My ears twitch. Fee referring to Max as family has a nice ring to it.
“And what of the Woodland Kingdom? Will they be coming to aid us?”
Licking my lips, I shake my head. The crowd seems less enthusiastic now.
“Aoife is not a friend to us,” Max says. Her voice commands them, and they watch, enraptured. I’m with them. My mate is a damn sight. “She is the reason for the curse that plagued the Moorgate family. And as such, has been dealt with.”
Gesturing to Mal, she continues, “We have the only heir of the Woodland Kingdom on our side and he is an asset. But we will have to make do.”
“We will fight the Humans,” I add, nodding at a few lords. Men who I’ve known my entire life—men who chose me over Zelos. “We’ve fought them before when they come to our lands to steal our kind. We will fight them now. And win.”
The crowd cheers, praising my family for their help. As if we would leave them to perish.
I understand it. My father very rarely helped his people.
Once inside, I ignore the advisors and dismiss them immediately. I have no time with them. They served my father—they will not serve me. “I’ll make my own council.”
There’s outrage, of course. Centuries of being the ones with power, and these Fae don’t want to give it up. I don’t listen. Snapping my fingers at my siblings, I say, “You two. You’re my council. Along with Mal.”
They’re the only ones I trust.
Grabbing Max’s hand, I pull her toward my room. Half way there, Fee stops me, dodging in front, arms out wide.
“They’ve already moved you.”
To the royal chambers. Now that I’m king, I’ve been put into my father’s place.
I swallow thickly. “No, I’ll stay in my room.”
“Everything is gone,” she explains gently. “Your rooms are on the top floor.”
I don’t move. Going there fills me with such dread that my feet are rooted.
Zelos’ bed chambers were a place I actively avoided. Forget seeing him with a female from his harem, I never wanted to be nearhim. Coupled with the last few nights stuck in flashes of memories from my time with Aoife, royal bed chambers are not a place I want to be in.
Max squeezes my hand. “C’mon. I’ll join you.”
“Fee,” I call out as she pulls me away. “Bring Max’s things too. Everything from my room.”
My sister smiles, crossing her arms. It’s not ordinary. Most queens keep their own suite, but I’ve been without my mate far too many nights. I will not be without her now.
“It’s already done.”
It’s a slow walk to my father—tomynew room. My steps are sluggish, my lungs don’t quite take in enough air. Everything issuffocating and tight. With Max guiding me, I would’ve ignored everything and gone to my uncle’s old room.
My heart twists at the reminder. I always thought he would be my General, and then one day, retire to my council.
Bracing for the emotional impact, we enter the room and to my surprise it’s…different.
My father kept his space dark with lavishly decorated walls and pieces of furniture. Silver hung from every corner, and it felt sensual, decadent.
This room is stately. With dark walls, my art hangs proudly, my weapons from previous conquests hung with care. The fire blazes and candles are lit from every corner so my mate doesn’t fall to her death on the balcony. The sitting room is twice the size of my old one, with an office and more bookshelves through an entrance to the side.
Max sneaks a peek. Titles upon titles, all to her liking.This was Fee’s doing.
I push past, heading to the bedroom. It’s large, wide, with the balcony doors open to let in the red haze and soft scents of the parrot tulips my mother loved so much. Placing my hands on the banister, I inhale, stilling my thoughts.
It hasn’t been my mind in so long. The beast inside my soul corrupted it, used my body for his whims. Then when he was gone, Aoife’s magic invaded. Now, it’s mine again, and I can’t settle it. Everything runs around—all the plans, the thoughts, the needs weighing me down.
