“Yes.”
“There are a thousand things we will have to take care of and do; why would you go see her now?”
“Because I have to.”
The door shut behind him, and then the padding sound of Brokk’s soft boots sounded against the stone as he hurried after him. Cole didn’t look back at his brother while he navigated the palace halls toward his rooms.
He’d spent his entire life within these walls, and during that time, he’d passed these doors thousands of times. He’d learned which doors would never open to him, and he’d accepted that he would never satisfy his curiosity about those rooms. They belonged to someone else and would not open to anyone but their owners, even if those owners were dead.
Will the palace seal off my father’s rooms now too? Is that how it works?
A pang of sadness broke through his rage; it pierced his heart, but he swiftly buried it. This was not the time or place for it; he had far too much to do. First things first, he would see Lexi, then meet with the dark fae council and arrange to start the trials.
When he finished the trials, they would plan his father’s memorial. He would prefer to do it before the trials, but the longer the Gloaming went without a king, the more likely turmoil and uprisings would begin to unfold. And the authority of the throne would help him crush any rebellions before they took root.
Once he claimed the throne, he would use his power to help him sink his claws into the Lord and rip him to pieces. He would celebrate when that fucker’s blood covered him.
Chapter Two
“Cole.”
Brokk reached for his arm but hesitated when he saw the bite mark from the dragon and the blood coating him so thickly. His brother lowered his hand without touching him.
“The fae council is going to descend on this palace as soon as they learn of Father’s death,” Brokk said.
“I know.”
“They won’t want either of us to rule. We’re only half-breeds.”
“They’re not going to have a choice.”
“Great. Fantastic. Glad to hear you say that because I’d really like to kill the Lord, but if you’re not here when the council arrives, then what? I don’t plan to throw myself in the ring as a contender for the throne as I wantnothingto do with ruling the Gloaming.”
“I know.”
“You never wanted to rule it either.”
“I still don’t.”
“Then—”
“I don’t have a choice. Iamgoing to rule, because if I don’t, the Lord is going to destroy us all,” Cole interrupted. “I will rule because I’m going to kill that prick if it’s the last thing I do. But Ihaveto see Lexi first.”
“Cole—”
When Cole spun on him, Brokk stopped speaking and took a startled step back. “She’s my mate, Brokk,and I’m going to see her. Ihaveto make sure she’s safe. If the council arrives before I return, then you’ll have to stall them. I don’t care how you do it. Justdoit.”
Brokk gawked at him, and this time when Cole walked away from him, it was a few seconds before his brother scrambled to catch up again.
“Your mate as in yourlycanmate?” Brokk demanded when he arrived at Cole’s side once more.
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you say something? I could have checked on her.”
“I wasn’t expecting to be gone for so long.” Or to come back soaked in his father’s blood. “I didn’t expect any of this.”
He’d also never expected to watch his father die, to endure the trials, rule the Gloaming, or have the Lord breathing down his neck about his rebellious brothers. He certainly never thought he’d be leaving Lexi for nearly two weeks when he walked away from her manor.
