“Are you done?” Cole demanded in a voice commanding enough to silence them.
They would make it difficult for him to claim the throne, but these self-important assholes already obeyed him.
“The Lord cannot threaten us,” one of the fae said.
“He can, and he has,” Cole said calmly. “How soon can the trials start?”
Lexi leaned forward to make sure she didn’t miss the response.
* * *
“I’m not sure,”Elvin said. “I will look into it and send word when I know.”
“Good,” Cole stated.
“A half-breed will not lead us,” Aelfdane declared.
“Once I survive those trials, I will.”
“My son will also endure the trials,” Durin said.
“So will mine,” Alston said.
Cole kept his face impassive while he inwardly seethed over these two assholes so gallantly offering their sons up for death. They were both too cowardly to endure the trials themselves, but if, by some miracle, one of their sons survived and he didn’t, they planned to rule the Gloaming through them.
“I will endure the trials too,” Aelfdane said.
At least he’s not as cowardly as the other two.
“That’s fine,” Cole said as he stared at Aelfdane. “If anyone else survives the trials, I’ll kill them when it’s over, as custom dictates.”
Aelfdane paled a little but didn’t respond.
“You can all go now,” Cole said.
Used to being dismissed in such a way by his father, they didn’t question it until they were to the door. Once there, they hesitated before leaving the hall. Returning to the table now would only make them look more foolish.
“Now what?” Brokk asked.
“Now, I’m going to take Lexi to my rooms,” Cole said. “She wants to return home soon, and I need you to protect her in case Malakai returns.”
“Of course,” Brokk said. “But without me here, the palace will be open to the council’s invasion.”
“Do you think they’ll try to move in?”
“Yes.”
“So do I.”
“How do we stop it?”
“Brokk can stay here,” Lexi said as she slipped from the shadows. “I’ll be fine at home with Sahira. I’m sure she’s made plenty of skin-melting potion by now.”
“That sounds lovely,” Brokk said.
“Can I come out now?” she asked.
Cole smiled as he beckoned her forward. “You already are.”
