Shadows of Discovery by Brenda K. Davies

Chapter Forty-Seven

Cole staredout the window as the sun rose on the land he would take control of today. Some of the dark fae were already waking and slipping from their homes. They had fields to tend, children to chase, and a coronation to witness.

A contingent of soldiers was gathering in the bailey. They would be on duty during the coronation. He planned to keep things casual today, but he would be a fool not to have a guard present, and he wasn’t about to take any chances with Lexi’s life. Most of the soldiers would remain hidden.

Yesterday, nearly all the dark fae had come to say goodbye to their king. Cole expected the numbers to be almost as many today. They would all gather to watch while he stood on the stage he’d directed the helots to build outside the palace gates and claimed the crown his father once wore.

When anger started to build inside him, he turned away from the window and focused on Lexi as she sat on the bed. A tray loaded with oatmeal, strawberries, and milk was propped over her lap.

She’d done amazingly well yesterday. He was proud to have her as his mate and that others would see she’d chosen him. However, he was more proud of the strength and pride she exhibited yesterday, all while keeping her inner turmoil hidden.

All of this was going to be difficult for her, but she would adjust. Of that, he had no doubt. His queen would rule this realm with grace and dignity. And once he had the crown and ruled this realm, he would make her his queen.

He’d tucked his mother’s ring securely away in a dresser drawer. He was waiting for the right moment to ask Lexi to marry him. That moment wouldn’t be today, but it would happen soon.

Once she was his queen, she would be a target for his enemies, but she would also have him and a fae army to protect her. She wouldn’t give up her life in the human realm, but he would make sure she remained safe when she returned.

She buttered her toast and took a bite before looking up at him. “What time is the coronation?”

“It will start at two.”

Her gaze went from him to the window as the loud banging of a hammer pierced the day. They were still working on erecting the stage for the event.

“Are you ready?” she asked.

“No, but that doesn’t matter.”

“I suppose it doesn’t.”

“I should go down there to oversee things.”

She set aside the toast and wiped her hands on a napkin before moving the tray. She tossed aside the blankets and rose to walk over and join him.

When she encircled her arms around his waist, he hugged her close. He savored the love she so easily gave before a shout from below pulled him away.

“The helots will return with your dress before the coronation,” he said.

“Do you mind if I explore the palace a little? It’s a fascinating place.”

“Not at all. You’ll be safe inside here, but stay to the areas you know; it’s far too easy to get lost in this place, and it could take us days or weeks to find you again.”

She chuckled and brushed aside a strand of her hair. “I won’t venture too far.”

“I’ll return for you before the coronation starts.”

“I’ll be here or roaming around somewhere.”

Cole kissed the tip of her nose before turning and leaving. He strode into the sitting room and exited into the hallway. Descending the stairs, he stopped to knock on Brokk’s door and waited for his brother to answer.

Yesterday hadn’t been a good day for either of them, and today wasn’t going to be an easy one either. The previous kings who took the throne probably did so with a thrill of excitement; he would claim it with a knot of dread in his stomach.

Not only did he have the throne because his father was dead, but he had a lot to live up to when it came to his father’s legacy.

And he would make sure he succeeded in doing so.

* * *

Lexi was showeredand dressed in the clothes she brought with her when someone knocked on the outer door. She drank some of the birth control Sahira had given her and tucked it back into her bag.

Cole was also taking a form of birth control, but she was extremely careful about it. She was definitely not ready for babies. When a knock sounded again, she left the bedroom behind for the sitting room.

“Come in,” she called as she walked.

Amaris opened the door and poked her head inside. She smiled when she spotted Lexi and pushed the door further open to enter. Draped over her arm, the striking blue dress she carried was the same shade as Cole’s eyes.

Lexi gaped at the thick, satin-looking material that shone in the sun spilling through the windows. “Is that for me?”

“Yes.”

Amaris’s smile lit her black eyes. Today, she’d pulled her thick black hair into a braid that dangled over her shoulder. The brown dress she wore was slitted to midthigh on both sides.

“Do you like it?” Amaris asked.

“It’s beautiful, but it’s… it’s… too much.”

“Of course it’s not,” Amaris scoffed. “It’s a dress fit for a queen.”

“I’m not a queen.”

“Not yet, but you will be.”

Lexi couldn’t argue with that. Cole hadn’t formally proposed, but he’d made his intentions clear.

Closing her mouth, Lexi stared at the dress as Amaris laid it across one of the chairs. When the sun’s rays lit on it, they turned it a more spectacular shade of blue.

“I’ll return to help you dress in a couple of hours,” Amaris said. “I have some plans for your hair that I think will be lovely. It’s such a pretty shade.”

Lexi couldn’t stop herself from touching her hair. “Thank you,” she murmured. “Are you all alone today?”

“Yes. The others are helping to prepare for the coronation and the celebration to follow. We all miss King Tove; he was loved by many, but a coronation is a time of celebration, and after the war and now King Tove, we could all use some celebrating. Many are excited to see Lord Colburn take the throne; he is also loved by many here.”

“Even though he’s only half dark fae?”

“He led our side to victory during the war. I’m sure you’ve heard of his reputation in battle?”

“I have.”

“The dark fae respect power and might, and Lord Colburn possesses both. If he survived the trials, he is stronger than the many other dark fae who failed before him, and his dark fae side must be the more dominant of the two. That is enough for most.”

Lexi wasn’t sure she would agree with the dark fae being the more dominant part of Cole, but she wasn’t going to say that. Amaris was already saying many instead of all the dark fae when she talked about Cole and the fae. Lexi didn’t need to give the woman gossip to spread that could turn many into some.

“And what do they think of me?” she asked.

Amaris’s eyes darted away. “They don’t know much about you.”

But that’s not stopping them from talking about me.

Lexi didn’t ask her for more information. The topic clearly made her uncomfortable, and she doubted Amaris would reveal what the fae were saying about her.

“I was going to explore the palace for a bit; Cole said it would be okay,” Lexi said.

“If you’d like, I have some time and can join you for a bit.”

Lexi couldn’t stop herself from beaming at the offer. “I’d like that very much.”