"Is that so?" Ryder asked coldly.

"I'd do anything for you, and anything to have you. I have never hidden my desire for you, and I've done everything to please you," she went down to one knee. "My sister failed to draw your lust, but I've had it many times. I can give you what you need and crave unlike Abiageal," she said with full confidence. "And unlike the Blood Princess who fought you and thought to betray you. I would never turn you from my bed, Sire."

I'd never betrayed him. Kept shit from him and omitted the truth out of fear of him wanting me for power, sure. That I was guilty of, but it hadn't been a betrayal.

"What part did you play in the treachery that occurred in my castle?" he asked and I watched as her spine stiffened and she grew nervous.

"I...I don't wish to speak of it, for I know I overstepped in my ambitions, but the end result is as I wished it, Sire. I have you and I hear you have obtained your children."

"Was it your intention for me to find them at all? Or were they supposed to die with their mother?" he continued and even I could see the anger burning in his eyes from my vantage point.

"Ryder-"

"I am your King, Claire. You do not address me as anything but my rightful title as the Horde King," he sneered.

"My King, I only wished for her to go away and didn't care how it happened," she said in a soft voice, as if she was hoping he'd understand.

"You gave her to the enemy while she was heavily pregnant with my children, and you hoped that by doing so, they all would perish and that in my grief I'd come to you to feed."

"She's gone. I see no reason to speak of this now," she responded defensively.

I smiled and started down the aisle, shedding my glamour as I went. I heard the inner thoughts of her as I did so, wondering if this was one of the gifts Danu had mentioned I'd be plagued with. To me, it was a valuable asset; I just needed to figure out how to turn it on and not just have random thoughts coming to me out of nowhere.

"Why does he even care? I gave his bitch away to be killed, and her brats should have died too! They promised me they'd all die. That I would have the King in his grief, even Dyson said he'd be forced to feed and I was the only one left who he would take from the pavilion. I'd kill his whore myself if the bitch was here!" Claire was talking shit in her head when I approached her. She'd planned the murder of me and my children in hopes that she could replace me and give him more babies.

"Here's your chance," I said as I stood behind her. "Make a move, Claire. Please," I growled and watched as she spun around, white as a ghost.

"You're dead! They promised me you wouldn't live through it!" she whispered shakily.

"They lied because they could. You, on the other hand are guilty of trying to kill an Heir and her unborn children," I seethed the words out but kept my anger in check. I knew she could feel the hum of my power, as it was much like Ryder's, and I could see her hair starting to rise with static from the magnitude of it.

"I...I...Ryder, please," she spun around and fell to her knees at his feet. "I just wanted to be with you! You must understand that I did it for us, so we could finally be together!"

"I don't think Synthia agrees, and your actions will not go unpunished. Treachery is punishable by years of the Traitor's Punishment. Your smooth skin should make beautiful parchment," he rumbled harshly.

I felt my own skin crawl as I remembered signing the skin parchment at Ryder's club after he'd dragged me there to force my hand into signing his contract. It meant she'd be locked up, and skinned until he decided to release her.

"No, please, I'll serve you! I'll do anything for you!" she cried.

"Have some dignity, Claire," I said as I stepped around her crumpled form to stand beside Ryder.

"Claire, I sentence you to the Traitor's Punishment for the next ten thousand..."

"No," I stopped Ryder and reached for his hand. "No," I repeated louder and watched as light flickered in Claire's eyes and she drew herself up to stand in front of us. Hatred shone from within her, and I could still hear her inner thoughts.

She thought me weak and too tenderhearted to allow her harm. Boy was she wrong.

"Then what shall my punishment be, Blood Princess," she hissed angrily, not even bothering to hide her smug smile.

"Death," I smiled coldly. "You committed treason against my King. That alone I could overlook and award you the punishment my King has chosen for you. However, you tried to kill my children, innocent babies who had done you no harm. For that you will die," I spoke loudly so those in the assembly could hear.

"No!" Cornelius screamed as he sputtered to his daughter. "You have no proof!"

"On the contrary; we have enough proof to kill both of you if Synthia so wishes it," Ryder growled and moved closer to me. "We know your daughter was under your instructions to kill Synthia, and you sent the Skin Walker, Dyson, to your daughter. He committed crimes against the Horde Kingdom in the belief that his sister would be returned, but Faolan's already killed her. You knew that; you told Claire as much. You were working with your daughter to secure her place by my side and on the Queen's throne. You are the one who promised her that she'd be my second choice, and why? I never led you to believe I was interested in your daughter, not beyond the need for sustenance."

"You have no right!" Cornelius screamed as spittle left his mouth.

"I am your King! I have every right. Danu granted me the right when she chose me as Heir to the Horde. You, Cornelius, are guilty of high treason and I sentence you to the Traitor's Punishment to begin tonight. You will be stripped of your lands, which shall be granted to your daughter Abiageal," Ryder's voice boomed out loudly, the hair on my neck stood up as he dished out the sentencing. "I concur with my consort's recommendation and your daughter Claire, as foolish as she is for following, will pay for it with her life, here and now. I will not tolerate treachery from my own people, nor will we tolerate any attempt on our children's lives. Claire, you are sentence to die by my blade," he said as he pulled out a sword and looked to me for my agreement.

