If he could get to this monster and kill him, he would do it because it would keep her safer. However, he had no shot of succeeding. He’d managed to kill one dragon; he would not be able to battle his way through them all.
“Such a pity,” the Lord said as his gaze fell on the slaughtered dragon. “She was one of my favorites.” Then his attention returned to Cole, and a sly smile curved his mouth. “But very impressive. I don’t think anyone has ever singlehandedly killed a dragon before.”
Cole didn’t speak as blood dripped off him to splatter on the ground.
“I should kill you for doing that to one of my babies. Her friends certainly want you dead, but you are of far more use to me alive.”
The Lord stopped and stared expectantly at him, but Cole still didn’t speak. If this lunatic gave the command to kill him, he planned to take out a few more of these monsters before he went.
“I bet you’re thinking I’ve made a big enemy out of you and the dark fae,” the Lord said.
Silence.
“Normally, I would say you’re right, but you’re wrong here. Your father’s arrogance got him killed, as did his lies. He never planned to hand his sons over to me, but you’ll have no qualms about doing so. You will not become my enemy, Cole, and do you know why?”
Cole kept his mouth shut as he eyed the dragons slithering around him. They were eager for his blood, but they didn’t strike.
“Because if you become my enemy, countless dark fae will die. Do you understand me?”
He still didn’t speak.
“Do not eat him, my friends,” the Lord said and rubbed the back of the one protecting his throne. “If he decides not to play nice, you can have him, but that’s not going to happen because he’s going to be one of our best friends.”
Cole’s jaw clenched as images of tearing this bastard’s head off and dancing around it filled his mind.
“Now,” the Lord said as he steepled his hands before his face, “you’re going to go back to the Gloaming, and as the eldest prince, you’re going to take control of the dark fae. I know you’re only a half-breed and you will have to endure the trials, but you will rule them.
“If you survive the trials, some will fight your rise to the throne, but that’s not my problem. You will get the dark fae to fall in line, or I’ll destroy the Gloaming. You will be my greatest ally, or I will label the dark fae as traitors and hunt them across the realms. Do you understand me?”
Cole scowled at him. Before this was over, he would make sure this thing was nothing more than pieces of meat strewn across the ground for his dragons. And then, he would slaughter all the dragons.
The Lord’s eyes flicked past him, and a second later, a rush of hot air billowed against Cole’s nape as a dragon exhaled behind him.
“Do you understand me?” the Lord repeated.
Cole didn’t bother to look at the dragon, who was so close its nose brushed his skin, as he replied through gritted teeth, “Yes.”
“Good, because it is time that all the leaders of the realms learn I am not fucking around, and they are all replaceable. They will do as I say. You will do as I say, or I’ll kill them all.”
He was crazier than Cole realized, and as the hot breath of the dragon continued to warm his neck, a chill ran through him.
“You just killed the king of the dark fae,” Cole snarled. “The fae will not be excited to obey you.”
“And I have crowned you the new king, and you should have no problem with making them fall in line.”
There would be a huge problem. The dark fae had admired his father and followed him because he was powerful, fair, and quick to eradicate his enemies. They wouldn’t have such faith in Cole, and they were going to be pissed the Lord had destroyed their king.
But even with all their powers, and even if they got help from the other immortals, they couldn’t defeat the dragons. And there would be some who were glad Tove was dead; they would come for him and Brokk and try to destroy them.
The Lord had no idea the unrest he’d unleashed on the Gloaming by killing its king. If Cole couldn’t keep the realm together, it would crumble into civil war, just like Dragonia once did.
“Do you understand?” the Lord demanded.
Cole started to tell him where he could shove his declarations, but when an image of Lexi entered his mind, he bit back the words. He had to return to make sure she was safe, and he had to let the other coalition members know what happened here. He couldn’t do those things if he were dead.
“Yes,” Cole growled.
The Lord grinned at him. “Good boy. Now, run along.”
He waved his fingers at Cole as he shooed him away like an errant puppy. When Cole got the chance, he’d tear those fingers off and shove them up the Lord’s ass.
Cole turned to look at the puddle of his father’s blood again. It had mixed with the blood of the dragon, but it was still there beneath the dragon’s head. Sorrow swelled to repress his rage, and then it burned hotly through him again.
“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure it’s cleaned up,” the Lord said. “Now, do as you were commanded and leave my hall, or I’ll let my dragon eat one of your arms. I’m sure you couldn’t survive the trials without it.”
Though Cole only knew a little of what the trials entailed, it would be impossible to survive without it.
He bent and lifted the dragon’s head from the ground. “I’m taking this with me.”
“And if I say no?”
“You can say whatever you want, but if you want the dark fae to fall in line, then I’m taking the fucking head.”
Cole didn’t look back at him as he turned away. It took more willpower than he’d known he possessed to leave his father’s remains. He wanted to gather what remained of the man he’d loved so much, but he had nothing to carry the blood in. However, not having a body to entomb beside his mother and brothers weighed heavily on his heart.
