Page 77 of Secrets of Ruin

As he ascended the front stairs to the dark fae palace, the doors swung open, but no one stood on the other side to greet them. Helots still worked within, but the palace had opened the doors for them, not another immortal.

The dark fae’s palace wasn’t as bright and airy as the arach one, and it held on to its many secrets. It was the only home he’d ever known, and he’d loved growing up here, but things had changed.

Now, his home was wherever Kaylia was, and, for now, that was Dragonia. However, the familiar sound of their footsteps rebounding off the walls brought back childhood memories as he ran through here, laughing with his friends and brothers.

Often, he’d walked this hall with his hand in his father’s as the king proudly told him the history of their land and the palace. Of course, he hadn’t known all the secrets of this palace, and no one ever would as there were rooms none of them had ever entered.

This place liked to keep its secrets guarded, but he knew every square inch of this strange, mystical home… or at least the spaces it allowed him to enter.

When they entered the great hall, the doors closed behind them. Elvin, the only dark fae Cole had allowed to remain on the council, sat at the table already. The candle’s flames played off his black hair and dark skin as he flipped through the papers before him.

The Gloaming was a realm where the most powerful dark fae families were allowed a say in the king’s actions, and if one of them fell, a relative would fill their seat. Considering that most of the last council had tried to undermine or kill Cole, he’d decided to bar any of their surviving relatives from sitting on it and formed a new one.

Presently, only those he trusted most sat on the reassembled council. Elvin, Brokk, Varo, and Orin made up the new council… for now.

Cole had already promised Varo and Elvin that other members would sit here, but the new council would be elected to make sure the dark fae of the realm felt more represented at this table. If Cole decided they weren’t trustworthy, they would be removed.

Brokk didn’t think that would be an issue. Cole had more than proven he was fit to rule this land and the realms. The dark fae no longer saw him as a weak half-blood they could overthrow; they knew death awaited them if they tried.

While Varo sought to get off the council, Brokk and Orin would remain. Neither would go along with their brother’s decisions because he was the brother. Varo wouldn’t either, but he didn’t want a leadership role.

They all settled at the table to discuss the current events in the Gloaming. The crops in the recently replanted fields were coming in nicely, and until they were ready to harvest, Dragonia would continue to supply the dark fae with wheat and corn.

They’d secured a lot of livestock already. They were housed in the rebuilt barns, and they’d already implemented a breeding program.

Brokk tried not to fall asleep as Elvin shuffled through the numerous papers before him. So far, being on the dark fae council was one of the most boring experiences of his life, but it was an important role, and that’s why he’d chosen to stay on it in the future.

At least he told himself he was doing good as he stifled a yawn. Orin wasn’t so discrete about it as he stretched, glanced at the doors, tapped his fingers on the table, and shifted constantly.

A loud knock on the hall doors drew their attention to them. “Come in,” Cole commanded.

The head of a frenzied-looking helot poked around them. “I’m sorry to bother you, Milord, but your uncle is here. I told him you were in a meeting, but he insisted on seeing you now.”

Cole’s brow furrowed as he rose from his seat. Orin leapt up from his chair, and Brokk tensed before rising with Varo and Elvin.

Maverick rarely came to the Gloaming, and they’d spoken with him a few hours ago in Dragonia. Did something happen while we were gone?

CHAPTER SEVENTY-SIX

“Send him in,” Cole commanded, his voice sharper than normal.

The helot bowed and stepped out of the way as Maverick strode into the room. Six foot nine with broad shoulders and a powerful build, the alpha lycan showed no signs of the near-death experience he endured when thrown into a fire.

His dark, wavy brown hair had grown out to frame his broad face. Brokk saw no unease in Maverick’s chestnut brown eyes, but something had brought him here.

“I’m sorry to interrupt,” Maverick said as the helot shut the door. “But I didn’t think this should wait.”

“What is it?” Cole inquired.

“It’s for Brokk.”

Maverick strode over to him and slid a piece of paper into his hand before squeezing Brokk’s shoulder. “Be careful.”

Maverick released him and walked over to Cole. “Sorry to interrupt.”

“You’re always welcome here.”

“I’ll see you in Dragonia.”