Len had told me that there had been more than one house who’d argued in favor of cutting the line back during the initial meeting. This king was obviously one of the ones who’d believed that by cutting the line, they’d open up the power grid, and allow another to step in to restrengthen Faerie.
It was my fault that none of them had remembered me, or how my power and role here worked. I’d ensured that when I had to flee, so they’d just made their own assumptions in the many years I was missing. But in truth, no other could ever take the role I was created for. Not even now, with the power dispersed more freely across other gods. I chose to share my gifts with Len, as we were bonded, and Tabitha inherited it through birth—both technically Origin gods—but there was no other who could claim the same.
“She was gone for centuries,” Fredrick shouted. “No one in existence could even remember her. Faerie was weakened, which left no other option.”
Fernando sneered. “Be that as it may, it was not your choice to make. The vote was not accepted the first time, and we were due back for a second conference on it. You took matters into your own hands.” He looked around. “Well, you and Petre. Where is he?”
As if summoned, the doors opened once more and in marched another royal house. Or two, judging by the apparel and mix of colors. They filed into the final two spots, and it was clear that one belonged to Metallic Meadows, and the other was Ochre Sands, Petre’s house. But there was no sign of their leader.
“He’s fled,” a male fae at the head of the group said. “Took off through the night, and we believe has left Faerie.”
Len leaned into me again. “He would have had to use the library, and if I know my brothers they’ll have taken care of him in a flash.”
Of that, I had no doubt. Shadow and the merry band of assholes would not have let any fae prince walk through without question. They also knew that Petre was under Len’s suspicions.
“And then there was one,” I whispered, eyes locked on Fredrick.
He was watching me just as closely, even with Len’s rumbling predatory possessiveness rearing its head. Neither of us looked away, and I wondered if I had the power to strike him down from where I sat. I wouldn’t, not yet at least. I’d give the fae a chance to make the right decision, but if they didn’t, then I would make it for them.
I was a shifter with a family now, and if you threatened their existence, I would destroy yours.
“Petre will be dealt with in due course,” Glendriel said, taking over from Fernando. “For now, we focus on Fredrick and the Metallic Meadows. He’s here, and his royal line needs a conclusion.”
“We all need one,” Queen Gemma of Copper Straits said. “It’s time for Faerie to heal and come back stronger than ever.”
Agreement rang out around the room, along with small cheers and some clapping. And all the while, Fredrick stared me down like he wanted to rip my face off and suck the life from my body.Bring it on, fucker.I was mentally taunting him, because the new me was reborn with attitude, and I had zero fucks to give.
Len got to his feet and interrupted our stare-off by putting himself between me and the fae on the stage. “He broke our rules. He sent Faerie into a spiral of destruction that would have ended all of our lives,” my mate said, a rumble in his tone. “He almost killed my mate and daughter. I demand retribution.” He let out a low laugh, but there was no humor in that tone at all. “I will allow him to choose if he deals with me or Samantha, but he will face one of us.”
What a romantic mate I had. Nothing like a little murder to get the bond flowing between us. But seriously, I was very much into Len giving me the chance to fight my own battle, even knowing he’d be at my back no matter what happened.
“I could deal with both of you,” Fredrick shot back, his lips curling in a sneer. The disgust in his eyes, finally dripped across his expression, until he was sneering. “I don’t even believe you’re the Great Queen. You’re so fucking weak.”
“It’s decided, then,” Glendriel said suddenly, not that Fredrick looked away from me. “His punishment will be handled by the ones who he wronged the most. Any fae disagree?”
None on the stage said a word, and I felt the power of the Origin swell in my gut, until flickers of gold escaped my skin. On my feet, I handed Tabitha to Len. “I’ll take this one, Winter,” I said with a smile, my voice deeper as power filled me.
He took her and dropped a kiss on my cheek, and I moved toward the stage. With each step the power swelled, and it was soon so bright in this room that I doubted most could look upon me. I made sure Fredrick could, though.
That bastard deserved to see what was coming for him.
The sneer faded from his face as his eyes grew wider, and I took a moment to rifle through the many life forces of Faerie until I found his.
When I tugged on it, he gasped, swallowing hard. “You almost killed my daughter,” I said conversationally. “You almost took me away from my mate and pack. All through greed and the desire for more power. But why? You were a king, with all the power you’d ever need.”
“Were?” he rasped, visibly trembling now.
Ignoring him, I raised my voice. “Do any object? For I am not without mercy. Will any speak up for him.”
Not a single voice sounded in the silent room, and Fredrick finally tore his gaze from me to look toward the section of the room where his council and other members of his royal house sat. “How fucking dare you?” he snarled, struggling to get free from his bands.
Still, no one moved or spoke up, and I was done with this bullshit.
This motherfucker was keeping me from the rest of my life.
The cord in my mind snapped. A simple flick of power and his shouts died off mid-sentence. He slumped forward into the guard’s hold. They released him a moment later, letting the body fall against the grounds. “May the gods offer you mercy in the next life,” I said coldly, before releasing the energy I’d gathered, the golden light fading into my skin, as a calmer vibe returned to the room.
The silence extended for many seconds as the fae focused on the dead king. I could taste their fear on my tongue, and it bothered me less than I’d expected. Seriously, I’d never been their friend before, and I wasn’t about to start now. My role was larger in the scheme of their world, and this was a good warning to not mess with the balance.
