Gradually, the shadows started pulling back. They retreated from his mind and slid out of his nose and mouth with every exhalation. As they exited the wounds they entered, the injuries closed, and most of his ciphers vanished. All that remained were the ones he always kept on display.
While he walked, the shadows continued to move around and embrace him, but they’d stopped entering him. They didn’t have to. He’d passed the final test, and soon he would be free of this place, but he would never be free of the power that thrived here.
He’d always been a part of the shadows, but nowtheywere also a part ofhim.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Cole was almostto the bottom of the hill when the darkness eased and the shadows finally gave way. He emerged onto a rocky plane similar to the one he stood on before entering the tunnel.
And when he glanced to his right, he saw the tunnel opening. He’d somehow managed to come full circle, and the remaining members of the council were there to greet him. The five of them stood before the open portal to the Gloaming.
HisGloaming now.
He didn’t bother to shield his nudity as he walked toward them. He’d never cared about nudity before; he cared less now.
“Have you all been standing here, waiting this whole time?” he asked them.
“No,” Elvin replied. “We have taken turns keeping watch. I sent back word something was happening when the volcanoes stopped erupting.”
When Cole looked over the tunnel, he saw that the volcanoes had stopped spewing smoke and lava.
“Where are the others?” Durin asked.
“Are you going to pretend to be concerned about your son now?” Cole inquired.
Durin’s jaw clenched, but he wisely kept his mouth shut.
“Eoghan didn’t survive the tunnel,” he shot a pointed look at Alston, who had the sense to find his feet fascinating. “Your son, Auberon, screamed as he died an excruciating death,” Cole said to Durin. “AndIkilled Aelfdane.”
They exchanged looks as he let his revelations sink in. When they looked to him again, he saw the wariness in their eyes.
“I am your king,” he stated. “And if one orallof you intend to fight me on it, then I’ll kill you too.”
“That’s not necessary,” Elvin said. “You have survived the trials and, as the law dictates, have earned the throne. But more than that, the trials have proven you are strong enough to protect the Gloaming.”
Durin made a sound that caused Cole’s eyes to narrow on him, but the coward wouldn’t look at him. One day, Cole would make him pay, but today was not the day.
Even with all his newfound power coursing through him and the backing of the dark fae throne behind him, he still needed the council on his side. They held a lot of sway over the dark fae realm.
“Yes, you are,” Becca purred.
She seemed to have forgotten her irritation with him as she lustfully eyed his body. When Cole scowled at her, she smiled. Becca was something he would also deal with later, but all he wanted now was to return home to Lexi.
She had to be worried about him, and not only did he need to ease her apprehension, but he also had to hold her. He missed the feel of her in his arms more than he’d missed water while in the desert.
“I expect all of you to meet me in the palace in one hour,” he said. “We have much to discuss.”
“Of course,” Finn murmured.
He didn’t look back at them as he strode toward the portal and entered it. He would never look back on the trials or the realm that nearly destroyed him.
It was time to move on to a throne he never wanted but would fight to the death to protect.
As he stalked through the portal, the shadows twisted around him, and he felt their movement in his soul. He wasn’t sure he would ever get used to the strange sensation, but he welcomed it.
When he emerged from the portal, he was only fifty feet away from the palace gates. A crow cawed as it soared toward one of the open palace windows and slipped inside. As soon as he got inside, he would send crows to Lexi and Brokk.
He hoped she would agree to join him here for a little while. He would have preferred to go to her, but he couldn’t leave until he secured the throne.
