42. Finnian

FORTY-TWO

FINNIAN

Of the three living members of the Dark Fae royal line, I am no longer the inconsequential one. No longer the double-spare heir. No longer the one people underestimate.

I am , however, still treated like the baby of the family. That will never change, and I’m okay with that. Because to everyone else, I am now the One True King of Faerie.

A king of kings, just as my grandmother predicted I would be.

I’m having a hard time wrapping my mind around it, to be honest. I don’t feel all that different. I still drink protein shakes for breakfast and workout and train with Taryn and the other warriors.

I still watch bad reality TV with my sisters-in-laws and the Woulfe brothers, I still hang out with Dmitri, and I still frequent the Devil’s Dungeon with the sexiest rope bunny in either realm.

Aine keeps saying to wait for the first time I open the court for the fae to air their grievances, then it’ll hit me, and I’m sure she’s right. If I didn’t have the love of my life beside me, I don’t know if I’d have the confidence for such a weighty position. But Taryn’s belief in me, her constant support and encouragement, gives me the reassurance that I can do this.

Plus, if my goofy-ass rebel of a brother can learn to become a great king, anyone can.

Tiernan pauses in straightening his bowtie and squints at me. “You trash-talking me in your head?”

Clapping a hand on his shoulder, I wink at him. “I would never, little-big bro. What’s this here?” I point at his chest, and when he looks down, I give him a light slap on the face and walk away laughing.

“You’re so lucky this is your big day, Finni, or I’d pummel you for that.”

I snort-laugh at the idea and turn around so Caiden can help me slip my tux jacket on. “Careful, Tier,” Caiden says as he smooths the jacket over my shoulders. “Our baby bro has an extremely powerful fiancée who can turn you into a newt if she so chooses.”

“Oh, she did that already,” Tier says casually. When we both stop what we’re doing and stare at him, he shrugs. “What? I got better.”

“Something’s not right with you,” Caiden replies.

“You’re just jealous because I’m better looking. Hurry up, you two, it’s almost time. I’ll go hold off the masses and the paparazzi.”

Once he’s gone from the small dressing room in the back of the ToR, I frown in confusion. “Nobody’s here except friends and family. What’s he—” Then it hits me. “He’s gonna find Fi for a closet-quickie, isn’t he?”

“Definitely,” Caiden says, trying to keep the amused grin off his face.

I chuckle and check my cuff links. “Good to know some things never change. Speaking of change, how are you doing? Bryn’s starting to look like she’s carrying a soccer team in there.”

“If you value your life, little brother, you will never let her hear you say that. She’s liable to explode your head before she remembers you’re her favorite brother-in-law.”

“Solid point. And I knew I was her favorite.”

“Don’t bother poking Tier with it, I’ll deny everything.”

Sitting on a padded bench, I get out my dress shoes and start putting them on. “Yeah, yeah. Seriously, though, I know this pregnancy hasn’t been easy on either of you, and she’s due like any minute now. How you holding up?”

Caiden sighs heavily, and I’ve noticed lately he always has stress lines around his eyes. “Ask me again once the baby is born healthy and my mate has made it through without complications.”

Finished tying the laces, I stand and place a supportive hand on his shoulder. “They’re both going to be perfectly fine. You’ll be up all night and changing dirty diapers before you know it. And if you or Bryn need anything, let me and Taryn know. We’re here for you both and the baby, always.”

“Thanks, Finni. You’re going to make a great uncle.”

“I’m going to make a great favorite uncle,” I say, glad to see the joke helping to lift some of the tension from my brother’s expression. “And I know I said it before, but it bears repeating. I’m glad Bryn accepted my offer. You were both meant to be rulers. I know you’ll do great things for the Light Fae.”

One of my first official acts as OTK was replacing the Day Court ruler. Since Bryn’s late father, Uther, had been Edevane’s cousin and only relative, it made her next in line. And as it was Edevane who murdered Uther and his mate Keira in cold blood, Bryn becoming the Light Queen after Taryn ashed him was a special kind of poetic justice.

“We’re looking forward to it,” he says genuinely. “Who’d have thought the three Verran Kings of Vegas would become Fae Court Kings all at the same time? We’ve made history a few times over, I’d say. Mother started lording it over all the other highborns at Temple services.”

