“Interesting,” Four murmured.
Cole’s impatience was growing; they didn’t have time for this. “I can show you what I can do.”
Rika caught his meaning as her bronze skin paled and her eyes darted nervously to the shadows gathering in front of Lexi. Lexi rested her hand over the top of his but didn’t speak.
“We willnotlet what the Lord did to Drumbledon stand,” Ubo said. “He will not get away with destroying our home. The dwarves will not stand for such an insult against them.”
“Hear! Hear!” the dwarves cheered as they pounded their weapons on the ground.
“Is that your answer?” Cole inquired.
The council rose, and Skog stepped toward them. “It is. I will be going with you to the other realms. Where are we off to next?”
“You intend to comewithus?” Lexi blurted.
“We’ve heard the rumors, but I will see the two of you in action. I’ll also hear your battle plan. This is non-negotiable. We have to make sure you have a chance of winning before we risk losing any more of us. We will do whatever is best for our children.”
“Of course.” Before Cole could protest the decision, Lexi continued. “We will be happy to have you with us.”
“Who are we seeking to recruit next?” Skog asked.
Cole’s jaw clenched as Skog rested his battle-ax against his shoulder. They didnotneed a dwarf tromping through the realms with them; they had all the diplomatic skills of a craz on a rampage.
Skog’s brown skin crinkled around the edges of his mouth when he smiled grimly. “You truly require a dwarf’s help.”
Cole’s eyebrows shot up, and Lexi inquired, “Why is that?”
“Because an arach and the future ruler of Dragonia requires someone far smarter than a dark fae at her side. They only think with their little brains.”
Cole glowered at the dwarf, and Lexi laughed. Then, she smiled and squeezed his hand.
“It’s not so little,” she replied.
The dwarves broke into loud, hearty laughter as they pounded their weapons into the ground. Cole shook his head as Lexi beamed at him.
Skog held his arm out to her. “A sense of humor, something the dark fae and lycans are sorely lacking. As you can see by that one’s sour puss.”
Cole’s hands twitched, and when the shadows shifted around him, Skog blanched a little but still smiled at Lexi.
“We enjoy a good sense of humor around here, milady,” Skog said. “Come, and tell me where we’re off to next?”
Lexi grinned as she slid her arm into Skog’s. The smile on her facealmostmade Cole not want to choke the dwarf.
“Where to?” Lexi asked Cole.
“The berserkers.”
“Oh fuck, you’rereallyhard up for help,” Skog said while a murmur ran through the rest of the dwarves.
“Let’s go,” Cole said.
He rested his hand on Lexi’s hip and opened a portal. The three of them entered it together.
CHAPTERFIFTY-SIX
Three days later,they finally entered the prison again. By the time they returned, Cole was on the verge of strangling Skog with his beard.
He was on edge and in a foul mood. They’d spent too much time traveling to realms already destroyed by the Lord and his dragons.
