Instinctively, Miriam crouched low, heedless of her custom crafted gown. At the rear of the chamber, only one of the two male figures followed suit before breaking into a run toward her. Most of the crowd, whether from confusion or shock, froze in place as silence fell over the hall. The walls shuddered as heavy thuds vibrated the rafters high overhead. Just as Jonatham bounded up the steps to reach her side, five black-scaled heads appeared at separate windows, their matching grim expressions turning her blood to ice.

Before Jonatham pulled her into his chest, shielding her from the room, Miriam noticed Requiro striding toward them, his pace determined but unhurried. Why isn't your father concerned?

His I don't know did nothing to settle her nerves, and she squirmed in his hold until she could survey the hall again over his shoulder. The dragons watched Requiro's progress toward the dais, heads swiveling to match his advancing position. Otherwise, they moved little, neither pushing closer nor retreating from their places. As she studied them, an odd wave of familiarity swelled over her.

But the dragons who attacked us were supposed to be executed after they confessed everything to Requiro. In all our discussions with the council and Requiro himself, there was never a hint that anything else happened besides what was expected by law.

Jonatham added, He also never actually confirmed their fate, come to think of it. I believe his answer to the council went something like, "I fulfilled my duties to the creatures and the kingdom." Everyone assumed he meant–

Miriam interrupted, Do you know the Earth saying about what happens when you assume? At his flood of confusion, she added, When you assume, you make an–

"Prince and Princess, citizens and honored guests, hear my words and be calm!"

Requiro's commanding voice cut through the murmurs of the crowd with ease from his stationary position at the midway point of the long aisle. Every set of eyes joined the dragons and focused on the retiring king. Jon pivoted on the balls of his feet a quarter turn so he could see his father, but Miriam noted that he maintained his low position and his tight grip on her body.

Until I can be sure you are safe, I will remain prepared to protect you, Mir. And at the moment, I am afraid my father's surprise may bite him, or us.

Her body wrapped in his warm embrace and her mind comforted by the soothing press of his concern, Miriam focused her attention on Requiro, who had begun to address the now silent gathering.

"My people! This day our kingdom overflows with blessings! We celebrate the beginning of a new era, one in which the authority to rule is shared between a king and his soulmate for the first time. We also welcome our first Earth-born queen, long may she reign!"

Here he paused to allow the expected and enthusiastic cheers to crest and retreat before continuing, "We share together the joy of the king finding his soulmate amid great trouble, and we rejoice that our fair land is restored to its famous beauty, free of the evil that shrouded it in shadow."

The happy shouts from thousands of mouths thundered louder than before, battering Miriam's eardrums so she feared developing hearing damage. The din went on and on until one of the dragons unleashed a piercing screech, reminding the entire assembly of the fearsome beasts observing the proceedings, and the great hall fell quiet again.

Requiro boomed, "On this day of blessings, another unprecedented event is taking place. When the coronation ceremony is complete, I will ask the new king and queen to grant me a sending ceremony, along with my five allies you see here."

He gestured to the dragons, who nodded in return. "These beasts have sworn an unbreakable vow of loyalty to me in return for their lives. When we locate the traitors, I will give the dragons a chance to exact their own revenge on the renegades. They too were betrayed, convinced by falsehoods that their target was an impersonator and his accomplice, rather than the crown prince himself and his soulmate. Should our endeavor be successful, I have promised them an unqualified pardon."

At this, the stillness in the room broke into frenzy, and Miriam feared the crowd might riot. Even Riquero's confidence seemed to waver as the shouts around them took on a distinct flavor of outrage and fear.

Time to show your power, my love. Jonatham's voice was calm and clear. Miriam knew exactly what he meant. Her stomach quivered anxiously, and she steadied herself with a deep breath

"My people," she whispered, her newest soulmate gift weighing down each syllable, "there is nothing to fear. Let the celebration proceed, that this hero and his brave creatures may make haste to secure the safety of this kingdom, and that of the kingdom to which our enemies have fled. Be seated, that we may begin."

As her voice fell silent, so did the chaos in the grand hall. Within two minutes, the entire crowd was seated and attentive, though many continued to stare nervously at the dragons. More than a few of the attendants near the stage looked instead at Miriam, jaws slack in astonishment. This first public demonstration of yet another rare magic had not gone unnoticed.

