And that being had claimed her as his mate and intended to make her his queen. Which meant he planned to marry her. They hadn’t discussed such a thing, but she should have known it would be the next logical step once he claimed her as his mate.
Of course, he would have to ask, and she would have to accept, but she couldn’t imagine anything more wonderful than being married to Cole. Not even her uneasiness over this place and her role in it could dim her happiness, but it was going to be an incredibly difficult road ahead of them.
She hoped she was strong enough to endure it.
From somewhere in the palace, a clock struck twelve, and Cole rested his hand over hers. As soon as the chimes stopped ringing, a line of dark fae materialized in the doorway. The line snaked around the room and poured into the hall as an endless sea of dark fae came to say goodbye to their king.
And while they bowed their heads over his coffin, many of them cast surreptitious glances at her and Cole. The others were not so covert in their curiosity, and a few openly gawked at them.
Some were clearly not pleased. She suspected more than some of them weren’t pleased; they were just a lot better at hiding it.
Cole didn’t release her hand as the dark fae continued to arrive throughout the day. Even after the sun set and moonlight streamed through the windows set high up in the wall, they came.
When the clock struck midnight, her stomach rumbled, but she didn’t complain as the mourners continued. She had no idea what time it was before the last of them finally left, but as soon as the doors closed, her shoulders slumped in exhaustion, and it took all she had not to slide out of the chair like a limp noodle.
Her ass had fallen asleep; her bladder had stopped screaming hours ago and now ached, as did her cramped, empty stomach. She wasn’t sure her feet would support her, but when Cole stood and lifted her hand to help her from the throne, she rose.
The rising did not help the bladder situation, and it took everything she had not to cross her legs and start dancing like a five-year-old who drank a gallon of lemonade.
“Let’s get you something to eat,” Cole said.
Lexi nodded, but she was too tired to speak, and she wasn’t sure she had the strength to eat anything. She hadn’t asked for food or to use the bathroom because Cole and Brokk didn’t ask for either thing.
She didn’t know if not eating was part of the dark fae mourning process, and she wasn’t about to question it. The not peeing thing was probably because they were freaks of nature.
“And a bathroom,” she said.
“Why didn’t you go?”
“I didn’t know if it was allowed.”
“Of course it’s allowed. Whenever you need anything here, ask for it, and you will have it.”
“Okay, great. I know that for next time, but I’d really like to go now.”
Brokk chuckled as he descended the steps of the dais. “I’ll see you both tomorrow.”
“Good night,” they both replied.
Cole led her across the dais and into the back area where she stood the first time she watched him with the council. She glanced back into the hall to discover Brokk already gone, and helots were slipping inside to take away the crown and coffin.
“Will they bury the coffin?” she asked.
“Yes, but first Brokk and I will add some private mementos from him and all of his children. I’ve ordered it placed in the same mausoleum as my mother. He’d want to be by her side.”
A lump formed in Lexi’s throat, and she blinked away her tears. “That would be lovely. How are you doing?”
“Fine.”
It was a lie; they both knew it, but he would grieve in his own way, and she understood that. She would be here for him when he needed her.
Cole stopped outside a closed door and waved a hand at it. “A bathroom, my love.”
“Oh, thank God,” Lexi breathed and rushed inside.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Cole stared out the window as the sun rose on the land he would take control of today. Some of the dark fae were already waking and slipping from their homes. They had fields to tend, children to chase, and a coronation to witness.
A contingent of soldiers was gathering in the bailey. They would be on duty during the coronation. He planned to keep things casual today, but he would be a fool not to have a guard present, and he wasn’t about to take any chances with Lexi’s life. Most of the soldiers would remain hidden.
Yesterday, nearly all the dark fae had come to say goodbye to their king. Cole expected the numbers to be almost as many today. They would all gather to watch while he stood on the stage he’d directed the helots to build outside the palace gates and claimed the crown his father once wore.
When anger started to build inside him, he turned away from the window and focused on Lexi as she sat on the bed. A tray loaded with oatmeal, strawberries, and milk was propped over her lap.
She’d done amazingly well yesterday. He was proud to have her as his mate and that others would see she’d chosen him. However, he was more proud of the strength and pride she exhibited yesterday, all while keeping her inner turmoil hidden.
All of this was going to be difficult for her, but she would adjust. Of that, he had no doubt. His queen would rule this realm with grace and dignity. And once he had the crown and ruled this realm, he would make her his queen.
He’d tucked his mother’s ring securely away in a dresser drawer. He was waiting for the right moment to ask Lexi to marry him. That moment wouldn’t be today, but it would happen soon.
Once she was his queen, she would be a target for his enemies, but she would also have him and a fae army to protect her. She wouldn’t give up her life in the human realm, but he would make sure she remained safe when she returned.
She buttered her toast and took a bite before looking up at him. “What time is the coronation?”
“It will start at two.”
Her gaze went from him to the window as the loud banging of a hammer pierced the day. They were still working on erecting the stage for the event.
“Are you ready?” she asked.
“No, but that doesn’t matter.”
“I suppose it doesn’t.”
“I should go down there to oversee things.”
She set aside the toast and wiped her hands on a napkin before moving the tray. She tossed aside the blankets and rose to walk over and join him.
When she encircled her arms around his waist, he hugged her close. He savored the love she so easily gave before a shout from below pulled him away.
“The helots will return with your dress before the coronation,” he said.
“Do you mind if I explore the palace a little? It’s a fascinating place.”
“Not at all. You’ll be safe inside here, but stay to the areas you know; it’s far too easy to get lost in this place, and it could take us days or weeks to find you again.”
She chuckled and brushed aside a strand of her hair. “I won’t venture too far.”
“I’ll return for you before the coronation starts.”
“I’ll be here or roaming around somewhere.”
Cole kissed the tip of her nose before turning and leaving. He strode into the sitting room and exited into the hallway. Descending the stairs, he stopped to knock on Brokk’s door and waited for his brother to answer.