“My sister and I always collect debts,” Barbie chimed in, nodding at him before turning to me. “Sy, your new magic is awesome. Why don’t you use it and get us a round of drinks?”
So I did, just to cheer everyone up, especially Silas after his near-castration.
No man wants to lose his dick.
Chapter
Twenty
Sy
The war council in Killian’s penthouse had been circling the same arguments for three hours. Magical holographic maps floated above the first-rate kitchen—which Barbie kept frequenting—and over the sitting area, each marked with red dots where Shriekers had been spotted. The dots formed a disturbing, tightening noose around the academy.
The scouts, Cami, Rock, and the other heirs’ inner circles and generals had all joined us, crowding the expansive penthouse. Rowan hadn’t spoken in the last hour. He stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, watching the campus below, his reflection a ghost against the glass. His fingers curled into fists, unfurled, then clenched again. He wheeled from the window toward the other heirs, who bent over maps with their men, debating ambush points.
“We need the fae army,” Rowan said, his voice cutting through the chatter. “Without them, we’re down eight thousand warriors. I thought I could make my father see reason—thathe would put our differences aside for the realm's survival. I was willing to remain in exile if it meant avoiding a civil war. While I sought peace, he mobilized his assassins.” His silver eyes glowed, and the potted plants in the corner strained toward him, leaves rustling without a wind. “He would rather see the realm burn than send his soldiers to fight Ruin. I’m done asking nicely. I’ll take what we need for the war.”
Killian leaned back in his chair, shadows twining at his feet like loyal hounds. His stormy eyes brightened as Barbie entered from the kitchen, a trace of icing at the corner of her lips. She went to him, and he pulled her onto his lap, the very magic of the house curling around her in delight.
“Going to your kingdom is walking straight into your father’s trap,” the Chaos King stated.
“I’m not going to the royal court, his stronghold,” Rowan countered. “I am returning to my House here, on the academy grounds.”
“The fae king’s men will be waiting for you there, too,” Louis pointed out.
“Good,” Rowan said. “I’ll give our people a choice: follow a king who would let them die to spite his son, or follow a leader who will stand between them and annihilation.”
My chest swelled with pride. Even stripped of his title and facing danger at every turn, Rowan commanded the room like the crown prince he was born to be.
“We’re coming with you,” Silas said, now fully dressed in a white shirt and sport trousers.
“No,” Rowan said. “This is a House affair.”
"House politics." Silas's lip curled. "The pack fights together or dies alone. That's the only politics I know."
“Rowan may need to do this alone to secure fae warriors’ support,” Cade reasoned.
“Compromise, then,” Killian said. “Rowan handles the House, and we secure the academy perimeter, stationed close enough that everyone knows: touch him, and they face the wrath of all five kingdoms.”
“Four kingdoms,” Rowan corrected, his voice flat. “I have no kingdom.”
“You have us, Rowan,” Louis said.
“And we say you’ll have a kingdom, brother,” Killian said.
The chaos king was never subtle.
I strolled to my man’s side, my hand finding his. His long fingers curled tightly around mine.
“Let’s do this,” I said.
Barbie slid from Killian’s lap. “I’ll go with Sy and Rowan to make sure it’s a fair fight.”
Killian’s body went rigid. “Little scorpion?—”
“Stop.” She cupped his face, not gently, dark flames flickering between her fingers—flames that would never harm him, just as his power could never hurt her. True mates and all. “This alpha male shit needs to cease and desist. I’m not made of glass, so don’t treat me like I am. I’m harder to kill than any of you here.”
“Stay close to them. Don’t wander off,” Killian ground out. “And if I feel you’re in distress, I’m coming in.” His eyes shifted to Rowan, hard and unyielding. “I won’t give a shit about fae house politics if my mate is in danger.”
