The other members weren’t thrilled with hisdecision, but he didn’t care. After the trials and the rebellion,he was not in the mood to kowtow and especially not to thesepampered pricks who’d never fought a battle in their lives.
And especially not to Alston, who pushed hisson into the trials when he had to know his boy stood no chance ofsurviving. But Alston had wanted the throne, just not bad enough torisk his own ass.
Alston never would have survived the trialseither, but he’d had a better chance than his son. Cole hadn’tforgotten that detail about this man. Not only did it make him nottrust the coward, but he still intended to make him pay for it.
The dark fae at this table were born intowealth and power in this realm. When their ancestors passed, theyinherited their money, lands, and place at this table. The only onewho had proven he deserved a place here was Elvin, but even he’dnever been in a battle.
Elvin cared deeply about the realm, which wasmore than he could say for the other three. They relished theirpower and wealth but didn’t give a shit about the dark fae whoresided in the Gloaming… unless those fae could somehow increasetheirpower.
Cole strode across the floor, pulled out hischair, and sat while the others remained standing. Brokk settled inbeside him. Cole studied the council as he leaned back and claspedhis hands on his stomach.
He kept his impatience to have this overhidden from them. Alston, Finn, and Becca would attempt to drag itout for a week if they suspected how badly he wanted out of thisroom and away from them.
Every night, he went to the Gloaming because,as king, he had a responsibility to this realm, but he was anxiousto return to Lexi. She was safe with the others. They would keepher safe, but he still hated being separated from her, especiallywhen Malakai was out there and when the Lord would happily see herdead.
She’d made progress today. Many would see itas small progress, but after the way she’d struggled for the pasttwo weeks, he viewed it as a huge leap forward. And given herdetermination to learn and do this, she would have it masteredsoon.
“Where have you been?” Becca demanded.
Cole’s attention shifted to the beautifuldark fae whose black hair hung to her chin. Her almond-shaped,black eyes narrowed on Cole as a smile played across her lips. Shewas gorgeous, she knew it, and he felt as much for her as amushroom.
“It’s in no wayanyof your businesswhat I do or where I go,” Cole replied.
“The Gloaming is in ruins, and you are outgallivanting around with—”
Cole’s nonchalant attitude vanished as heslammed his hand on the table before she could say somethingderogatory about Lexi. Its sound reverberated throughout the grandhall and bounced off the walls until it faded away. Until then, noone spoke, and he was sure Becca didn’t breathe.
Along the walls, the shadows created by theflickering torches in their sconces twisted and turned toward them.Some slithered toward Becca, who stared defiantly back at him, butshe couldn’t hide the apprehension in her eyes.
Beside him, Brokk stiffened as the shadowscrept toward Becca. None of the others had noticed their insidiousmovements yet, but his brother had.
CHAPTER 22
“I am yourking,” Cole said. “Donotspeak to me like that again, or you will regret it.”
Becca blanched as he contemplated tossing herinto the dungeon. She would do well with the rebels they imprisonedduring the rebellion and the ones caught afterward.
The bounties he’d placed on the rebels whofled the realm had proven successful in rounding them up. Therewere many eager to collect the reward money.
Because of that bounty, the head of hisguard, Niall, and some other guards managed to capture theremaining rebels. Cole was letting them all sweat it out in thedungeons before announcing their death sentences. He could notallow any traitor to walk free.
She may not have been part of the rebellion,but he had no problem adding Becca to the guest list for a week ortwo. Maybe then, she’d learn how to hold her tongue around him andLexi.
“Now,” he said as he kept his eyes on Becca.“Brokk and I are here because the council had business to discuss.So, what is it?”
Becca stared at him while the shadows creptcloser. They encompassed the bottom of her chair but went nofurther.
Cole smiled at the idea he could destroy herwithout moving from his chair. The power of those shadows and theknowledge of that thrummed through his veins as he stared atBecca.
Elvin cleared his throat before speaking.“The dragon has not returned to Underhill. Perhaps we should callback the troops you left there so they can help with rebuilding thehomes here.”
Cole finally tore his attention away fromBecca to Elvin. He pondered the man’s words as he studied his blackhair, eyes, and dark skin. Elvin was a handsome man, but Cole hadnever seen him at any of the establishments so many of the dark faefrequently visited for pleasure.
Elvin had tied his life to the Gloamingcenturies ago, but he had to have sexual partners. After all, hewas a dark fae, and they required sex and food to survive. Rumorswhispered that he had mistresses, but Elvin never brought them outin public.
“We’ll wait a few more days to be safe,” Colereplied. “We don’t need a dragon destroying Underhill after ourlands have burned.”
“Very well then.” Elvin licked his fingerbefore turning the first page of the stack of papers sitting beforehim. “We require more wood for the building.”