Jonatham unfolded himself from around Miriam and stood, drawing her up as he rose. Noticing the frozen servants, he cleared his throat, a booming sound in the still air. At once, the distracted attendants collected themselves and returned their attention to the retired king, who had resumed his progress to the dais.

Well done, my queen. Now it is time for you to take your proper place at my side, in the sight of our people. Unless my father has another surprise up his sleeve, that is.

She could not contain her grin. I hope he sticks to the script we practiced so carefully yesterday from this point on. I have a surprise, but it is only for you, once the celebration dinner has been served this evening. I would rather there be no further delays, for both our sakes.

To complete the tease, she imagined her surprise in close up detail. His groan and tightened grip on her hand told her he'd seen and understood her meaning, an assumption confirmed when he leaned close to her ear to mutter, "Any chance you could suggest he rush the ceremonies? I am uncertain my uniform can contain the effect you just had on me for long."

Miriam blushed at the implication and complied with his request.

—-------------

That evening, the newly crowned king and queen snuggled on a sofa in front of a roaring fireplace. Miriam's hidden surprise lay ruined on the floor behind them, the pile of white lace and silk scraps the only visible evidence of the power of their passion for one another. Though the items cost a small fortune, Miriam couldn't bring herself to regret their destruction. It wasn't every day one became royalty, after all.

A cushy robe caressed her skin as she relaxed in Jonatham's embrace. Awe at how dramatically her life had changed in a few months swept over her, followed by a wave of homesickness. Though she'd been able to exchange letters with her mother, Jonatham forbade her to travel to Earth herself, citing the unknown danger of their fugitive attackers and her new high status. Still, this special day felt slightly dimmed by the absence of her only blood relative.

Jonatham tightened his arms around her. "I know you miss your mother, love. My father promised he will seek her out immediately upon his journey through the portal tomorrow, to reassure her of your wellbeing and share the tale of today's ceremony. Once his mission is complete, he intends to bring her through the portal to visit us. This separation from her is only temporary, I swear to you."

The mention of his father's pending farewell distracted Miriam. "Does Riquero have a plan, besides taking the dragons with him? I don't think those beasts will even fit through the tunnels."

"Dragons keep to themselves, so there is much we do not know about them. This treaty is the first of its kind in our recorded history, and even in the first few hours, it has proven to be a horde of information. For example, when I asked my father that very question, he informed me that dragons can use their magic to change their size and appearance, within specific parameters. They will accompany him as a brace of hounds, only resuming their natural form in the face of extreme necessity."

"That's amazing!" Miriam exclaimed. After a beat, she added softly, "I never imagined any of the events of the past weeks could happen to me, or happen at all, for that matter. I went from a single junior employee doing grunt work to a queen married to her soulmate after saving two worlds from complete destruction. It still makes my head spin in quiet moments like this."

He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "I feel the same, my lady." When she laughed, he insisted, "I tell you the truth. Before I met you, I was resigned to a lonely life in exile, far from everything and everyone I knew. Repairing the portal was not guaranteed, nor was my father's continued existence. On the outside chance I returned home, the wraiths would be waiting, and I lacked the needed power for the reversal spell on my own. Doom overshadowed my future, any way I imagined it, until you walked into my isolation and into my heart. I owe you my life. My gratitude and love overwhelm me whenever I pause to ponder it."

He shifted so his lips met hers in a sweet kiss. Despite their recent activities, heat roared through Miriam's veins, and she increased the pressure of the contact, needing more, needing him.

"Ahem."

Miriam and Jonatham jerked apart, and he leapt to his feet in front of her, prepared to defend her against whatever threat dared invade their personal chambers.

"Now now, dear boy. I've known you since before you were born. I have no intentions of harming either you or your soulmate, and you should remember that. I apologize for the intrusion, especially on such an auspicious day, but it can't be helped. The vision affects you and the former king, and you know he won't listen to me. That leaves you two. With his imminent departure, waiting for you to emerge from your chambers was not a viable choice. Come now, has the karlet stolen your tongues? Speak and let me know the cloud of mating fever has retreated."

Intrigued by the familiar but unplaceable voice, Miriam leaned around to catch a glimpse of its source. The black-cloaked figure standing next to the fireplace, face mostly hidden in shadow, was vague enough to be anyone, but Miriam knew her at once.