Page 189 of The King is Dead
“What about it?” Yilan asked, an edge of panic in her voice.
“Melek will take the crown because he’s taking the most powerful of the population with him,” Jann explained to her, his eyes flicking back and forth between us. “We’ll send messengers, and the people will be informed. But his reign won’t betrulysecure until he’s stood in the temple in Valgorath to give his vows, and sat on the Great Throne to receive honor from the rest of the population. The merchants in particular will have a great interesting making sure their King is… open to their needs,” Jann said dryly.
“They’ll bow, or they’ll lose their heads. It’s that simple,” I growled.
“Oh, they’ll bow—but not truly. Not until you stand over them with the might of the military at your back…” Jann grimaced and trailed off.
Unfortunately, our military might had beensorelyreduced in that battle. There were more Nephilim yet to join us, the smiths and servants and injured, the resting leaders and messengers—the small army of non-fighters that followed the larger one. But some of them would be lost if they weren’t willing to resist the Fallen… and what then?
Was I just going to slaughter anyone who didn’t agree with me?
My heart went cold at the thought. Because I was King. Which meant Icould.
Sensing my unease, and apparently correctly deducing it’s source, my mate slipped her hand under my arm again and squeezed.
“We’ll figure it out,” she murmured, eyes on mine. “I’m more concerned about Valgorath—how soon would you need to go?”
We’d spoken about it once or twice. I’d told her once that I couldn’t wait to display her in the city, to call the Nephilim to roar for their Queen.
But I’d always envisioned that moment occurringafterI’d firmly taken the throne. Imagined it in the context of a time of peace.
I hadn’t let my mind turn to the challenge of shifting the culture of my people who hadn’t seen battle, and who might easily decide to revolt, just as the warriors had.
The streets would run with blood. Our population would be decimated.
I couldn’t have Yilan in the middle of that—what if she got pregnant and—
The thought had come unbidden. A place I hadn’t even allowed my mind to go before now. But as I stood there, reeling, I wanted to slap sense into myself.
How was it possible I hadn’t thought this through?
The crown would not be mine until I stood in the Temple, and sat on the Great Throne.
But even those steps wouldn’t occur without political challenges and unease. It would be a battle of mind, rather than body. But no less risky. The commercial factions within Valgorath were just as brutal as their military counterparts. Murder between rivals was so commonplace as to be mundane.
If the leaders of any of the merchant unions were to decide that I wasnottheir chosen King, they’d see Yilan as the swiftest route to my vulnerability—
“Melek!” Jann snapped.
I blinked and looked at him sharply, but my heart thumped.
“We have time,” he said soothingly. “I raised it because we have to move towards it—but it could be months, evenyears.We’ll send fliers with the news in the morning. But it will be weeks before they reach the City. No one there is going warn you that they plan to oppose you. They’ll all play the game and pretend loyalty until they have to face you. Its not a worry for today. Just… a thought for tomorrow.”
I nodded, but I’d taken Yilan’s hand and was squeezing it in mine.
What if she got pregnant between now and then?
The thought of carrying her into Valgorath, heavy with child, made me want to roar with pride—and shriek with fear.
Successfully carrying the child of a Nephilim, particularly a dominant,would make her a prize above all prizes in the eyes of my people.
A prize worthfighting forin the eyes of the strong males.
I had to send her to Theynor if she got pregnant. There was no other answer.
But the thought of being separated from her by the entire Continent turned my blood cold and sent panic crackling through the bond.
“Melek—” Yilan gasped, pressing a hand to her chest.