I stepped back and nodded as he stepped closer.

"You should have been satisfied with the life my men offered you. By your own deeds, you forfeited your life; may the Goddess forgive you," he said and looked at me.

Highly doubtful!

He swung in a wide arch, and I refused to flinch as her head was severed from her shoulders.

"Bring forth Cailean," Ryder growled as some of the lower guards moved to remove the body of the selfish Fae who'd sealed her own fate. Zahruk made a quick motion of his hand and every trace of blood disappeared. I felt like a horrible person, because I felt relief that she was dead, and could no longer do harm to those I loved.

Cornelius didn't pause to grieve for the daughter he'd lost, instead he shouted orders to his men who only stood by and watched his feeble attempt to start a riot. I watched him as he continued to froth at the mouth as his only daughter watched him with anger burning in her eyes. Tears had slipped from her eyes as she mourned her sister. Another group of the lower guards pushed through and took a screaming and struggling Cornelius away to his punishment.

"Abiageal," I whispered but it was enough to force her eyes from her bitter father's form. "These are not your sins, nor will we judge you for them. You will join us in a treaty, and I'd like it if you stayed here with the protection of the Horde for a few weeks."

"My lady," she mouthed. "I have wronged you, because my family has," she said as her shoulders slumped. "I should be thrown to the far corners of Faery and our lands should be given to the crown."

"No; the deeds of the father are not that of the child. Alazander was a bastard, and yet his son is just. Your father misled your sister and walked her down a very dark path and she chose to walk beside him. You did not. You were innocent of these crimes and you shall retain your father's holdings. You will make a great ruler of his lands. One I am counting on to help us when the time comes."

I hadn't realized that everyone was silent, watching me as I spoke to Abiageal. Others had moved away from her as if I'd been ready to accuse her of a crime. By the time I turned back to Ryder, Cailean was there watching me with a guarded look in his eyes.

"Cailean, you've been following me. I'd like to know why," I said as I stood tall and watched him for any sign that something was off.

"I know Faolan and what he is capable of. I have tried to protect you as should be expected of those that guard the royal family. Although I was part of his guard, my primary duty is to the family. You know I shielded you when he found your guardians, and I have been trying to protect you from him for years. I could do nothing when you were given to the Horde King, but I could follow you to make sure you were safe. I was with you when you were in Faery as well, on the last outing. I was following you, of that I am guilty, Princess."

"Why were you in the woods?" I asked, intrigued to know that he'd been like my own guardian angel.

"Faolan had sent many Mages to track and intercept you. Despite all of your precautions, I fear you still underestimate him," he said and I stiffened as Ryder growled.

"I mean no disrespect, Horde King, only that I was afraid it would cost Sorcha-Synthia, her life. I meant to keep watch and only intervene if needed. I chose to protect her and appointed myself as her guardian," he said solemnly.

"And would you die for me?" I asked him as I stepped down onto the floor at eye level with him.

"Yes," he said without hesitation.

"And would you kill Faolan to protect me and my children?"

"Yes," he repeated.

"Good," I said. "As is my right, I choose you for guardian of my children," I said and smiled.

"My Princess," he whispered. "I'm honored."

"Oh I wouldn't be honored yet," I said as I wrinkled my nose.

"It's an honor to protect your children," he said. "I'll not let either of them out of my sight."

"Three of them," I said with a huge smile as the entire assembly started talking excitedly at once.

Chapter Fifteen.

I was seated with Ryder at my side as the babies were brought down the aisle, each wrapped in silk blankets of the same black as the men who carried them wore. It was almost comical for the Elite Guard to be carrying something so tiny and yet so precious to their hearts.

Ristan carried my daughter. Sinjinn carried the dark haired boy, and Dristan carried the blonde haired boy. The entire assembly watched in awe as the first set of triplets in Fae history were brought out and presented to us. I'd been warned about what was coming, and it was tradition, but my heart still leapt to my throat.

In true Fae tradition, the children would be presented to the father, and if he so chose, he'd accept them. This was why Tatiana had hidden her daughter, because the child wasn't Dresden's. She'd known he would throw the child out to the elements. I knew her fear, but I also knew Ryder would never reject our precious children. Tatiana didn't have that reassurance.

I watched as my hulking beast kissed the top of his daughters platinum curls, and then her cheek, which he followed by doing the same to her brothers. When he'd accepted them, he took his seat and one by one, they were handed to us.

I wasn't sure how Ryder had brought this many Fae here on such short notice, nor did I know if he told them they were coming for an heir's death, explaining a shift in power, or administering punishment of traitors to the presentation of newborns and potential heirs. The man was good at this; whatever he told them, and the way he'd reached for our daughter when Ristan had tried to move towards me had sent warmth through me that filled my heart.

She'd already tamed the wild beast with only looking into his golden eyes with a matching pair. I held the boys, who had done the same to me, and I watched with wonder as they lifted their hands to touch the multi-colored brands that pulsed on my arms.

