The problem was they had no proof it was heror anyone else. So, for now, that traitor would remain amongstthem, at least until the Lord had them killed or thrown in hisdungeon.
Stop it!she commanded herself.
If this all went wrong, shewouldgetthem out of there by opening a portal. No one would expect it, sono one would try to stop her, and as Cole said, it became easierevery time she did it.
She’d become a pro at opening them and coulddo so in mere seconds. They would escape Dragonia if things wentwrong.
Lexi played with her ring as she stared outthe window. She recalled how happy she was that day by thewaterfall. How ecstatic she was to one day become Cole’s wife.
He’d always talked about it, always stated itwas a given they would marry, but having the ring presented to herhad made it a reality.
Seeing that ring slide onto her finger hadbeen the happiest day of her life, especially after all thestruggles she’d gone through before then. And all the battles he’dgone through with the shadows and trying to keep the lycan atbay.
“Is everything okay?” Amaris asked when Lexisighed.
“Of course,” Lexi murmured.
“We’re almost done.”
Normally, Lexi would have been relieved tohear this. It meant she wouldn’t have to keep standing here, asstill as possible, while these women fussed over her. She’d neverbeen one for dresses, even though she loved how they felt when shewalked in them.
But now, she dreaded when they finishedbecause that meant they were one step closer to attending the ball.Her skin prickled as if a ghost had slipped inside her dress andpressed against her skin.
“Great,” Lexi said.
The confused look on Amaris’s face said shewasn’t completely buying it, but she returned to work.
CHAPTER 40
“Come with me,” Cole said to Niall as theyfinished working on the fae homes for the day.
The remaining homes should all be standingwithin the next few days. Cole hoped something didn’t destroy themas soon as they were completed.
Cole glanced at the palace in the distance inthe hopes of spotting his fiancée; then, he recalled that Lexi hadremained at the manor today. Now that they’d finished her dress,she planned to spend extra time training with Kaylia and theothers.
He hated that she continued to push herselfso hard, but he’d noticed Kaylia was tempering their training timetogether. She didn’t push Lexi but let her guide herself. And whenLexi tried too hard, Kaylia walked her back or ended theirsessions.
The crone must have come to the sameconclusion as him; Lexi pushing herself to a breaking point wasn’tgoing to do any of them any good. It would be best if his materealized that too.
As much as he hated to admit it, he wasstarting to like Kaylia. She was still cold toward Del, Brokk, andSahira, but she was good with Lexi, kind to her, and it was obviousshe’d come to care for her.
He didn’t fear she would do anything to putLexi at risk anymore. The woman was determined to take down theLord, but she also wanted to keep Lexi safe and alive.
Did he completely trust her?
No, but there were few he completely trusted.He had come to consider her an ally. Her knowledge, as well as herability to keep Lexi from pushing herself too much, was good forLexi.
Neither he nor Niall spoke as they rode backto the palace and dismounted by the steps. Cole led the way insideand up the stairs to his rooms.
He opened the door to his sitting room andstepped aside as he gestured for Niall to enter ahead of him. Whenhe did, Cole followed him inside and closed the door behindthem.
Cole waved a hand at one of the chairs in theroom. “Make yourself comfortable.”
He poured them some whiskey as Niall settledinto one of the chairs. Cole handed Niall his glass, and he walkedover to stand by one of the windows. As he gazed down at the nearlycompleted homes and healing land, he sipped his drink.
“The ball is tomorrow,” Cole said.
“I’m aware.”
