Chapter 220

Theodore’s POV

I spread my legs, sprawling out comfortably on the couch where Kincaid and Dahlia clearly were not going to join me. I looked my wife up and down appreciatively where she stood on the platform.

Master Remy was focused on taking her measurements. Kincaid and Dahlia were focused on her as she began talking business. No one was watching me drinking her in, imagining the way her belly was going to grow over the coming months, admiring how regal she stood, even without the glowing crown along her forehead, envisioning the places I would kiss on her later once we were alone again.

But the best part was that it didn’t matter whether anyone noticed me checking out my mate because we were back together. Privately, publicly, everyone knew once more that she was my mate. I didn’t have to hide my love and longing for her anymore.

The thought of it made my eyes water.

I swallowed, sitting up a little straighter, blinking back the tears, and promising myself I would never take a single second with her for granted.

“No.”

Kincaid’s firm word pulled me out of my reverie. I had missed what it was in response to.

“Agreed,” Dahlia added from a half-step behind him as tradition required. The only thing greater than Dahlia’s pride that was surely wounded by having to stay behind her husband, behind anyone, was her devotion to her role. I could only imagine how those two parts warred inside her as the new Royal Beta.

“It’s not up for discussion,” Violet replied.

“What’s not up for discussion?” I asked. I wanted to engage in the conversation to back up my mate who was surely in the right. I laughed internally at her joking, “Your High Queen is always right,” that she’d said to be with mock-arrogance yesterday.

I was so happy to see she was making light of such a heavy burden. I could only imagine how I would have let such a weight swallow me whole instead.

Violet spread her arms at Master Remy’s behest and tsked in my direction. “We’ve been reunited less than a week, and you’ve already taken to tuning me out.”

“Not tuning you out, alari. Though I do apologize; I was temporarily distracted by imagining you in much less clothing.”

Kincaid choked on his own breath, and Master Remy lowered his measuring tape to glower at me. “I see this one’s as much trouble as you are, my Queen.”

“Violet’s fine,” she muttered as she avoided my gaze and attempted poorly to conceal her smile.

My wife cleared her throat. “Kincaid and Dahlia’s raises are not up for discussion,” she explained.

“Agreed,” I mimicked Dahlia, flicking a no-nonsense look in the direction of our Betas.

“My Queen,” Kincaid began, and it was still strange to hear him refer to Violet as anything other than “Alpha”, “and King Theo, we appreciate the sentiment, but—”

Violet held up a hand, cutting him off and prompting Master Remy to take a step back. She turned on her platform, facing our Betas completely.

“You two risked your lives keeping our secrets, helping us communicate when we were separated, deprioritized your personal relationship for the future of our country, and even allowed us to use your wedding as a political playground. Not only are Theo and I alive and reunited thanks to your efforts, not only could we not have secured a more hopeful future for our country without you, not only have you earned every percentage of your raise through your devotion as our Betas, but we also care about you both. We want to give this to you.”

Violet stepped off her platform so that she was level with Kincaid and Dahlia. “I am your High Queen, and I have the power to command you to accept this raise. Instead, I am asking, we are asking,” she motioned to me, and I stood to stand by her, “as your friends to please accept this barest of gifts that we offer you.”

I wrapped my arm around my wife’s waist, offering both our Betas a warm smile.

Kincaid and Dahlia held our gazes as long as they could before exchanging one of their own. Then Dahlia nodded as Kincaid said, “Thank you.”

I gave Violet’s waist an affectionate squeeze as both our smiles grew. “You’re welcome,” she replied. “Now, as I don’t expect to get away with that a second time, as your High Queen, I command you both to take a honeymoon starting tomorrow for a minimum of one week, preferably three.”

Kincaid started, and Dahlia’s jaw dropped. “You can’t do that!” the Royal Beta exclaimed.

Kincaid immediately side-eyed her, and Dahlia gathered herself, muttering, “Apologies,” to no one in particular and sounding like she didn’t mean it at all as she cast her eyes downward.

“My Queen,” Kincaid took a deep breath, “we will honor your command to take a honeymoon, which, even though it is a command from our queen, is highly generous of you. So first, we thank you,” he glared at Dahlia, “genuinely.” Dahlia nodded once in begrudging agreement.

“However,” Kincaid tried, “might we negotiate the timing? I fear you are both vulnerable with a portion of the country displeased by your crowning. Might we take our honeymoon once you are assured to be more secure here?”

“Excellent question, Kincaid,” Violet replied. She pecked me on the cheek then returned to her platform. Master Remy continued taking her measurements, and I returned to my spot on the couch.

“Theo and I talked about that same topic and came to the conclusion that we are safest now while opposing forces take time to gather and plot against us. The longer we wait, the stronger they grow, and the more likely they will be to attack us or the country – or both. Now is the best time to take your honeymoon.”

Dahlia clenched her teeth but said. “That makes sense.”

Kincaid glanced at her, then nodded. “We will leave tomorrow. Before that, might we discuss the traditional dynamic of the High Beta and Royal Beta?”

“You have your proposal for me?” Violet asked, looking at Kincaid in the mirror. He nodded, and she motioned him to continue on.

“I propose that all matters of symbolism meant to distinguish a hierarchy between the two Betas be removed. For example, the Royal Beta is meant to remain at least a half-step behind the High Beta at all times.”

Violet looked at me in the mirror’s reflection. I knew without having to speak out loud or through our magical bond that we both liked the idea.

“For all matters designed to streamline processes, such as only the High Beta speaking to the High Queen as a representation of both Betas, I propose we rely on this only under duress when efficiency could save lives.”

I was impressed by how they had categorized all the different regulations by objective.

I’m on board. I like this better than the traditional rules anyway, I told my wife into her mind.

“Essentially,” Violet summarized as she widened her stance for Master Remy, “the proposed dynamic would be identical to the one we’re all used to except for in extenuating circumstances where we defer to you and you have the final say?”

“Correct, my Queen.”

With a final nod from me toward her reflection in the mirror, Violet accepted their proposal. Dahlia immediately took a half step forward to be in line with her husband.

“Anything else,” our queen asked, “before you two go pack for your honeymoon?”

The newlyweds exchanged a look before Kincaid asked, “Out of curiosity, what are the plans for Darkmoon now that you’re no longer its Alpha?”