Lysander’s clan shifted behind him, their faces changing from focused and supportive to uncertain as they began murmuring to one another.
“Our king was recently slain in battle. The battle was part of a war that is not over, as our enemy is still out there,” Lilly persisted. “You, sir, are seeking to divide our people when we need to be united. You are challenging the will of your king, when I have previously demonstrated that he has given me his power. You knew this, as you felt the transfer of his power at the time of his death. You heard his words ripple through the bonds of his leadership. And still you stand before me, my warriors, and your clan, and you dare to claim that what your king decreed is for another. Tell me, Lysander, did you ever consider him your king to begin with, or have you all these years simply been playing make-believe, biding your time until an opportunity came when you thought you could take something that hasneverbeen yours for the taking?”
Lysander’s face twisted into a look of pure hatred as he glared at her. His yellow eyes glowed with rage, and his hands shook at his sides. Apparently, she’d hit some nerves.
“How dare you?” Lysander snarled.
“How dare you—your highness,” Lilly corrected. “Continue,” she said as she closed the book and held it out to Peri. She had no clue what the high fae would do with it, but Lilly needed both of her hands free.
“You aren’t just a new bloodline,” he spat. “You’re not even a damn warlock. You’re an orphan sprite who didn’t even grow up in our world. You have no idea what it means to lead a race of supernatural people, and you sure as hell do not know how to prepare us for war with the likes of the Order of the Burning Claw.”
The way he said the Order’s official name, with a sound of awe in his voice, disgusted Lilly. There was no awe owed to a group of murdering, egomaniacs who were willing to kill anyone who stood in their way.
He started to take a step toward her, but Lilly shot her hand out, letting a bolt of power land just in front of his toe. “Do not take another step,” she warned as she felt her power crackle in the surrounding air. “You say I have no idea how to prepare us for war, yet you consort with the Order behind our backs? Is that howyouprepare for war?”
“Negotiating with your opponent can prevent loss of lives …highness.” He spoke her title as if it were a disgusting taste in his mouth.
“You’re attempting to negotiate with the very people who cut your king’s head from his body,” Lilly said through clenched teeth. The images of Cypher’s falling form filled her mind, and she had to lock her knees to keep her legs steady beneath her. She felt Cypher’s hand pressing firmly against her back, a reminder he was there even though she could not see him. She imagined it was so she wouldn’t accidentally look up at him and appear a little crazy.
“Would you rather more of us ended up headless?” Lysander challenged. “Is that to be the legacy of your rule, Lilly of the sprites?”
“It is Queen Lilly to you, sir, of the warlocks, and you would do well to remember your place.” Lilly fumed. She wouldn’t be surprised if there was actual steam rising from her skin. “My legacy has not yet been decided, but I can tell you this.” She started to take a step forward but felt something hold her back.Perizada. It was a reminder she wasn’t supposed to move. Lilly shifted back. “It will not include consorting with those who wish to subjugate those weaker than themselves. I will not leave a legacy behind me that would see the warlock people kneeling to the likes of traitors like Ludcarab, Alston, or Cain. I will not expect my people to bow to anyone, especially those who would ask them to hurt innocents. I will not allow you to lie to them and make them think your interests are anything less evil than that of the Order’s.”
“You’re accusing me of treason, my queen. I’m a leader of one of your clans. That’s a very serious accusation. Do you have any proof of this claim?” He crossed his arms in front of his chest, a smug smile spread across his lecherous face.
“As ambassador for the Great Luna…” Peri spoke up. She turned to Lilly. “May I speak, your highness?”
“The floor is yours,” Lilly said, motioning with her hand before her.
Peri inclined her head and then turned back to Lysander. “As ambassador for the Great Luna,” she began again, “and an acting enforcer of the supernatural races, I bring information concerning the accusation to the queen.” Peri held up her hands and light flew from them. Suddenly the air was filled with small, wing-flapping beings. Pixies, at least fifty or more. They were frozen where they flew, unable to move except for their heads, which were swinging around wildly trying to figure out why they were petrified. “Hello, King Ainsel of the pixies,” Peri said to the figure hovering beside Lysander.
Lysander’s eyes were no longer calm, and the smug smile fell. He looked to his right where the king of the pixies was frozen in the air. The clan leader took a step to the left as if attempting to distance himself.
“Would you like to confess and perhaps lighten the sentence you will face?” Peri asked the pixie king. “Or should we simply ask the djinn historian to confirm what we”—she motioned to Lilly beside her—“already know.” Lilly knew Peri hadn’t forgotten that Thadrick probably didn’t know crap at the moment, but the pixie king hopefully wasn’t aware of this. It would work in their favor if he believed Thadrick could confirm the accusations.
“Whatever he says will be a lie,” Lysander said. He tried to take an additional step away from Ainsel, but Lilly sent out another bolt of lightning, stopping him in his tracks.
“Ainsel?” Peri sounded very bored. “You’re already in enough trouble as it is.”
The pixie king sighed. “I really do despise you.” Hate filled his eyes.
“I’m sad,” Peri said dryly. “Really. I care so deeply what you think of me. I’ll need counseling after this, I’m sure. I’m sorry to see our friendship end, but seeing as how I do not endeavor to befriend those who are murdering, lying cowards, I just don’t think we can mend this relationship.” The high fae paused, and her lips turned up into a sinister smile. “Your confession, now.”
Wow! Note to self: do not get on Peri’s bad side.
“Lysander asked if I would help him overthrow the warlock queen,” Ainsel said. His voice held no inflection, as if what he was saying meant nothing at all. “I agreed. In return, he promised the warlocks would stand with the Order when the time came.”
Suddenly, the warlock warriors pulled their swords in one fluid motion, sending a harmonious ring throughout the forest. Gerick held up his hand in a fist, and the warriors stilled, blades at the ready.
“You cannot let him live,” Cypher’s voice came from beside her, though his physical form was still not visible. “Andyoumust be the one to kill him. Provoke him to attack you.”
Lilly narrowed her eyes on the clan leader, who was trying hard to look outraged at the pixie king’s accusations. “So this is the legacyyouwould leave if you were king?” she asked him.
Lysander’s head whipped around to her. She watched as his hands lit up bright green with power. She was proud to find she wasn’t afraid. “I offer my people strength. You offer them more bloodshed, and at what cost? To protect humans who would see us dead the minute they find out what we are?”
“You cannot predict the future,” Lilly said, letting her hands fill with her own power. Bolts of electricity ran through them and danced in her palms. “You have no idea how the humans would reactifwe ever revealed ourselves to them. Regardless, you cannot decide their fate based on what you think might happen. You would see them bow at your feet or be slaughtered like cattle. That does not make you powerful, Lysander. It makes you a tyrant. Tyrant’s care nothing for those they lead. They only care for power and gaining more of it.”
“YOU KNOW NOTHING OF WHAT I CARE FOR,” he bellowed at her, spittle flying from his lips. “These are my people! Mine! Not yours!” He moved forward and she let him, holding out her hand to Gerick to let him know not to act. “Cypher took you as his queen because he was lonely. He was weak. You were never worthy to rule at his side, and you sure as hell aren’t worthy to rule without him.”