I chuckle picturing it. “Just wait until she’s officially back in Tír na nóg with her added power. Then she’ll really lay it on thick.”

Now that the exile and subsequent curses on the Celestial Courts were lifted, courtesy of the One True Power, aka my stunningly gorgeous fiancée, the Darks and Lights have been given the option of moving back into Faerie.

Our mother, Morgan Scannell, and the twins’ father, Seamus Woulfe, have chosen to return to the Night Court’s original homeland. They’ll be acting as viceroys for Tiernan and Fiona who are staying in Vegas, since most of the Darks are sticking around because…well, it’s Vegas .

Additionally, the Lights are now welcome in Vegas. Since Caiden still has the Onyx Inc empire to run here, he and Bryn will buy a second home in Phoenix and split their time between the two cities. They’ll also have viceroys to represent them in Faerie and are in the process of interviewing individuals from the Day Court’s High Council for the positions.

Tiernan bounds back into the small room, his cheeks ruddy and breaths labored. “Everything’s under control out there. You’re welcome.”

Rolling my eyes, I point to the full-length mirror. “Fix your sexed-up outfit, Tier. You’re not standing up at my wedding looking like you just wrestled a honey badger.”

He gives me a dopey grin on his way to the mirror. “It was actually a wildcat, but thanks for noticing.”

Caiden turns me to face him to give my appearance one last inspection, then nods in approval. “Big day today,” he says, his tone solemn.

I take a deep breath and blow it out. For some reason I’m more nervous now than I was at my coronation. Which doesn’t make sense because I’m not confident yet about being the OTK, but I’ve never been more sure about anything the way I am about Taryn.

“Any advice?” I ask. “You know, as the most seasoned mate of the three of us.”

The corners of his mouth curve up. “My advice isn’t anything you don’t already know, Finn. As a king, we’re responsible for others’ lives. But as mates and Doms, we’re responsible for everything . Their hearts, minds, bodies, and souls. Take great care with those, and you’ll always be worthy of her love.”

I nod, understanding exactly what he means, and I have every intention of doing just that.

Satisfied with his reflection once again, Tier joins us and claps a hand on my back. “Here’s my advice. If she’s ever having a bad day, do not—I repeat, do not —think you’re being a sensitive guy and innocently ask if she’s on her period.”

Caiden raises his eyebrows. “You’re an idiot, Tier.”

“Maybe, but in my defense, the answer was yes .”

“Fiona’s not just a queen, she’s a godsdamned saint,” I say, shaking my head.

“You’ll get no argument from me there, brother.” Tier glances at his watch then taps the glass face. “Tick tock, boys, it’s showtime. Time to go make your bride your?—”

“Everything,” I say, my throat thick with emotions. “She’s my everything.”

Tiernan smiles. “That’s how you know she’s the one. I’m happy for you, Finni. Taryn’s amazing. We all love her.”

“Thanks, Tier. She loves all of you, too.”

My oldest brother regards me in a way he never has before. Like he’s not only seeing me as his baby brother who idolized him and followed him around from the time I could walk. But also as his equal. “I’m proud of you, Finnian. And I know Father would be, too.”

Warmth floods my chest at such high praise from him. “Thanks, Caiden, that means a lot to me.” Then speaking to both, I add, “Thanks for always being there for me, guys. I couldn’t have asked for better brothers and role models. I only hope I’ll be half the king you’ve both proven to be.”

“No need to worry about that,” Caiden says.

“Yeah, you’ll beat us by miles. You’re Dark Jesus, remember? Ow!”

I laugh hard as Tier touches the back of his head where Caiden just smacked him. The door opens and Connor sticks his head in.

“If you guys are done with your Three Stooges act, then let’s go. I know she’s warmed up significantly the past few weeks, but I don’t recommend making your future mother-in-law slash officiant wait.”

He ducks back out, and we agree he has a point. Aine’s softer version is still plenty scary. We do one final appearance check and exit the dressing room. Smiling like a fool in love, I stride down the hall with my brothers flanking me.

“Time to marry my queen.”