“Not until he talks,” Orin replied.
“Talks aboutwhat?” Lexi exploded.
“Andi,” Del said kindly, calling her by the childhood nickname he’d given her. It worked at defusing her a little as her shoulders softened and tears filled her eyes again. “It’s okay.”
“See, he’s perfectly fine with being chained. Stop making such a big deal about it,” Orin said flippantly.
“Watch it,” Cole warned.
For a second, Orin maintained his air of aloof indifference, but he wilted a little beneath Cole’s glare.
“Let the man speak,” Orin said with a little less bravado.
“Not in front of you,” Del said.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Orin retorted. “I brought you here to hear what you have to say, and Iwillhear it.”
“Not if I decide that you won’t,” Cole told him.
Orin’s eyes flashed with fury when they met his, and the set of his brother’s jaw told him he would fight over this. Cole was still weak from his wounds, but he would tear Orin apart.
Chapter Thirty-One
When Orin steppedfrom the shadows, Lexi lurched forward, and Cole grasped her arm to keep her from getting too close to Orin again.
“No!” she shouted. “There will benofighting!”
Cole’s hand tightened on her arm. “Lexi—”
Her eyes were full of fire when she spun on him. “Youare in no condition to fight right now, and if this is aboutme,then I will decide who gets to hear it.” She turned to her father. “This is mydecision to make. And as much as I’m beginning to loathehim—” She thrust a finger at Orin. “—he is an ally in this.”
“He also has no qualms about using anything andanyoneto achieve his goal,” Del said. “I won’t have that be you.”
“It’s too late for that,” Lexi said. “If it comes to it, and we decide it’s better he didn’t hear what you have to say, then we’ll kill him before he leaves here.”
Her father’s eyebrows shot up, and Cole chuckled while Orin did a double take at her declaration.
“It seems Kitten is becoming a tiger,” Orin murmured.
“Shut up,” Cole told him.
“Tell us what it is that you have to tell us,” Lexi said to her dad.
“Did you teach her to fight?” Del asked Cole.
“Brokk did,” Cole answered, “while I was going through the trials.”
“Your father is dead,” Del stated.
“He is.”
Del released a small breath. “That one—” He waved a hand at Orin. “—said you were now king of the dark fae, but I wasn’t sure what to believe from him.”
“I do not lie,” Orin said.
When they all shot him an irritated look, he shrugged. “I may embellish, but I don’t lie. Well, not unless it benefits me.”
Deciding to ignore Orin, Del focused on Cole. “I’m sorry to hear about King Tove. Your father was a good man.”
