Hyran spoke to Dexmon with no warmth.
"Serena is dying. She needs to be marked again. Do you want to save her?"
Dexmon was too busy staring at Agnes to notice.
Fin watched this unfold, then looked at Serena.
No. Fuck diplomacy.
"If he won't, I will claim her for Shadowclaw," he declared. "She is my second chance fated mate."
King Tiberon's head snapped from his son to Fin, eyes narrowing.
"She isn't aware. I didn't say anything to her," Fin added quickly, not wanting it to come back to her if this went south. But there was no question he would be marking her if Dexmon wouldn't.
"She is mated. Crowned yesterday, King Shadowclaw," Queen Bellatrix cut in sharply.
Fin's gaze slid to Dexmon.
"I intend no insult or disrespect, Your Majesty," he replied evenly. "I would never interfere or overstep. But it appears he does not care whether she lives or dies."
His voice dropped. "My last mate died in my arms. I will not allow that to happen again. If he does not want her, I do. It would be an honor to name her my queen."
He straightened, Alpha aura rolling outward. "I swear her protection on my life. And I offer Drakenfell the full military oath of Shadowclaw. Our armies, our borders, our blood, bound to yours without condition. No treaties to renegotiate. No exit clause."
Several jaws hit the floor.
Shadowclaw was the largest and most powerful kingdom on the continent. Drakenfell had dragons. But Shadowclaw held Skardos and everyone knew it.
King Tiberon spoke. "Dexmon, at my insistence, you were called here."
Dexmon turned when his father said his name.
"Of course," he replied, kissing Agnes's knuckles.
"Serena is dying. Do you want to save her? If you don't, so be it. Shadowclaw will. Choose."
When King Tiberon said the name Shadowclaw, Agnes perked up. He was the youngest, richest, most attractive Alpha King. The most desired man in Skardos.
He was the one she originally wanted, but he hadn't been ready to consider a new mate after his last one passed.
Dexmon had been the second most eligible bachelor. Not quite a king, but in line and handsome.
Her eyes narrowed at Serena. Expression clear as day.
Hyran saw it and voiced what half the room was thinking, rolling his eyes. "For fuck's sake. What is wrong with you?"
He didn't bother hiding his dislike of Agnes.
Dex's eyes locked on Hyran, darkening. "Do not speak to her like that."
Before he finished his sentence, Bellatrix yanked her son forward out of Agnes's grip. Agnes reached for his arm again, stepping forward to follow, but Bellatrix stepped between them.
"You stay put," she snapped.
Dexmon blinked, confused. But Bellatrix didn't give him time to try to be a gentleman to Agnes. She pulled him across the room quickly and not gently, stopping when he was close enough to get a full view of Serena.
"You insisted you were fated mates. You told her, marked her, and crowned her in under a week. Your ancestors chose her for you at her crowning ceremony. Gold fire to the ceiling. Her crown glowed. I'm told both are the highest honor."
She paused, taking a breath. "And you changed your mind. Is that correct?"
Dexmon frowned, confused. "I'll save her, but I cannot mark her. I already have a mate."
His eyes never left Serena. "What is she?"
"What do you mean, 'what is she'?" Queen Bellatrix hissed.
"And who is she?" Dexmon asked, brow furrowing. Genuinely confused. He took another step towards her on his own.
Suddenly Agnes screamed, high-pitched, and started crying.
"My ankle! Dex... I need help."
Dexmon turned towards her, but King Tiberon stepped in front of his son, blocking Agnes from view.
Dexmon tilted his head, confused.
"What do you mean you can't mark her because you already have a mate?" King Tiberon asked, eyes darkening.
"Serena. The girl dying there is your fated mate. She's also your bonded through Velkaris. You love her." He paused. "Was that all acting on your part?"
Dexmon turned back to Serena. Agnes started crying louder and he turned back to her.
"Dexmon!" Hyran clapped his hands sharply. Dex's gaze snapped to him automatically.
"What is this girl's name?" Hyran demanded, pointing at Serena, teeth gritted. Everyone felt the excruciating heat coming from their Hidden Flame marks.
Dexmon frowned.
"I've never seen her. Have we met?"
Bellatrix and Tiberon made eye contact. Both thinking the same thing.
Bellatrix let go of Dexmon and marched over to Agnes, yanking her up by the arm.
"What did you do to my son?"
"I didn't do anything," Agnes sobbed. "It's not my fault he forgot about the girl who distracted him from our betrothal that had been months long."
"Why can't he remember her name?" Bellatrix demanded, teeth gritted.
"Ask him that. Not me." Agnes wiped her eyes, tears flowing. Her tone was one of incredulous shock that sounded believable.
Bellatrix raised her voice with contained rage.
"I've kept my mouth closed all day. Tell me why you are wearing a crown that was gifted to her. A crown that belongs to Drakenfell, when you are not crowned. I never thought I'd need to educate a princess on the blatant disrespect of that."
Fin's head snapped up, jaw tight, not bothering to hide his look of disbelief. His eyes narrowed.
Agnes noticed him looking. She raised her voice making sure it carried across the chamber, assuming Fin looked because he was worried for her. She had, after all, rolled her ankle.
"I'm s-s-sorry. He g-g-gave it to me," she sniffled. "He said I am to be crowned officially in two days."
Agnes was so convincing.
Hyran blinked, shocked by the scene unfolding.
Did Dexmon fall and hit his head?
He shook his head at that. No.
"Dexmon," he called loudly, clapping again to get his attention. "Do you remember seeing this girl today? You sat by her this morning in the Battle Address and you saw her in the Draken Forces meeting."
Dexmon blinked, brow furrowing.
"No, I've never seen her before. Why is she on the ground?"
"We just told you. She is dying. You either mark her or Shadowclaw does," Hyran replied, losing patience.
"Mark her? I already have a mate—"
King Tiberon cut him off.
"Dexmon, mark her. If you don't, you will regret this for the rest of your life. She is your mate."
Dexmon stared at his father, the man he respected more than anyone. His expression was shock and confusion.
"Regret what?" His eyes were unfocused, voice dazed.
"She's in agony. I still feel it even with her unconscious," Fin called out, panting. A bead of sweat fell from his temple.
Unbeknownst to Fin, most in the room were well aware she was close to death. Infernos blazed on their forearms. Aside from Gavriel and Alaric who winced once, no one reacted to it, which took considerable effort.
Dexmon turned back to look at her but didn't move.
King Tiberon could hear her heartbeats speeding. He shook his head once, then looked beyond his son to King Shadowclaw.
"Shadowclaw, please save her. You have our blessing."