Page 94 of The King's Man
Yilan looked up at him, her eyes wide and brow pinched to lines. I suspected their hands were joined under the table as well.
Melek cleared his throat and turned back to the table. “I can’t afford to give anyone else time to establish a challenge. But in case the move was made by another nation, I also need to make my appearance in the Capitols we’ve conquered on the way. On the small chance Gall and Istral were taken by our enemies, I’ll draw them out that way.”
“Sire, I agree that a return to Valgorath is wise, but surrounding yourself with recently defeated enemies is dangerous—” I started, but Melek shot me another look to shut me up and even though I knew it was a ruse, my pride prickled.
The council muttered and discussed, argued and agreed, turning all the circles that Advisors must to make certain theyexamined a proposal from every side. Meanwhile, I turned my mind to speculation on where we would find news of Gall and Istral—I’d never questioned that we would, only what we might find when we did—but that naturally led to how all this travel might tear Dee and I apart. And my heart screamed at the thought.
‘We’ll find our way. I will not lose you.’
My breath caught. It was her voice. I glanced at her from the side. She met my eyes for a split second, then turned back to the table. But her cheeks pinked.
How did I make her hear me? Could I? Did it take her magic, or—
‘You only need towantme to hear you. Reach for me in your thoughts as you would with your voice. You’re my mate,’she sent, a sense of fragility coming with the statement—but it was the delicacy of pure joy with fear it would be lost.‘It will just take practice.’
‘Can you hear this?’
‘Yes.’
She didn’t look at me, but she smiled and my heart swelled.
“…I’mintendingto draw out the enemies—I want to face them,” Melek growled in response to me challenging the wisdom of putting him in physical proximity to other nations’ people. “They must see me and know me as their conqueror. Plus, whoever was responsible for taking Gall and Istral must see that I am not distracted or uncertain of my path despite it.”
“We’ll find out who took them, and we’ll kill them,” I said bluntly. Everyone turned to look at me. “The fights the Neph choose or avoid aremychoice,” I muttered. “Melek will make a greatshow of claiming the throne. He has already defeated all of these people. Let them be reminded whose foot crushed them—and as he travels, we’ll ensure that he’s welcome and hosted by every so-called royal or leader along the way. Whateverfriendsdecided to use the leverage of our loved ones against us, they will not be able to let the opportunity to press him pass. When they have revealed themselves, we’ll find out if Gall and Istral are alive, and where they are. And once we know, we’ll kill everyone involved,” I said with simple finality.
Under the table, Diadre’s fingers, twined with mine, opened to stroke my thigh, which made my cock twitch.
Melek gave me a measuring look, but nodded. “This trip will serve two purposes—in the nations where Gall and Istral arenot,we will cement power, and leave Neph Governors and councils to carry out my orders. They can also manage our networks of eyes and ears in each Kingdom and pass on any news or intelligence as it comes to light. By the time I reach Valgorath, the Continent will already be mine. And with the fighters behind me, whether someone at home has Gall or not, there will be little threat. It will be the entirety of the Continent, against the merchants and traders. The throne will be mine in hours,” Melek said confidently.
“What about the Queen?” Diadre asked, meeting eyes with her friend. “If you two are split up the Shadekin alliance will be questioned—”
“I’m going with him,” Yilan said quietly.
Diadre jolted. The Neph, of course, thought little of it, but I knew Diadre had expected Yilan and Melek to settle in Theynor. Her eyes widened. “You’llbothleave our nation? With the Neph right here to—”
“I have no wish to leave. But Turo is fully capable of governing for a few months while we carry this out and find Istral—not to mention that there is no longerNephandShadekin. We are one nation.”
No one at the table agreed with her. Even Melek eyed her sideways.
“The Nephilim see themselves as conquerors of nations, not… brothers. Our brothers will expect to take Theynor as they have every other Kingdom—” I pointed out, not because I believed we should follow that philosophy, but because I knew all the other men would be thinking it. Sure enough, the others murmured and nodded their agreement.
“They willnot.And you will put that idea to death wherever you may find it. Our nations are already unified,” Yilan snapped.
The men looked at each other, clearly skeptical. But Yilan’s chin rose. “I am not naïve—I know there is no trust between our peoples. But what better way toprovethat both sidescanandshouldbe trusted than for the Neph to leave Theynor in the hands of Shadekin, and the Shadekin to leave all other nations in the hands of Neph? It sends a clear message—not to mention that with the Nephilim drawing back to Ebonreach, the threat is far lower for any who remain here. They must see that our purposes are the same and commit themselves to seeing this union through!”
She cut off as she grew impassioned. Her fingers curled on the tabletop like claws. “Istralmustbe returned to Theynor—it would be ideal for that to happen in the hands of the Neph. For loyal men here, or those with us, to take her back to safety. But Melek’s throne must be certain foranyof us to be safe. Unless he is seen as King of All, none of us can sleep at night.”
“Including you,” Diadre interjected. “Yilan, you cannot ignore that Theynor still has need for you—and Melek—”
“Of course it does,” Yilan hissed. “But, no matter my thoughts for home, my sister is in danger, and my mate walks a tightrope. My purpose is clear. I’ll follow Melek into hell itself,” she said quietly.
The men around the table were taken aback. Even I was moved by Yilan’s devotion to Melek, and it was clear the wordshad touched him as well. He turned to her, their eye meeting and they both went still.
Speaking in their minds, I realized.
Suddenly, this magik took on an entirely new light. I made a mental note to ask Diadre if this allowed us to remain in contact when we were out of each other’s sight, then turned back to the table to draw their attention from the King and Queen who were clearly struggling to contain their emotions.
“Are you certain this isn’t a ploy, Yilan?” Diadre asked carefully. “If Istral was taken byNeph,this could be a plot to get you out of Theynor and leave our border vulnerable.”
