“I’m afraid the dark fae will never see it that way.”
“The dark fae and light fae are one realm, divided only by magic. We are one world, one people.” Her footsteps echoed in the silent throne room as she moved closer. “And all of it ismine.”
He barked out a laugh, turning to Bree, of all people. Surely she did not believe this madness. “Something strange is happening to your friend. Power has made her delusional.”
“No, that would be you, Dagen. You’ve flown too close to the sun, and now you’re going to burn.” Her fists unclenched and claws lengthened from her curled fingers. Shock punched him in the gut, and he stumbled back. He saw the threat for what it was, and he’d even expected it. Even so, it took him by surprise. A part of him had hoped that Bree would come around. She’d see him as who he really was—the rightful ruler.
And now she would have to die for this.
“Guards!” he called out, his voice booming against the stone walls.
Bree came closer, her lips pressed together. “The guards aren’t going to answer, Dagen.”
He pressed his back against the throne and saw the truth for what it was. His hands itched for a sword, but he had none. If the guards were gone…he swallowed hard. There was nothing he could do against a Redcap.
“Bree, please,” he said in a hoarse voice. “You can’t do this.”
“I can and I will. Don’t worry. We aren’t going to kill you. Yet. You’re going straight to the dungeons.” She raised a clawed hand. “And if you do anything to try and escape, I will kill you.”
21
BREE
The demons were coming. Bree paced in the throne room while Rafe hunted for the keys to Taveon’s cell in Lord Dagen’s quarters. Eurig and Norah were with her, along with all four of Norah’s mates, some of Eurig’s closest friends from the outposts, and the council of Underworld. Some of the dark fae didn’t look too thrilled about the recent developments, but they hadn’t raised a hand against any of them. Yet.
The threat of the enemy was far more pressing.
“Lord Dagen overstepped,” Ethne said, fiddling with her braided hair. She frowned at Bree. “But that doesn’t change what our king is. Our people will be uneasy if she sits back on that throne.”
“Honestly.” Bree threw up her hands. “Don’t we have more important things to worry about besides Taveon’s ass on that chair?”
Eurig’s lips quirked. “You’re the only one thinking about his ass, Bree.”
Norah coughed, pressing her fingers to her lips in a failed attempt to hide her smile.
Ethne shot them both a look. “Now is not the time for jokes.”
“Oh, I wasn’t joking.” Eurig grinned.
Bree rolled her eyes. “There is a demon army on its way. It won’t be far behind us, which means it will be here any day now. We need to focus on that instead of on who is king.”
“The dark fae need a leader,” Lady Ethne countered, folding her arms. “Especially during a time of war. Taveon shouldn’t sit on that throne again, so we need to decide who will, even if it isn’t official. We certainly don’t have time for a full-blown coronation, but we need to have someone take charge.”
“And I suppose you think that should be you,” Bree said coolly. She had always liked Ethne. During her early weeks spent in the dark fae court, Bree had felt lost and alone, but Ethne had tried to help guide her. The last thing she wanted was to butt heads now, but she wouldn’t back down about this, even against a friend.
Ethne lifted her slim shoulders in a shrug. “I’ve been a part of this court for centuries. My father is a lord, and my grandfather before him. I’ve sat on this council for decades, too. I’m not sure who else there is. That said...I fear they wouldn’t even accept me. I’m a female.”
Bree nodded at Norah.
“Oh, please.” Ethne shook her head. “Queen Norah is fabulous, I’m sure, but she is a female light fae. Besides, Otherworld is accessible only through a Faerie Ring. She cannot rule both realms.”
“Yeah, that whole female thing,” Bree said with a scowl. “It needs to change. Women are perfectly capable of being good rulers. In fact, I daresay they’d be better a lot of the time.”
Footsteps tapped against the stone floor. Bree whirled toward the open throne room door and caught a glimpse of the male whose soul she’d felt walking toward her. His hands hung heavy by his sides and exhaustion tugged down at the corners of his eyes. But he smiled, beaming at Bree.
She exclaimed and rushed toward him, launching up into his arms. He lifted her from the floor and clutched her tight against his chest. She breathed him in, all his leather and steel. His cheek pressed against hers as her toes skimmed across the floor.
“You’re out of there,” she whispered. “You’re here.”
