Shadows of Discovery by Brenda K. Davies
Chapter Two
“Cole.”
Brokk reached for his arm but hesitated when he saw the bite mark from the dragon and the blood coating him so thickly. His brother lowered his hand without touching him.
“The fae council is going to descend on this palace as soon as they learn of Father’s death,” Brokk said.
“I know.”
“They won’t want either of us to rule. We’re only half-breeds.”
“They’re not going to have a choice.”
“Great. Fantastic. Glad to hear you say that because I’d really like to kill the Lord, but if you’re not here when the council arrives, then what? I don’t plan to throw myself in the ring as a contender for the throne as I want nothing to do with ruling the Gloaming.”
“I know.”
“You never wanted to rule it either.”
“I still don’t.”
“Then—”
“I don’t have a choice. I am going to rule, because if I don’t, the Lord is going to destroy us all,” Cole interrupted. “I will rule because I’m going to kill that prick if it’s the last thing I do. But I have to see Lexi first.”
“Cole—”
When Cole spun on him, Brokk stopped speaking and took a startled step back. “She’s my mate, Brokk, and I’m going to see her. I have to make sure she’s safe. If the council arrives before I return, then you’ll have to stall them. I don’t care how you do it. Just do it.”
Brokk gawked at him, and this time when Cole walked away from him, it was a few seconds before his brother scrambled to catch up again.
“Your mate as in your lycan mate?” Brokk demanded when he arrived at Cole’s side once more.
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you say something? I could have checked on her.”
“I wasn’t expecting to be gone for so long.” Or to come back soaked in his father’s blood. “I didn’t expect any of this.”
He’d also never expected to watch his father die, to endure the trials, rule the Gloaming, or have the Lord breathing down his neck about his rebellious brothers. He certainly never thought he’d be leaving Lexi for nearly two weeks when he walked away from her manor.
Because of his dark fae nature, she probably believed he’d abandoned her; she had every right to think that, but he would make sure she learned the truth soon. And he had to see her before he started the trials.
He had no idea how much time the trials would take, and he would never get through them if he were concerned about her. There was also no way he would let her keep thinking he’d used and abandoned her.
“Why didn’t you tell me she was your mate?” Brokk demanded.
“I wasn’t ready.”
Brokk didn’t speak again as Cole continued toward his rooms. He hated the silence that descended because it allowed the memories to bubble forth. His father had taken great pride in walking these halls and ruling over this land.
With every corner Cole turned, he expected to find his father gliding toward him. A smile would brighten his face the second he saw Cole; then his arms would open for a quick embrace.
Tove, king of the dark fae, was a ruler who did not tolerate disobedience. To his sons, he was a man who loved them deeply, and they loved him in return.
Cole fingered the wedding rings his father gave him before everything went to shit. The rings once belonged to his father and mother, and he hoped one day, Lexi would wear his mother’s.
But that was an obstacle for a later time. Now, Cole had to make sure she was safe before returning here to endure the trials and take control of the Gloaming.
He sneered at the reminder.
He’d never believed anything could happen to his father. His dad ruled these lands for over seven hundred years. He was the longest-reigning dark fae king, and in a moment… one lightning-fast moment, he was dead.
Cole shuddered as some of his grief crept back in, but he shoved it aside. He had no time to mourn.
He had trials to survive, a throne to ascend, and hell to unleash.