Alphard appeared at her side, watching him with her.
“For what it’s worth,” said Alphard, his voice strained. “I will never be angry for the time I had with him.”
“But will he be angry at me?” she asked softly as they stood and watched him.
Without waiting for an answer, she made to move towards him. But Abraxas appeared between them both, grabbing their forearms and hauling them towards the empty throne.
Their new Queen was nowhere to be seen.
“Brax,” said Maeve, beginning her argument.
“Trust me, cousin, just shut up and allow this to unfold without a public scene.”
Maeve bit the inside of her lip and listened as Abraxas continued. The change in his tone told her he knew a bit of truth at last.
“I’m going to pin this stupid new honorary broach on your chest, Alphard,” said Abraxas, “for all your excellent combat in the Elven Lands. And then Mal is going to bring Maxius forward and announce him as his heir. And then, Maxius is going to show everyone all the wonderful Magic Mal has shown him, and then everyone is going to leave in one piece. Yes?”
Maeve and Alphard shared an apprehensive glance at Abraxas’ chaotic order. Neither of them argued as he placed them at the base of the throne dais. Abraxas took his place by the throne as the hall fell silent.
Mal entered with little time for acknowledgment. What would normally have been a formal walk to his throne was unceremoniously swift and direct, causing an immediate tension to settle in. Everyone, including Maeve and Alphard, dipped their heads as he passed them. He did not look at either of them as he ascended the steps to his throne.
Once seated, Abraxas stepped forward and picked up a golden pin from a wooden stand on the dais. He faced the hall and began what Maeve knew at once to be a well-rehearsed speech.
“It is my honor as Hand of the King,” began Abraxas as Maeve dared a look at Mal.
His gaze was fixed on nothing in the distance. A vacant stare on his handsome face. Magic rippled through her, her own spell slicing open wider against her will. A few shifts of breath scattered the hall, and Abraxas stumbled over his words as she struggled to hold the Magic together.
“Stop.”
Mal’s voice was unsettlingly calm.
Abraxas turned towards him and raised a soft brow.
Mal regarded him for a moment and then tilted his head. “Do you serve me, Abraxas? Or another?”
Abraxas nearly faltered beneath the question. Maeve had never seen him under such duress. “You, my King. Always you.”
Mal made a contemplative sound, as though he was undecided if Abraxas was being truthful, and his eyes lifted back to Alphard. “And you?”
Alphard wasn’t dumb enough to let his rage out on Mal, but Maeve felt his temper swell.
“A captain of the Bellator,” continued Mal, “who I recently promoted to commander, now receiving another great honor. Where does your loyalty lie?”
The question was veiled, but clear to Maeve: Mal was aware that Alphard had willingly helped her deceive him. Mal stood and stepped down from his throne, his eyes still on Alphard.
“Do you think a man who swears fealty to another, and then breaks his word, should be honored in my world?”
Alphard scowled. “No, my King.”
Mal circled them with a nod. “On that, we can agree.” His eyes landed on Maxius. Maeve’s heart hammered against her chest. He held out his hand and beckoned the boy with two fingers. Maxius looked to Maeve for approval. She offered him a single nod, knowing her protection over him was not easily broken.
Mal’s eyes still held a trace of their true color.
Maxius stepped forward, leaving behind Zimsy, and Arianna, and his cousins. The tense silence drew out his journey across the long hall. Mal’s fingers curled around themselves, soft Magic kindling. His eyes narrowed slightly as the locket around Maxius’ neck pulsed with Magic. Maeve held a tight breath, realizing, no doubt at the same moment Mal had, that the Dread Locket rested on Maxius’ chest.
When he arrived before Mal, the Dread King looked back at Alphard.
“Continue, Abraxas,” he commanded. “But know this, Mavros.” He looked back down at Maxius. “It is only for his sake.”
