“So, it’s a new development?”
“Yes.”
“Is it because you’re king?”
“No, it’s because I survived the trials. When I did, the shadows became as much a part of me as I am them. With or without the crown, that wouldn’t change.”
“I never saw it happen to Father,” Orin said.
When Cole’s head swiveled toward him, Lexi considered Orin either extremely brave or incredibly foolish to speak at all. The brothers stared at each other before Cole spoke.
“Neither did I, but that doesn’t mean it never did. We also never saw Father in a rage.”
“No, we didn’t, but you came back different than him, and we both know it.”
Lexi bit her bottom lip as she waited for someone to say something, but neither did. “Is that true?” she finally asked.
Cole turned his attention back to her. “I think so.”
“But why?”
He shrugged as he tenderly ran his fingers over her hand. “I don’t know.”
“But you’re going to be okay?”
“I’ll be fine,” he assured her. “If I’m different, it’s because I’m more powerful and have newfound abilities.”
“Like shadows that can inflict damage on another?”
“Yes.”
“You have to keep that hidden.”
“I know.” He kissed her forehead. “Don’t worry about me, love.”
That was much easier said than done.
He focused on Orin again. “Do you care to explain why you hurt her?”
Orin slowly rose from his position on the floor. He approached the stove, turned off the flame, and lifted the towel sitting beside it. He studied Lexi as he wiped the blood away from his mouth and nose.
“Sometimes, the arach would get silver markings on them,” he said.
“So?” Cole asked.
“So, your mate had a silver marking on the back of her hand. Don’t you find that a little strange?”
Lexi studied her palm beneath the water before turning it over. The silver was gone. “The dragon must have had something on it that left a mark on me.”
There was no other explanation. At one time, the arach were the most powerful immortals in existence, but she couldn’t even create a portal, was physically weaker than most immortals, and had no discernible powers.
“You think she’s an arach?” Cole inquired.
“I’m not sure what I think,” Orin said.
“I’m not an arach,” Lexi said. “It’s said they could walk through a dragon’s fire, and I can’t withstand a tiny flame from the stove.”
“I see that,” Orin muttered.
