“I don’t know. There could be two of them or hundreds. What each of them entails is a mystery; my father never revealed what he endured. They’re probably designed to test my dark fae powers.”
“But you’re only half dark fae.”
“And stronger than the rest of them.”
“Yes, but even if you survive the trials, will the dark fae accept you as king?”
“They’ll have no choice. Whoever survives the trials claims the throne.”
“What if someone is already on the throne when someone else decides to go through the trials? Or what if another dark fae decides to do the trials too?”
“As far as I know, the first has never happened, but there can only be one king. If two fae survive the trials, a fight to the death will ensue, and the survivor would wear the crown.”
“That sounds horrible and brutal.”
It most certainly would be, but he kept that to himself. Lexi stifled a yawn, and her lashes fluttered against his chest as her eyes closed before opening again.
“You should rest,” he said as he ran her hair through his fingers.
“I will, but I’m not ready yet.”
“I’m not going back yet. I’ll be here when you wake.”
“I’m still not ready,” she said around another yawn.
He decided not to push her on it. Soon exhaustion would win out over her stubbornness.
“How many times has Malakai been here since I left?” he asked.
“Today was the first time. You both returned on the same day.”
“If I have my way, it will also be the last time.”
“Good,” she murmured before her eyes drifted closed and didn’t open again.
Chapter Ten
When Lexi woke, Cole stood by her window while Sahira sat in a chair next to her bed. Cole crumpled a piece of paper in his hand as a crow flew away. The last crow that arrived here took him from her, and judging by the look on his face, this one hadn’t brought good news.
“You’re awake,” Sahira said as she leaned over and rested her hand on Lexi’s.
Lexi couldn’t look at her aunt as her attention remained riveted on Cole. “What did the note say?” she asked.
“Don’t worry about that.” Sahira rose and lifted a teacup from the table; she handed it to Lexi. “You just focus on getting well.”
Lexi held out her hand to stop her aunt when Sahira offered her the cup. “I’m okay.”
“You’re still healing.”
“I’m fine.”
With a sigh, Sahira pulled the cup away.
“What did it say?” Lexi asked Cole again.
“The dark fae council has learned of my father’s death; they have descended on the palace. I have to return,” he said.
Lexi’s heart sank. She’d just gotten him back, and he was already leaving.
To start the trials that few survived.
Shit.
She bit her lip against begging him to stay and shot a panicked look at Sahira, who watched her with worry.
“Come with me,” Cole said to her.
“I can’t,” Lexi said a little too fast.
She pushed herself up on the bed and propped her back against the headboard.
“We’ve had this discussion before,” she continued. “I have too much to take care of here. I can’t leave.”
“I’m not leaving you here after what Malakai did,” Cole said. “He could come back.”
“I can’t go.”
“Yes, you can,” Sahira said, and Lexi shot her an irritated look.
“You hate the stables. Who will take care of the horses if I leave?”
“I’ll have George come to help with the horses. But he’s right, you can’t be here when Malakai returns, and he will return.”
Lexi’s teeth ground together. The two of them were like oil and water, but they were ganging up on her. Malakai would have won the fight between them, but she’d gotten in her fair share of hits against him too.
“I can defend myself, and next time, I’ll be more prepared. I never expected him to teleport into the barn,” she said.
“And he can do that again,” Sahira said. “It’s not safe for you here.”
“Cole was gone for almost two weeks last time. I can’t stay away that long.”
“No, but if it means keeping you safe, then you have to go.”
“And you’re going to stay here? You think Malakai won’t do something to you or George if he returns? I can’t leave you here alone and unprotected.”
“I am not unprotected; I’ll set his ass on fire or put a curse on him if he tries anything.”
“And if he attacks you? You’re not a fighter.”
“I’ll make up a couple of potions that will burn off his skin if he tries anything. Believe me, Lexi, I’ll be fine.”
“You could give me some of those potions.”
“When you come back and when you’re stronger. You’re far too easy to take down right now, and you know it.”
Sahira was right, and she also didn’t like the idea of sending Cole back to the Gloaming alone, not when he wanted her there with him. But Orin was in her tunnels with a bunch of refugees.
She couldn’t leave them alone down there. Orin supplied most of what they required, but she was part of their food chain and had taken on the responsibility of protecting them.
And what would happen if the Lord’s men somehow discovered them while she wasn’t here? They would blame Sahira, and she could not let that happen. But how much could she protest without drawing suspicion or hurting Cole?
“I’ll have you back by tonight or tomorrow at the latest,” Cole said. “Even if I have to send you back with Brokk. However, I’m not leaving you here while you’re injured, but I have to speak with the council and make it clear that I will be their new king and they will follow me.”
Lexi gulped as his eyes burned with silver fire.
“You should go,” Sahira said.
There was no way she could tell her aunt she couldn’t leave because she would be putting her at risk.
“You can’t be here if Malakai comes back,” Sahira continued.
“Neither can you.”
“He’s not going to mess with a witch.”
“Half witch,” Lexi reminded her.
Sahira wiggled her fingers as she grinned. “But full-on bitch.”
Cole snorted with laughter, and Lexi rolled her eyes. “Bitchiness isn’t going to stop him,” she said.
“You can come with us,” Cole offered.
“No,” Sahira said as Lexi said, “Yes!”
“We can’t leave George here completely unprotected if Malakai does return. But you can go,” Sahira said when Lexi started to protest. She clasped Lexi’s good hand in hers and squeezed. “Go, Lexi. I’ll be fine, but most importantly, you’ll be safe.”
She couldn’t believe her aunt was arguing for her to go with Cole. Apparently, her concern for Lexi’s safety outweighed her dislike and distrust of the dark fae. It figured such a thing would happen now.
“I can’t be gone long,” she said to Cole.