Page 180 of The King is Dead
Taking a deep breath, I raised my voice so it would be heard across the valley.
“I stand before you victorious,” I intoned. There was another rush of cheering and howling, but I quieted them again. “I standdominant. You have witnessed the challenge, and my triumph.”
I was weary.Soweary. I would have given anything to simply pick Yilan up and fly into the mountains. Find a cave or an abandoned hut and sleep, and make love, and ignore our responsibilities. But I knew this was only the beginning. Only thefirst step. I had to bring them with me, or none of this would make a difference.
“I stand before you and lay claim to the throne of the Nephilim. Do any further challengers remain? Any who would resist? I stand and say, give me your Crown. I will lead. I will strengthen you. I willbuildyou. As your King!”
A roar went up from the crowd and my heart rammed, pounding in my ears. It was happening.
“See me, Nephilim! See your King!”
There was a hubbub at first, a flurry of calls and roars. But then a chant began somewhere to the east… and in seconds it grew.
“The King is dead… Long live the King! The King is dead… Long live the King!”
Over and over, arms raised, voices hoarse and screaming, they called for my coronation, and for our people.
I would have wept in relief, but the crowd boiled and surged, my brothers agitated after watching the fights. I hushed them again, but questions rose, peppering the air.
“Where do you lead?”
“Take us home!”
As the murmurs rose in the crowd below—some intrigued, others unhappy, I beckoned quickly for Yilan and the others to join me on the outcropping of rock.
Jann led Yilan and Diadre, and the crowd below surged again.
“I don’t like this, Mel,” Jann muttered. I nodded, watching them warily.
“The Fetch! The Fetch tried to take our King!”
“Take us against the Fetch!”
“Onwards! Long live the King—take us to the end, the Nephilim will rule the Continent!”
I growled, pushing it to a roar when the men below surged forward. “No! I have taken the Fetch, they did not prevail against me—stand down!”
“Kill the Fetch! Kill them both!”
Shit!All that fighting had left my brothers with the bloodlust burning in their veins. I needed to calm them. Make them see—
“She is mine and surrendered to me—you will stand down!”I roared.
“You triumphed! Lead us! Take us against them!”
“Let us finally conquer a society with females who are strong enough to breed!”
“Brothers!” I bellowed. “Think! We have battled for months, and now stand wearied while the Shadekin have stood protected by the Shadows of Shade formillennia.I have walked the mist under their protection. But others have felt the bite of its teeth—”
“Your captive can take us through!”
“You must stop!Think!”I called hoarsely, my heart sinking to my toes.
“Is this our King?”
“He is the strongest and has triumphed where others failed.”
“Bullshit—he neuters us, just as we reach our greatest strength!”
