“What greatness have the light fae achieved?” Varo asked.
“Is it not great to be a race who is at peace with ourselves and the realms? Is it not wondrous to worship nature and all the life surrounding us? Is it not strong to stand against so many, no matter the consequences?”
Lexi would never agree that this woman should have abandoned her child, but she had to agree with allthosethings. It was incredibly brave of the light fae to stay out of the war when they knew the decision would unleash the wrath of all the immortals on them.
The others must have agreed as none of them spoke.
“The Lord is out of control,” Cole said. “He’s completely lost his mind. He doesn’t care about how much money or loyalty anyone can give him. He’s going to come for the light fae too, and when he does, he’ll destroy Lumus. It’s not safe for anyone anymore.”
Elfie stared at the far wall as she replied. “I will return to the castle and speak with the ancients about this.”
“Do so soon. He’s unraveling fast.”
CHAPTERTHIRTY-THREE
“Is thereanything else you can tell me?” Lexi asked.
Cole hated the hope in her voice. All she sought were answers and to learn more about who she was, but they kept running into dead ends. Resting his hand on hers, he squeezed it as Elfie gave her a pitying stare.
“No, I’m sorry. I just know the arach are creatures of nature and animals,” Elfie said. “It’s what they thrive on.”
To Cole, that made perfect sense; he’d seen her in the moon room with all the luna flowers and vines surrounding her as she laughed and played. He’d watched how tender she was with the horses she cared for.
He didn’t know what that meant for her abilities, and they might never learn all the answers. At least they were unraveling some of them. And she was strong, powerful, andwouldrule Dragonia.
Maybe, once she was on the throne and in the home of her ancestors, they would discover answers to her questions and her powers would awaken further, but they had a war to win first.
“Thank you for speaking to us,” Lexi said to Elfie.
“I wish I could have done more.”
“We should go,” Cole said.
He nodded to the door, and Kaylia rose from the table. Varo stepped from the shadows half enveloping him; Cole didn’t know if his brother was aware of that or if he’d subconsciously been trying to hide.
“Alvaro,” Elfie called when he opened the door. “Please be careful.”
Varo didn’t reply before he left the house. Kaylia and Lexi followed him out the door, but Cole remained. There was something he had to make sure she understood.
“I hope I don’t have to tell you to keep this between us,” he said. “The Lord knows an arach still lives, there’s no hiding that anymore, but he doesn’t know she’s unaware of her full capabilities. She’ll make a good leader, Elfie, but she requires an army to get her there.”
“I won’t tell anyone what we discussed here. I protected her mother and grandmother, and I will protect her. In return, I need you to protect my son. I left him, but I still love him.”
“I have always protected Varo; even when he chose another side, I would have protected him. You should tell him what you just told me.”
He was about to leave when her voice stopped him. “Cole, if something happens to her, don’t become like your father. Don’t close yourself off like that. It’s no way to live.”
Cole buried his irritation over her insinuating something might happen to Lexi. She was trying to be kind, and he suspected she cared more about Varo than he’d ever realized.
“She’s my mate, Elfie.”
Her mouth parted on an “Oh.”
They both knew that meant there was no coming back for him.Nolycan recovered from the loss of their mate. The others had walked a few feet away from the tree when Cole closed the door and turned to face Elfie.
“What do you know about the Shadow Reaver?” he inquired.
Elfie frowned. “There’s not much to know. It’s an old legend, a story told to scare kids.”
