Denzel’s POV
“You dare enter my kingdom and challenge me for my throne?” Rochelle snapped. “I am royalty by marriage. I may not have borne a child, but I have many years ahead of me. Your King and the Bear King have no claim here. My husband’s death is nothing but speculation. Until he returns or his body is found I will remain on this throne.”
I exhaled slowly, the sound heavy in my chest.
“I am not disputing your right to rule in his stead, Your Majesty,” I said evenly. “But if that is truly what you’re doing, then you have no authority to overturn his decrees or dismantle his accords. You are merely holding the fort on his behalf.”
She leaned back into the throne, visibly relaxing, and her gaze slid to Venessa with calculated interest.
“And how fares the rogue situation on your sid
