“We're talking about Lady Riley's stay with us when she was trying to escape you.” Caleb narrowed his eyes at Drostan. “She was trying to get back to Prince Trenton while simultaneously hiding from you. We sheltered her and asked her to stay with us, but she snuck away.”
“You could come back,” Jack offered eagerly. “We miss you, Riley.”
“I don't think I like the way you're speaking to my consort,” Drostan said as his hand started to fill with sparking, oily mist.
The Cu-sidhe started to growl, and some of them shifted into enormous black dogs.
“Stop it!” I shouted, and all of them froze. “What are your grievances, Caleb?”
“They are not only ours, Riley,” Caleb's voice had gone even lower; into a gravely growl. “Most of the Unseelie races are unhappy with King Drostan's rule.”
“What the fuck have I done that's so horrible?” Drostan huffed as he kept the dark magic ready.
“You've ignored us, Your Majesty,” Rath said. “You lounge in your castle, fucking your consort all day, and never visit the villages unless absolutely necessary.”
“Like with the Goblins,” Ruin muttered.
“I assume that any issues will be brought to my attention,” Drostan said.
“We have brought things to you,” Caleb countered. “But we aren't even permitted an audience.”
“What nonsense is this?” Drostan rolled his eyes. “I never turn away representatives of the races.”
The Cu-sidhe frowned at each other uneasily.
“We were turned away five times before we gave up,” Caleb said. “The Trolls only tried thrice, but the Leanan-sidhe have made over twenty attempts to contact you—this month alone. They are more optimistic than we are. In fact, most of the Unseelie have given up on you, Your Majesty. We think of you as an apathetic king.”
“That is a lie!” Drostan roared and leapt off the horse. He was so angry that he didn't bother to straighten his pants, but stood with his spent cock draping out of them. “I love my people, and I have always done everything within my power to see to their happiness and well-being.”
“Then you have been betrayed, King Drostan,” Caleb said with a thoughtful frown. “Someone is keeping you from us, and it has hurt your rule.”
Drostan went quiet and pensive; absently tucking his cock away. I slid off the horse and went to stand beside him. I took his hand supportively, and he looked over at me in surprise. I gave his hand a squeeze to let him know that not everyone was against him. His gaze softened on me—brightening from indigo to sapphire—but I turned away from it to face Caleb.
“You have his attention now, Caleb,” I said gently. “And I can testify on his behalf. Drostan may have his faults, but he does care for the Unseelie. He will listen to you and do his best to help you.”
“If you feel this way, then why did you run from him?” Caleb asked.
“Being a king and being a lover are two different things,” I said. “I had personal issues with Drostan, but we've worked through them, and I know that you can work through your issues with him too. Just give him a chance to show you the king he can be.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Drostan roughly swallow, and his hand clenched on mine.
“I had no intention of ignoring any of my people,” Drostan said earnestly. “I'm sorry that your cries went unheard, and I promise you that I shall find the culprit behind this injustice and rectify this matter as soon as I return to Castle Unseelie. But right now, I'd like to hear why you sought me out. Tell me what has made you so unhappy.”
The Cu-sidhe shifted back into human forms; even their paws went back to normal hands. Caleb nodded to the others and then to Drostan.
“All right, Your Majesty,” Caleb said. “Let's talk.”
Chapter Forty-Two
Hours later, Drostan had heard all of the Cu-sidhe problems and worked out ways to assist them. The Cu-sidhe were overjoyed, though there was an awkward moment between the five brothers and me as Drostan and I were led back to his waiting horse.
“We do miss you,” Caleb said to me.
Drostan narrowed his eyes at the Cu-sidhe.
“No offense meant, Your Majesty,” Caleb added. “You can't fault us for caring about your consort, can you? She's a rare woman.”
“That she is,” Drostan murmured. “All right; make your goodbyes, but do so knowing that they are final.”
