I’d seen them all.
Someone was helping them. I was sure of it. The humans were too cowardly and meek to do this on their own. They had never been organized, never been able to stand against us in any meaningful way.
I refused to let them do so now.
The Dusk crown was only the first step in my plans, and no pathetic human would stop my rise, nor my revenge.
“Make sure this is cleaned up. Like it never happened,” I instructed Kesshuu, nodding to the mess before us. I paused then, considering. “How much did they get?”
Kesshuu looked down, shamefaced. “Two wagons’ worth.”
Lightning struck the ground, making him flinch. I couldn’t help it. My magic erupted without my say-so more often now, but it was little to fret about in the grand scheme of things.
“Find it,” I growled, shaking my head as I turned from the mess, stalking away. “I want all of it back. And every human or Fae responsible in chains.”
“Of course, my King.” He nodded eagerly, and I let my wings unfurl and take me into the sky.
I spent the entire flight fuming, but upon my arrival at the palace, I was excited to see the scores of soldiers in charcoal and red.
Finally, some good news.
“King Tariq,” I greeted as I landed before him.
“King Cyrus,” he replied somberly, giving me a deep nod. “I was incredibly sorry to hear about your father. He was a great friend for many years. How has your mother been managing?” I raised my brow. “And you and your siblings, of course!” He rushed to add.
I’d watched him flirt with my mother in front of my father for years, always claiming it to be teasing among friends. But the moment my father was gone, here he was, narrowing right in on my mother.
I also noticed Queen Oriana had been left at home.
Interesting.
“We’re all managing quite well,” I answered, smiling. “My plans will see Dusk, and Dawn, of course, reach a new age of prosperity.”
“Ah, yes. I’ve heard much about these plans, but little of any substance yet,” he responded, with a skeptical tone that grated on my nerves. But I’d been dealing with Aelius thus far; I could deal with this nuisance, too. Especially if my mother played her part correctly, and she’d never once let me down.
“Well then, allow me to fill you in on how we will take power into our own hands, and out of the gods,” I smirked, his brows flying upward.
“That is quite the claim,” he said, surprised, as I led him into the palace.
“It is quite the feat,” I told him proudly. “For too long, the gods have controlled the power we are allowed. Taking ours and trying to minimize us the moment we don’t play to their silly rules.”
“And you have a way around this? To maintain our fading power?” he asked, his voice hushed as his eyes glanced around the hall. Making sure no one could hear him admit to the fading power of Dawn’s king.
“I do,” I confirmed, smiling widely. His answering smile was accompanied by a slap on the back.
“Well then, I’m all ears, my boy!” While I didn’t appreciate being called boy, his cheerfulness at the discovery made up for it.
It was nice to see I wasn’t the only one who saw what a ridiculous ploy the gods' rules truly were. They thought they could control us, keep our behavior in line by dangling our powers before us like bait.
As I talked Tariq through my plans… well, the ones I would allow him to be aware of anyway, he jumped on board with little prodding. It was unfortunate that he would have to go. He seemed a reasonable man who could make a good ally in the future, too.
But sadly, for him anyway, there was room for only one king in Celesterra.
Six was just five too many.
Thankfully, it was an issue I had no problem fixing. My dreams showed me the greatness awaiting, and High King did have a nice ring to it.
* * *
