Book 1: Long Live the King

Kieran

I run my thumb nervously over the back of Raven’s hand as Fleming, the royal healer, looks her over in his study. The wizened old man mumbles to himself as he works but never anything I can understand. My heart pounds. I will not have gone through all of this to lose my wife at the end. I will fight the Goddess herself, if that is what it takes.

She squeezes my hand, just as strong as usual. She doesn’t seem much weakened, other than the sudden burst of vomiting.

“Mm-hmm!” Fleming sits back with a sharp nod. “Just like I thought.”

“What is it?” I spend all my willpower not biting the little man’s head off.

He grins. “Your lady wife is pregnant.”

I can’t imagine five more perfect words.

***

Three days later, I stand at the foot of the throne dais, staring up at the towering, moonstone chairs that have symbolized power all my life. One for the Alpha King, one for his Luna Queen. And by the end of today, they will