He met the eyes of the dragon behind him over the top of the thick scales lining its snout. Hatred glistened in those yellow eyes, but it was nothing compared to what Cole felt for these beasts.
“Let him pass,” the Lord commanded, and after a few seconds, the dragon reluctantly slithered away.
CHAPTER 65
Cole’s feet thudded against the floor as he strode down the hall and past the beasts. Hatred swelled in him as he sneered at the massive creatures, but none of them paid any attention to him as he stalked past.
With every step he took, his claws dug deeper into his palm while his other hand carried the dragon’s head. If he didn’t have this self-inflicted injury to keep him grounded in this form, Cole would transform completely, and if he did, he would go back for the Lord, and he would die.
Lexi! Thoughts of her helped to keep him grounded more than the pain, and for a second, the faint scent of strawberries pushed aside the coppery stench of the blood coating him.
The messenger still waited by the doors, and when Cole walked through them, the warlock closed them with a click. When Cole’s head turned stiffly toward the man, he discovered the warlock staring at the wall with a blank expression on his face.
Do not kill him. But it was so tempting.
His claws scraped against the bones in his hand as he compelled himself to keep walking. He didn’t look back as he strode to the front door. A servant opened it for him, and Cole walked outside.
The warm sun beat down on him, but he didn’t see anything as he descended the steps and stalked out of the palace courtyard. As if he were a homing pigeon returning home, he found the Gloaming portal and entered it.
Once inside the protective, black walls of the portal, he slid his parents’ rings from his pocket, put them in his mouth, and started running. He only made it three steps before the wolf took over.
His clothing ripped and fell away. His muscles and bones shifted and popped as he transformed into the beast he’d kept repressed for centuries. He threw the head of the dragon into the air and caught it in his
jaws.
Over the years, he’d transformed only a handful of times, and all those times were before he turned thirty. He tried to become comfortable in the wolf’s skin during those times, but he hated the lack of control he experienced when the wolf was in charge.
The dark fae were known for their control and aloofness; nothing was controlled or reserved about the beast. It was wild, free, and ruled by the emotions the dark fae rarely displayed.
Now, he welcomed the loss of control as the wind whipped through his hair, and he was driven by an incessant compulsion to run faster. He couldn’t escape what happened in the hall, but some of his fury and sorrow eased as he gave himself over to the freedom of the wolf’s run.
Then he spotted a small glow at the end of the portal and emerged into the Gloaming. He didn’t slow or return to his fae form as he ran up and down hills, past homesteads, and through fields full of crops.
As a fae, he was aware of his senses, but not like when he was a wolf. The scent of blood permeated the air, but beneath it, he detected the earth's rich aroma, the fae wheat crops, and the crisp, night air. His vision was more acute as a wolf, and he spotted the tiny rodents darting back into the ground when he approached.
The sun had set, but the silvery radiance of the moons lit his way across an open field. His paws kicked up dirt that bounced off his back legs. The few fae who saw him cried out in surprise, but none knew it was him, and none dared to get in the way of a blood-drenched lycan.
He traversed miles, but he wasn't winded or tired when he arrived at the palace. Stopping outside the massive, metal gates, he closed his eyes as he willed himself to transform. It was more difficult than he’d anticipated; the wolf was reluctant to let go of its newfound freedom, but eventually the beast yielded.
Cole dropped the dragon head as his bones and joints popped back into place. He rose from all fours to stare at the closed gates. His hand heated as he wrapped it around the bars. Those bars recognized his touch, and when the lock sprang free, he opened the gate.
He lifted the dragon’s head and drove it onto one of the fence spikes. That head would make a lot of the dark fae think twice before challenging him.
He would not let anyone or anything stand in the way of avenging his father’s death. He glowered at the beast that slaughtered his father before turning away.
As he walked toward the towering palace half hidden in shadow, he removed the rings from under his tongue and slid his father’s band onto his ring finger. It was a perfect fit.
His mother’s ring barely made it to the knuckle of his pinky, but he fisted his hand to keep it securely in place there. The movement caused the dragon’s bite to pull taut, but he barely noticed the discomfort.
He didn’t care about his nudity as he strode through the empty courtyard, but he was glad no one was around to see the blood dripping from him. He wasn’t in control enough to answer questions.
He ascended the steps to the large, silver front doors with the four moons etched onto them. Before he reached the doors, one of them swung open to reveal Sindri standing inside the threshold.
The helot’s eyes ran over the blood, sliding down his flesh. Though Cole was barely in control of himself, he’d still managed to keep most of his ciphers hidden. Rage and sorrow could not erase centuries of discipline when it came to concealing the true depth of his power.
His father had drilled it into his head when he was only a young boy that no one could ever know the true number of ciphers on him, and no one did. Just as he didn’t know how many ciphers the other dark fae possessed, including his brothers and father.
Sindri’s eyes flickered behind him, and Cole saw understanding dawn in them a second before a cruel smile curved the man’s lips.
“We have missed you, milord,” he purred. “Where is your father?”
Sindri’s smug smile widened as it ran over Cole once more.