They were alert and active, unlike their sister who was content to just wrinkle her brow line as she watched her father's every move. I listened as Ristan called off the news of the triplets, and the assembly stood as they moved to form a reception line.

Apprehension filled me as they moved toward us. I wasn't ready for them to be close to my children, and my power emitted from my entire body as I grew worried. It didn't go unnoticed by those closest to us, but it was Ryder who calmed me.

"You have my best soldiers surrounding us, ready to kill to protect them. You have your own guard; now calm down. If I can feel your discomfort and powers, so too can everyone else in this room." His mental voice rumbled reassuringly across my mind.

I turned to look at him and smiled softly, replying the same way. "Easier said than done; I have no idea how to stop it," I warned. I felt Danu's presence, and then her hand as she touched my shoulder.

"Breathe daughter, before you give everything away," Danu said, and I knew I alone could see her.

One by one, the members of the Castes came forward to bless our children and then returned to their seats. It wasn't until Madisyn reached us that I smiled and relaxed a bit. She had tears in her eyes as she touched the babes, and then stood before Ryder. I had been informed beforehand that customarily during this ceremony, she as my mother could hold them, but she only moved to my daughter and touched her hair.

"She's so beautiful, and these boys, so active for being born early," she whispered and kissed each babe's head before she touched my cheek. Lasair stood behind her, watching me. I smiled at him and about fell off my chair when he smiled back. His eyes filled with pride, and then he shouted.

"My daughter birthed triplets! Long live the Horde King and soon to be Queen!" I jumped as his voice boomed through the room, and then smiled at his out of character reaction to my children. He was proud of me, and it felt foreign. I'd only known one father figure, and that had been Alden, since I'd been too young to really know my adopted father.

"Long live the King and Queen!" someone else shouted and then a chorus of it sang out through the room.

Ryder's hand caressed mine and I looked over at him. "You're going to have marry me now, Pet," he smiled roguishly. "The people have decreed it."

"The people have decreed it?" I lifted a blonde brow and smiled.

"They have," he assured me.

"I told you my answer, for now," I whispered and narrowed my eyes on him.

"We'll just have to see about that, for I plan to change your mind," he growled and Lasair hooted as Madisyn smiled.

"I love weddings, especially royal ones," she said, not bothering to hide her wide grin.

"I'll let you know when he actually asks me and I accept," I said.

Adam was behind them with his family. He smiled, and I smiled back. Our familiar bond had been broken, but our bond formed of love and loss would never be touched. He stepped up and placed his hand on my cheek and I smiled.

"You are so going to have your hands full," he said softly.

"So is Uncle Adam," I teased.

"Is that so?" Adrian's voice sounded from not far behind Adam. I smiled and turned to look for him.

Vlad was with him; both smiled knowingly and, as Adam moved back to his seat, they stepped up.

"Pretty girl went and gave birth to another pretty girl," Vlad said with a wink. "Go figure."

"She's as gorgeous as her mother is," Adrian said as he looked down at my daughter.

"Is she now?" I asked as I looking lovingly at my daughter. "Good thing she's got two brothers to protect her then."

Adrian laughed, but Ryder wasn't.

"Keep your hands off my wife and my daughter, kid," he growled, but as I turned to glare at him, it was to find him smiling with his eyes, which Adrian couldn't see.

"Hey, I won't touch your wife, because I don't see one here," Adrian teased. "But this little beauty? I can wait for her to get old enough to date."

"The hell you say," I sputtered. "You cannot date my daughter!" That was just wrong on so many levels that I couldn't even begin to count them.

"And how about me?" Vlad asked. "Oh, not the baby; but I did tell you to go Vamp before you went Fairy, or after. You know, for comparison's sake." I smiled as his silver eyes took in my sons. "Who knew the beast planted an entire litter of little beasties in that belly?" he asked and turned to Ryder with a gentle nod.

"Indeed," Ryder growled proudly.

I smiled at him before Vlad bent down to kiss my cheek. "We will be staying for a few days, and now that you're not pregnant, I owe you a stiff...drink," he whispered before he turned and bowed at his waist to the King.

Hundreds paid respect to Ryder and the babes. I could hear Ryder speaking to each one, asking them for their support when the time came to gather at the rowan Tree and many pledged to return and bring more support with them when the call went out to gather at the Tree.

Many of the women that came through the receiving line added subtle hints of his prowess in the bedroom, and his virility. It was downright embarrassing the way they behaved. As if they thought he'd give them the same boon, and they'd pop out triplets as well.

"Synthia," Ryder whispered as his hand slipped over my smaller one and his fingers trailed softly, warmly over mine. "It's time for the babies to go to the nursery to be fed," he continued when I stared at where his fingers absently stroked mine.

The babies were taken by his men and soon after that the assembly of Fae gathered in the room where a sizable feast would be held in the honor for the birth of the new babes-or possible Heirs, as Danu had pointed out to me earlier.

I didn't want to be away from my babies, but it was imperative that we win the Fae over, and that they all come with us for the blessing of the infants when it was time. We stood as one and moved through one of the small antechambers, before making our way to the head of the table where we both sat and gave praise to those who came by and offered gifts for our babes like it was some sort of Fae version of a baby shower-just without the games.