“What are those?” Lexi asked and pointed to the structures.
“The homes of the king’s soldiers,” Cole said.
“How many are there?”
“Homes or soldiers?”
“Both.”
“There’s a little over a hundred soldiers now. We lost many to the war.And there are a few hundred homes with an option to house more in homes behind the palace.”
Lexi studied the buildings as they ascended the steps. It helped to distract her from her nervousness, but not much.
Things had changed so much in such a short amount of time. The last time she was here, she didn’t know the man walking at her side, and now she knew him in the most intimate of ways.
She was also falling in love with him.
“Since the council is already here, I’ll have to see them immediately, but I’ll show you to my rooms first,” Cole said as they climbed the steps to the doors.
“Yourrooms?”
“Unless you prefer to stay somewhere else.”
“No,” she blurted and then started to blush. “I, uh… I didn’t know what to, ah… what to expect.”
“From now on, Lexi, you can expect to be by my side in all things.”
Her heart melted a little as she inwardly groaned. Yes, she was definitely going to have to figure out what to do about Orin and Cole soon. She couldn’t keep this big of a secret from Cole when he was saying things likethat.
But could she trust him? And how was he going to react when he learned she’d kept this from him?
He wouldn’t do anything to harm her. She was certain of that.
She was also certain he was going to be pissed.
Chapter Eleven
Cole releasedLexi’s hand to clasp her elbow as they ascended the stairs. The door opened before they arrived at the top, and Brokk stepped into the light spilling out of the palace. He smiled when he saw Lexi, but it didn’t reach his eyes, and it faded when he saw her bruises.
“What happened?” he demanded.
“Malakai doesn’t like the word no,” she replied.
“Is he alive?”
“Not by choice and not for much longer if I have my way, but he teleported away before I could finish him,” Cole said.
“Of course that coward did. Are you okay?” Brokk asked Lexi.
“I’m fine,” she assured him.
Brokk stepped back to let them enter. “The council is waiting for you in the great hall.”
“I’m going to show Lexi to my rooms before I meet with them,” Cole replied.
“They’re getting impatient, Cole.”
“I’m going to be their king; they’llwait.”
