Grasping the gate, Cole felt the familiar warmth beneath his hand as it recognized him before opening. He ignored the rotting dragon’s head and Sindri’s body as he strolled through the gate.
For the first time in years, he admired the palace as he stopped. Its endless rooms and numerous mysteries had always fascinated him, but sometime over his many years here, he stopped appreciating it as much.
He didn’t make that mistake again today. This towering, magical structure with a personality all its own washisnow, and he would make sure the palace deemed him worthy of such a claim.
These fae, moving about the inner courtyard, going about their lives, were his to rule and protect now. Like the palace, he would make sure they also deemed him worthy.
He would not always be kind, he would not tolerate disobedience, but he would be just and fair. And he would fight and die for them if it became necessary.
This was his land, these were his people, and he was glad to be their king.
Taking a deep breath, he smiled as he examined the buildings and the fae before walking up the stairs to the palace. One of the double doors swung open before he reached it, but as he entered the hall beyond, he discovered no one there.
Then the helot Adham emerged from one of the hallways.
“Milord!” he greeted as he rushed toward Cole. He came to a stop a few feet away. “Milord… Your Highness. You’ve returned.”
“I’ve returned,” Cole said. “How long was I gone?”
“Ten days.”
Ten days of pure, unadulterated hell.
“It is good to see you,” Adham said as he fell into step beside Cole.
“You too, Adham. I need some paper, a pen, and two crows. When that is done, I want any members of the council who have taken up residence here removed.”
“No one has moved in, milord.”
Adham stared at the door like a dog at a bone.
“The council didn’t try to move in?” Cole asked.
“They tried, but they were unsuccessful.”
Cole had intended for the crows to be the first thing he did, but those words caused him to stop and face Adham. “Explain.”
The helot stopped in front of him. “Your entrance through the doors was the first time they’ve opened since you and master Brokk left.”
Cole gazed around the hall before chuckling. “I love this place.”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Lexi wasin the middle of sparring with Brokk when the loud caw of a crow pierced the day. She stopped so abruptly that she never saw Brokk’s next move until he swept her feet out from under her and her ass hit the ground.
Despite having the air knocked out of her and an aching tailbone, she gazed hopefully at the sky as the crow soared toward them. Her hands flattened on the ground, her heart hammered, and her mouth went dry in anticipation.
But there was only one crow, and as it swooped toward Brokk, her hope shriveled. No one from the dark fae realm would write to tell her if Cole died, but theywouldsend a note to Brokk.
And Cole wouldn’t write to Brokk and not her, would he?
He was new to this whole relationship thing; he might not understand she was desperate to hear from him too. She had to believe that was what happened, and it wasn’t a notice of Cole’s death heading toward Brokk.
Or maybe a friend was sending a note to Brokk. Why was she instantly jumping to Cole? Brokk was a dark fae prince; of course, someone from the Gloaming would seek to communicate with him.
Then why was she still unable to breathe? She sucked in a breath as the crow landed on Brokk’s shoulder and released the note into his waiting hands. The bird flew off as another crow swooped out of the trees and soared toward her.
An unexpected sob escaped Lexi as the bird landed on her shoulder. Its beautiful black eyes surveyed her before it dropped the note in her hand and brushed its head against her cheek. The soothing caress caused a tear to slide down her face as she rubbed the bird’s head in unspoken thanks.
