Page 28 of The King is Dead
I mentally scanned through Gault’s “cousins,” analyzing the different royal bloodlines and who might receive the news when it came. Yet I came up short. None of them were strong. Not like Gault.
The Fallen angels hadn’t made new offspring in over three decades. To immortals that probably didn’t seem long. Yet, all those who existed now and could feasibly claim the royal bloodlines were at least two more generations diluted, which made them weaker stock.
Once Gault had killed his half-brother, he had ruled unhindered.
I couldn’t recall any claim to the bloodline heir for the succession… And to my knowledge Gault had never fathered a living child.
Except Gall.
Holy shit.
Holy shit.
My heart banged against my ribs, and I began to pace.
Gall was next in line for the throne—if he’d chosen to claim it. But no.No.
Even those who knew Gall’s lineage had been ignoring him since Gault rejected and left him for dead. Most of the Nephilim didn’t know Gall was Gault’s… and even if they did, no one in our society wouldfollowhim.
A Nephilim ruler had to be brutal. Had to be strong. Had to befierce.
No, I reassured myself. There was nothing to worry about for Gall. That was why the Neph were in chaos—because there was no heir. They were fighting because no clear leader already existed to narrow the field.
Yilan’s words came roaring back to me in memory and made my chest tight.
…A true Ruler is both admired and followed willingly! Their people—including their military leaders—serve because they choose to. Your people are following you… and you serve the King, so they do as well. The moment you declared yourself they would abandon him…
Was it true?
And if it was… what could I do?
Take the crown and then… what? Lead from Theynor? Sit on a throne here and appoint a Governor there?
It wouldneverwork. The Nephilim needed a present and strong ruler—they challenged authority too much to be left alone. And I couldn’t lead both nations, even one from afar. They wereenemies.
So that left me here, leading a people I didn’t know, but with my mate at my side… with the Nephilim on the border, and when they eventually get their shit together, ready to attack.
And suddenly, everything I held precious would be under threat.
Again.
My belly clenched when I thought of Yilan staring at me, her beautiful, cat-like eyes wide and shining with admiration. Or perhaps her eyes closed, and her mouth open in passion.
I thought of her compassionate heart.
Rule with her and bring her into deeper danger, or reject her, break her heart, but return tomypeople with a chance at removing the threat…
There werenogood options.
I found myself standing at the window looking down, and my unsettled thoughts were interrupted by the sight of a group of people far below, walking in the garden.
My heart leaped. The one at the center washer.
I leaned closer, my breath growing shorter when she turned and looked up, shading her eyes to find my tower—
I stepped back quickly, out of her line of sight, and cursed.
I couldn’t do this. I couldn’t be this. I couldn’t…
