“I am aware, milord, but this is a special circumstance. I’m sure if you explain that to your dark fae wife before you marry, she will understand. Some women would be happy to have the throne, and status that comes with it. They would agree to a marriage in name only.”
“I am aware of that. I’m also aware Lexi is not one of those women.”
Elvin’s eyes darted away from him. “Milord—”
“I understand your priority is the Gloaming, and that is theonlyreason I’ve allowed this conversation to continue, but I will not hear any more of this, and I willnottalk about it again. Lexi is going to be my wife.Sheis the one who will be your future queen, and I can assure you, Elvin, no one deserves it more than her. We will not talk of this again.”
Elvin opened his mouth before closing it and bowing his head. “Of course, milord.”
“I do hope for your counsel on other matters in the future.”
“Of course.”
Cole grasped his shoulder and squeezed it to show he held no hard feelings; he hoped Elvin felt the same. “If you’ll excuse me, I must find my mate.”
He didn’t wait for Elvin’s reply before leaving the room.
Chapter Forty-Four
Cole was nearlyto the moon room when he spotted Niall standing in the doorway. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword while his attention remained on the moon room.
Hearing Cole’s approach, Niall turned toward him. Cole’s step faltered when he saw Niall’s parted mouth and the paleness of his friend’s skin.
Drawing his father’s sword from its sheath, he stalked forward, but even as he was moving, he knew there couldn’t be a threat. Niall would have gone after it if there was one.
Instead, he remained frozen in the doorway as he seemed to try to decide if he should attack or not. Cole arrived at his side in mere seconds and froze in the doorway.
When Lexi laughed, Cole suddenly understood Niall’s uncertainty. Part of him wanted to hack his way through the wall of green vines and colorful flowers encircling her. The other part was so riveted in amazement that he barely breathed.
He’d been with the council for so long that night had fallen. The four moons of the Gloaming were out, and the luna flowers…
Well, the luna flowers were in love. They’d always reacted to her, but not likethis. The potion must be wearing off faster than they’d realized if the arach truly did possess sunandmoonmagic.
The luna flowers were lycan plants that reacted to the moonlight and lycans. But he’dneverseen anything like this.
After his mother died, these flowers encased him in a warm, protective cocoon, but they’d never played with him like this. He originally believed the flowers reacted to her because they somehow knew she was his mate before he did, but now he thought they responded to her because she was an arach.
She was a powerful, beautiful, vibrant being who exuded life, and these plants loved her for it.
When her hand rose out of the center of the vines, the moonlight filling the room spilled across her sun-kissed skin before the vines enveloped it.
“I… I didn’t know what to do,” Niall said. “I’ve never seen anything like this, and she’slaughing,so I… I just….” His voice trailed off when Lexi laughed again. “What is going on?”
“The luna flowers like her.”
“No shit,” Niall snorted.
“Lexi!” Cole called.
The vines and flowers shifted, and Lexi’s flushed face popped out from between them. Despite the radiant smile on her face, his heart slammed against his ribs. She was so beautiful, soalive, and soon, so many would want her dead.
Hehadto be enough to protect her.
“Hey,” she said breathlessly.
The vines and flowers started to unravel as she slipped out from between them. They followed her across the room as she practically skipped over to him. When she stopped before him, a couple of the vines brushed his arms as he hugged her.
Cradling her against his chest, he watched as the flowers turned their faces to the moonlight streaming into the room. His hand slid up her back and into her hair; he ran the silken strands through his fingers as he pondered how much time they’d have before he would have to keep her sheltered.
