Page 109 of Queen of Thorns
I blink rapidly. He parted us. Imprisoned me and told her to leave me behind. She thought that was her test. But she refused. She came back to me.
“Offering your life or not, if you were willing to abandon your mate, you are not the kind of fae I would align with. Your choice is not the issue. Just like my mate should have spoken up about her beliefs and needs before or during our final council.” The king’s voice dips low, sadness seeping into the sound. “It doesn’t matter if you disagree. You should always communicate and compromise. I wish my mate had learned that lesson. Maybe she was right that I wouldn’t have listened. That is my own fault. But... well, you chose correctly, Caelynn. I would be proud to have you as a mate also. And I am proud to have you two as allies.”
Caelynn
Rev calls an emergencycouncil meeting, which was quite easy considering all the council members were still in the palace. A few of them have had a bit too much to drink, but this is still a better option than announcing our plans to the entire ballroom.
“What is happening, Zanterleisha?” the Luminescent King asks, eyes hooded.
“We’re going into battle,” Rev announces from his seat beside the queen.
Everyone in the room freezes. I approach the table, my black blouse now ripped, one of the strips flowing behind me.
All of the ruling kings and queens from the entire realm turn their attention to me.
“Against whom?” the Whirling King asks, teeth exposed in an ugly grimace.
“The Night Ancients.”
“What do you mean?” High Queen stands, her red nails gleaming as she grips the edge of the table.
“We have the weapon we need.”
“What weapon?” she asks, leaning forward. Her eyes narrow in on me. “Tell me you did the forbidden and I will—”
“Do what you must, Zanterleisha,” Rev says, arms crossed. “Caelynn and I will do what we must.”
My brows furrow. I hadn’t realized the queen had forbidden him from approaching the Light King. Is that what they were talking about while Drake antagonized me?
The other kings and queens glance at each other, confusion clear in their expression.
“We don’t require your help,” Rev says. “We will finish this war with or without you.”
Kari marches from the edge of the room. She’s only occasionally allowed in council meetings as an apprentice to her mother. I suspect today was not one of those days. “I will stand with you. In whichever way you need. Even if it means defending the Shadow Court.”
Gasps resound through the room.
