Auren POV
“Alpha Orlin,” Queen Elara said, surprise lacing her tone. “I see you took last night’s conversation to heart.” I swallowed the bite in my mouth, inclined my head once. “Yes, Your Majesty. I take this very seriously. My defensiveness over my mate was misplaced. I trust her and we are here to negotiate peace. I must trust you if this is to work.”
She hummed, but didn’t touch her plate again.
“Did you sleep well out on the balcony?” Aelira asked from across the table. I met her gaze for a breath and nodded. “One of the better nights I’ve had in a long time. It does you good to be one with the trees,” I said, keeping my tone even despite knowing it was bait.
“That is true.” Riven’s fork clicked his plate as he set it down, a smug tilt in his smile aimed straight at me. “I was ab
