Page 127 of The King is Dead
“Sit down and listen, all of you. Because I think you’ve opened a door that I wouldn’t have chosen, but may very well work for the ultimate good ofbothour peoples… if you can push your egos aside long enough to let me spell it out for you.”
47. Open Your Eyes
SOUNDTRACK: Ice Queen by Margo
~ MELEK ~
I’d beenfuriouswhen I found her injured and asleep. Ready to bite out the throat of my closest friend. I didn’t miss the sudden wariness emanating from Jann in response to Hever’s disgust when I was so attentive to her. But as she stood and faced us all down, pride and a grim sense of satisfaction rose in my chest.
“You should move ahead exactly as you’d planned—taking Melek and I with you,” she said airily.
I tensed and my brothers’ brows all shot up, except Hever, whose eyes glinted.
“I will get you safely through the Shadows of Shade. You take us both back to the Nephilim camp—where you tell them all that Melek holds me as a prize. Reveal my position as Queen and say that once he has the Nephilim aligned and behind him, he will take my land as well.”
I looked at her, worried—was she thinking clearly? She wanted to make her people think I’d stolen her?
“If you do this, it gives Melek a reason to continue to keep me physically close and safe—a reason that your people will accept. Just as they did when we were in Gault’s camp. And that in turn will lower suspicion—opening the door for me to both spy and assassinate as needed.”
I stiffened, instinctively shaking my head. “Yilan, I’m not putting you—”
“It’s perfect, Melek,” she said calmly. “They will see you as the conquering hero, returned to them with a prize. It will strengthen your position for taking the throne—and they’ll be arrogant towards me. Not to mention, distracted by their own conflicts. I spentmonthswith you, and even you didn’t know I roamed the camp in the darkness. I can listen for you, find out where the pockets of resistance lay, and inform you. I will identify the threats while they are still planning and let you reveal their treason to them. You will know theimpossible.They will see you as a mythical figure who is somehow everywhere at once. But because I will be the one doing the work, you will be free to use all your time and energy in your campaign for dominance. I will inform—and assassinate as needed. You will dominate andwin.”
“But, the risk—”
“I am skilled and bold. Use me.”
God, my cock twitched at the pride in her. She wasmagnificent.Andsowilling to put herself in danger, my heart threatened to stop in my chest.
“Then, when you have the Nephilim secure, when you wear the crown and they bow before you, then we form a treaty. No war. No battle, even. You will save your people, and I will save mine.Ourpeople will be safe. And you will rule as you should.”
I sucked in a breath at the picture she painted—my mate, so sure. So confident in my ability to walk this tightrope. To bring the Nephilim with me.
And she was right. I could. At least, I believed myself capable of it. And yet… God, as much as I longed to grasp her vision, to work with her in this subterfuge… it wassorisky.
I took a deep breath. “And Turo?” I asked her quietly.
“What about him?”
“If you’re taken, he will bring the Shadekin against the Nephilim before I can have the Nephilim securely in my grasp.”
Which was when my mate planted a fist on her hip and tipped her head. “No, he won’t, because he’s going to be in on this plan from the start. Did you think I meant for you tostealme away?”
She left the wordfool,unspoken. But my pride felt it. I gave her a flat look, but she only smiled.
“This is…” Jann was frowning at the dirt, shaking his head. “This could work.” He raised his head then, meeting my eyes, intensity burning in his gaze. “Can she truly be trusted?”
“Of course I can!” she spat.
But I raised a hand to soothe her and held Jann’s eyes. “Yes, she can,” I said quickly. “She is clever, and strong, and unafraid to put herself at risk for those she loves. And she loves me.” She humphed, but I wasn’t done. “Perhaps more importantly, if you truly believe I am your King, that makes her your Queen. And if you couldn’t trust your own Queen, you have much bigger problems.”
Jann turned to her, scratching his chin, staring at her like he would a beast he was considering for purchase.
Yilan arched one brow at him, clearly unimpressed. I was about to tell him to stand down, but she sent a jolt of caution through the bond and addressed him herself.
“Say what’s on your mind,” she said quietly. “This will only work if we are all committed and certain of each other. So, speak it.”
Jann’s jaw rolled. “You killed Gault, stole Melek, and now want to walk back among our brothers and—”
