughed. "Not a problem I've ever had before, but yes. And I need to talk to the king. To formally relinquish my title."

"How are you feeling about that?"

"Fine," Verner said, looking completely unbothered. "It wasn't as though the idea had never occurred to me before—I'd never wanted the role. Back then, I thought I'd just remain in the Guard forever, but I'll find something else to do."

Guilt churned uneasily in my stomach, and Verner immediately crossed the room, lifting me into his arms. "Don't you dare feel bad about that, Meera."

"You lost your job because of me!"

"And I would do so again, happily. Come on, let's go."

I squeaked as he carried me out of the room like I weighed nothing, grabbing his horns reflexively to steady myself.

Verner stopped instantly, blowing out a hot puff of breath at my throat, right above my mating mark. "Unless you've changed your mind about going to the palace today?"

I released his horns reluctantly, shifting my hands to his shoulders. "No. But let's not stay too long. I have plans for you later."

"That sounds like an excellent notion, my love."

The king hummed, lounging back in his seat as he surveyed the two of us. It was just him and Captain Soren for this conversation, and I wished Ophelia were here, but apparently she was busy with her queenly responsibilities.

"You two being mated makes it easier in a way," the king said slowly. "We're probably being slow to adapt to all the changes around here, but I think everyone was struggling with what to make of the situation. Now that you're a couple… well, it all makes sense, doesn't it?" He shrugged. "I would do anything for Ophelia."

"Yes," Verner agreed. "There was never any chance of me denying Meera anything."

I was blushing so hard I'd probably turned purple. Maybe I should have sat this meeting out. I had plenty of people I wanted to talk to while I was here. I could have done that instead.

But I hadn't wanted Verner to face this alone, in case the king was difficult about it.

"You have made some very loyal friends at Elverston House," the king said, switching his focus to me.

I nodded mutely. I'd only managed to quickly thank Jade in passing before I'd disappeared again, and I intended to go there next.

"The most recent crop of ex-Hunters have different needs and expectations to the group you came in with," King Allerick said, watching me carefully. "My wife's attempts to get to know them and make them feel welcome have been… not enthusiastically received, perhaps."

I winced. "Ophelia is nothing like the Hunters that hurt them, but her family is from that class. They may be projecting a little on her and the others, but I'm sure it'll get better in time. Those wounds are still quite fresh."

"But they like you," the king pointed out. "And I assume you like their company—you still seem happy to spend time at Elverston House. Or am I wrong about that?"

"No, you're not wrong." I glanced at Verner, squeezing his hand a little tighter. Where was this conversation going? I couldn't tell if I was in trouble or not.

King Allerick sighed heavily. "I suspect we didn't handle this well. Any of this. As Ophelia mentioned to me, this situation illuminated some blind spots we weren't aware we had, and I apologize that the two of you bore the brunt of that mishandling."

"That's okay," I said awkwardly, because I didn't have the first clue how to accept an apology—let alone one from royalty.

The king grimaced. "It's not really. Regardless, I hope I can make amends going forward. Much like the palace, there are apartments behind Elverston House, built into the lower level. They were originally for staff, and have been long since closed up. Ophelia and I have talked about renovating one for the two of you."

"But Shades aren't allowed there," Verner pointed out, as confused I was.

"A rule that was established because we thought it was in the ex-Hunters' best interest," the captain interjected. "But having talked to the ex-Hunters at Elverston House, it's become clear that there has been too much separation. For those who want to start building relationships outside of the group and getting comfortable around Shades, there hasn't been an easy avenue for them to do that. Walking into a dining hall full of Shades at dinnertime is not a simple ask."

"I'm aware," I said, perhaps a little more wryly than I'd intended.

The king smiled, though it always looked slightly sarcastic when he did it. "Ophelia spoke to all of them, and they were quite adamant that they wanted a Shade point of contact. Someone that they could trust to help them get acquainted with the shadow realm. They were quite adamant, too, that it should be Verner."

"Me?" he repeated. "I've never spoken to them."

"They indicated as much," the king replied. "But they seemed to feel as though they knew you from watching your interactions with Meera from a distance. And, of course, they already like and trust Meera, so the fact that you're now mated is only an advantage."

Verner cleared his throat. "But do you entrust me with such a position? I know I damaged your opinion of me with my actions."

I was gripping his hand so tightly, my fingers were beginning to ache. Whatever it took to make up for the damage I'd done to Verner's reputation, I'd do it. He didn't seem to mind the fallout, but I did. He hadn't deserved that.

"There's no denying you put us in a difficult position," Captain Soren began. "But part of the reason why it was so difficult for me to accept that was because you had always been one of the most honorable and reliable members of the Guard. You've demonstrated on multiple occasions that you can review your opinions and change them accordingly when presented with new information. You're calm, rational, and not ruled by your ego the way so many who get to your level of success within the Guard become. Prove to me that I'm not making a mistake by trusting you again, Verner."

"Yes, Captain," he replied instantly, inclining his head in respect.

The king nodded once, looking at me again. "Does this role sound like something you'd be interested in, Meera? It would be both of you. You both need to be happy with it."

It sounded like a dream to me. Live in Elverston House, but in a private area with our own space. Work with the new arrivals to help them feel more comfortable here—I was planning on doing that anyway. And the best part would be working alongside Verner each day, and having others recognize his goodness and kindness the way I did.

"It sounds perfect to me," I admitted. "We'd be… intermediaries of sorts?"

"That would be part of it," King Allerick replied. "Though, Ophelia described the role more like the parental figures she had when she was sent away for her education."

"Dorm parents?" I suggested with a light laugh before glancing at Verner. "How do you feel about having kids?" I teased.

"Positively. Though, ten ex-Hunters is certainly a unique trial run," he replied dryly, squeezing my hand back.

Huh. The topic of children hadn't actually come up before now—to be honest, we'd been a little distracted—and I was suddenly very aware of the fact that I wasn't using any kind of birth control. It had never even occurred to me, since I hadn't needed it in the past.

That was definitely a conversation for later.

"If the residents of Elverston House are happy, and Verner is happy, then yes. Absolutely. I would love that."

"As would I," Verner replied.

"Good, then it is agreed. Perhaps you could go there now and speak with them, Meera? If they are content to proceed, then we will need to make plans to renovate an apartment—it will require Shades being on the property, but in a way that causes as little disruption as possible. Verner, that would be a good opportunity for you to supervise the work and build relationships with the ex-Hunters who live there."

He nodded in agreement.

"What about the house itself?" I asked, forcing myself to be brave and use my voice when I thought it was important. "Elverston House is falling apart. It needs repairs too. If they're comfortable to have Shades on the premises—in the house—is getting it fixed up a possibility?"

"Yes, of course," the king agreed. "I hadn't realized it was that bad. Whatever you need, we will make that happen."

It was the start of a brand new era.