“Or am I looking at him?” Sindri inquired.
Cole’s claws extended, and with lightning speed, he sliced them across the helot’s throat. Sindri’s hands flew to his neck, and he staggered back as blood spilled from between his fingers. Cole didn’t hesitate before slicing into him again.
His next blow caused Sindri’s fingers to fall away; his throat opened enough to reveal his spine's white bone, and Cole seized it. Dawning horror and understanding bloomed in the helot’s gaze a second before Cole snapped the spine in half.
Sindri’s head hit the ground with a wet thud and rolled to settle at his feet. Cole stared at the unseeing eyes and parted mouth before bending to lift the head. He was rising when Sindri’s body hit the ground.
Grasping the helot by his ankle, Cole dragged the body over to the fence and gazed up at the lethal spikes on top. He turned the head to look out on the Gloaming before slamming it onto one of the points. The metal rod burst out the top of Sindri’s head.
He lifted the body next, turned it upside down, and plunged it onto another spike. The metal rod went all the way through Sindri’s body and erupted out the other end. Along with his intestines, Sindri’s testicles remained on top of the spike.
Stepping back, Cole examined the helot’s body as he contemplated his next move. The dark fae would fight his ascension, but he wouldn’t let it happen. He’d endure and survive the trials that killed many before his father, and he would become the king of the dark fae.
And once he was in charge, he didn’t care what it took, he would destroy the Lord of the Shadow Realms.
THE END
Lexi and Cole’s story continues in Shadows of Discovery.
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Shadows of Discovery excerpt
(The Shadow Realms, Book 2.
CHAPTER 1
Cole left bloody footprints behind him as he stalked up the palace steps toward the open doorway. A shadow fell across the stairs a second before Brokk skidded to a stop in the entrance. His aqua blue eyes widened, and his jaw dropped when he spotted Cole.
“Cole? Holy shit! What happened to you?”
Then his gaze went past Cole, and his eyes roamed over the pathway leading to the gate and fence surrounding the fae palace. Cole knew he was searching for their father, but he wouldn’t find him.
When Brokk’s eyes returned to him, dawning horror filled them as they ran over Cole’s naked body and the blood covering him. It was the blood of their father mixed with that of a dragon.
“What happened?” Brokk croaked the words out. “Where’s… where’s father?”
Then his gaze went past Cole again, and his jaw dropped. He’d finally seen the body of their ex-helot, Sindri, and the dragon head Cole had staked to the fence.
“Is that a dragon head? And Sindri?” Brokk’s eyes shot back to Cole. “What the fuck happened?”
“The Lord ordered a dragon to kill father.”
Brokk blinked at him, but Cole’s words didn’t seem to register as he stared at the bloody remains sticking to the fence.
“Why?” Brokk whispered.
“Because he didn’t think he would do enough to hunt Orin and Varo. He thinks I will do more. He intends for me to rule after I survive the trials.”
Cole did not say if he survived the trials. He didn’t care that many dark fae had failed to survive the trials. He. Would. Not. Fail. He would become the king of the dark fae and destroy the Lord of the Shadow Realms if it was the last thing he did.
Brokk didn’t speak as he stared unblinkingly at the fence. Tears brimmed in his eyes, but he didn’t shed them.
>
Cole knew Brokk’s tears would come with time, and so would his, but right now, the horror of what happened to their father was hitting him. And though there was grief, there was also a fury so hot that it burned away the sorrow and left nothing but ashes in its wake.
“Where did the dragon head come from?” Brokk asked.
“I killed it, and I took it as a warning to all those who will think to stand in my way of claiming the throne.”
If his brother’s eyes got any bigger, they would pop out of his head. “You killed it by yourself?”
“Yes.”
“How… how did you manage that?”
Cole still wasn’t entirely sure how he’d managed to destroy the powerful creature and could only think of one answer. “Rage.”
“And you killed Sindri because…?”
“He was happy to see me wearing father’s blood.”
“That would do it.”
As Cole finished climbing the stairs, Brokk stepped back to let him enter the palace.
“Where are you going?” Brokk demanded.
“To see Lexi.”
“Who?” And then Brokk’s mind seemed to start working again, and he blurted. “Del’s daughter?”
“Yes.”
“You’re going to see her now?”
“Yes.”
“There are a thousand things that will have to be taken care of; why would you go see her now?”
“Because I have to.”
The door slammed shut behind him, and then the padding sound of Brokk’s soft boots sounded against the stone as he hurried after him. Cole didn’t look back at his brother as he navigated the palace halls toward his room.
He’d spent his entire life within these walls, and during that time, he’d passed the numerous closed doors that would never open to him. Those rooms belonged to others, and they would not open to anyone but them, even if they were dead.
He wondered if the palace would seal off his father’s room now, too; a pang broke through his rage to pierce his heart, but he swiftly buried it. This was not the time or place; he had to see Lexi then meet with the dark fae council and arrange to start the trials.
Shadows of Fire (The Shadow Realms, Book 1) Page 27