Now, the dome-shaped ceiling was completely black, and only the torches on the walls lit the room. She suspected the night sky wouldn’t return until the mourning period for King Tove was over.
The dark fae at the table watched their approach with a mixture of curiosity and confusion. Becca looked like a cat sharpening its claws as she eyed Lexi like she was a goldfish in a bowl.
When Cole stopped at the head of the table, she expected him to release her hand, but he kept it.
“You all know my brother, Brokk,” Cole said. “And I’d like for you to meet Elexiandra Harper.”
The council members exchanged a look.
“You’ll be seeing her often around the palace,” Cole continued.
The man with the dark brown skin rose and bowed his head before extending his hand to her. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Harper. I am Elvin.”
She clasped his fine-boned hand, and he gave it a small squeeze before releasing her. The other men at the table rose and introduced themselves, but they didn’t extend their hands to her. Becca remained seated.
When Elvin turned toward her, Becca crossed her legs and kicked her foot as she twirled a strand of hair.
“I’ve already met the half human,” Becca said.
They lifted their eyebrows, and Cole glared at Becca. She ignored him.
“We will start my father’s memorial service at noon tomorrow,” Cole stated. “It will be a subdued affair as will my coronation, which will be the following day. I will invite all of the Gloaming to attend both events,” Cole said.
“We’ll make sure to spread the word,” Elvin said.
Lexi couldn’t decide if she liked him or not. The others were openly disapproving of her, but he took her presence here well. Was it too well? Was he as helpful as he seemed, or was it all a ruse?
“What about Aelfdane’s seat at the table?” Durin asked.
“He had no children,” Alston said.
“His brother can take it, and if he decides he doesn’t want it, then it will remain empty until we can agree on a suitable replacement,” Cole said. “That is enough for tonight.”
Having been dismissed, the dark fae rose from their chairs. Most of them wouldn’t look at her, but Elvin didn’t hide his curiosity. She met and held his black eyes as he studied her.
“Until tomorrow then, milord,” Alston murmured before turning and walking out of the room.
When the others followed, no one spoke again until the sound of the front door closing drifted down the hall.
“Can you have the servants ready the hall for the memorial tomorrow, Brokk?” Cole asked.
“Yes,” Brokk replied.
“We’ll have a glass coffin and place some of father’s things inside.”
“I’ll have them take care of it.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll see you in the morning.”
With that, Brokk walked away. He slipped out the double doors and into the hall. Left alone with Cole, Lexi didn’t know what to say or do. It had been a while since she felt shy or uncertain around him, but he was different from the Cole who left her, and she wasn’t sure what to make of him.
Cole clasped her chin and lifted her face to him. “Will you stay here, with me, for the next couple of days?”
“Will that cause problems for you?”
“No.”
“Cole, these are your followers, and you’re going to need their support. If I’m going to be a problem—”
“You’re my mate, which means you will never be a problem. They will have to get used to seeing you by my side because that is where you belong.”
The vibrant, Persian blue of his eyes held her captive as she stared into their penetrating depths. “I’ll always be here for you, but don’t put yourself at risk for me.”
“I would die for you, Elexiandra; do not doubt that.”
His words stole her breath. She knew she was in love with him, but right then, the depth of her love for him hit her like a punch to the gut.
“I’ll stay,” she whispered.
He smiled before kissing her.
Chapter Forty-Two
Once more growing aroused by her kiss, Cole pulled away before he lost himself to her. “Come with me,” he said.
Taking her hand, he led her out of the room and into the main hallway. Her hand was the perfect fit in his, and as his thumb stroked her silken skin, his cock swelled.
He needed to touch her and taste her. He had to be inside her as he listened to her sounds of ecstasy while she moved against him.
Walking became more difficult, and before they made it to the stairs, he drew her into the shadows, turned her into the wall, and threaded his fingers through her hair. When her head tipped back, her lips parted, and she gazed breathlessly up at him.
She was a beautiful temptation he could no more resist than the tides on earth could resist the moon. Bending, he kissed her as he pinned her against the wall.
When his tongue claimed her mouth, the taste of her seared itself onto him. That sweet taste burned away the lingering fire and sand still clinging to his tastebuds. It pushed the memory of the trials from his mind as she became the only thing he could sense and feel.
He settled his other hand on her hip and slid it around to slip it under her shirt. He rested his palm against the small of her back; her breath caught when his erection pressed into her belly.
Sliding his hand up her back, he slid it around to brush against the bottom of her lacy bra. Normally, she wore simple undergarments.
He craved seeing and touching more of her, but though they were alone, he wouldn’t take her in this hallway. Not when there was a chance someone might come across them.
Retracting his hand from her shirt, he kept the other firmly on her hip as he stretched a hand to his right. His finger fumbled over the door before seizing the handle. He twisted the knob and pushed the door open. Lifting her, he carried her into the room and kicked the door shut behind them.
Setting her down, he released her to lock the door. When he turned back, the spectacle of a dozen moons shining back at him froze his hand in the air between them.
As he gazed at those moons reflecting all around them, he realized what room he’d entered. He smiled, and excitement thundered through his veins at all the delicious possibilities. He couldn’t have planned this more perfectly if he’d tried.
He couldn’t recall the last time he entered this room; it had to have been hundreds of years ago. Until tonight, he’d forgotten about its existence.
He would never forget again as he planned to use it to watch as he teased her until she climaxed. And he would drink in her reaction to everything he did in all the mirrors lining the walls.
Through the skylights in the ceiling, two of the four moons of the Gloaming, Orius and Carpton, hung heavily in the sky. They were the source of the moons reflecting all around him.
“What is this place?” Lexi whispered as she stepped away from him.
“A dance studio a past king built for his wife,” Cole said.
Resting his hands on her hips, he pulled her a step closer as she gazed at the mirrors in awe. The multiple reflections of the moons made the room nearly as bright as day. Their silvery glow shone in her hair and eyes as her attention returned to him.