“I know more than anybody here.” Ryker pushed off the wall, getting in Eli’s face. “Who do you think carried it for centuries? I was strong enough to fight it, ignore the constant pull. So don’t get righteous with me, dweller. I understand it better than anyone.”
“Then use your fucking head instead,” Eli bellowed back.
Fury swelled over the Wanderer’s chest, tension cramming into every corner.
Crapping nerf-herder.
“Enough!” I yelled, jumping in between the two men, pushing their chests, which was as effective as trying to shove back a brick wall. Neither inched back a smidge. “We can’t have fighting among us as well. We have far too many enemies outside these doors for us to be at each other’s throats.” I took a breath, letting them ease back before I turned to Ryker. “I understand you are scared and angry. I may not know Zoey well, but I already grasp that she would not want you to act foolishly, get yourself hurt or killed, because you didn’t take a moment to think. What if your actions get yourself or her killed?”
“Man, you know she’d kick your ass,” Croygen said from his spot against the wall with Lexie.
Ryker huffed air through his nose, side-eyeing Croygen.
“You know the stone, so help us think like it. Brute strength is not going to help us here.” I hesitated, but then touched his arm. “You are not alone in this fight. Not only do I care for Zoey, but we also want to save Lars, if there is any chance he is still in there.”
“He damn well is.” Fionna folded her arms, appearing ready to take down anyone who opposed her. “And I’ll get him, even if I have to drag that demon out by his dick.”
Snorted laughter scattered through the room. That was my sister. No filter.
Slight amusement simmered briefly on Ryker’s face. He took a step back, exhaling. Sprig crawled out of the bag Ryker wore, the one Zoey had left behind.
“Viking?” He got up on his shoulder, Ryker automatically started rubbing his head. “We’ll get Bhean and Buachaillín.” He patted Ryker’s cheek softly. “We have to. Bhean is the only one who knows where to order that supersized honey jar. Oh, since we’re on the subject of food.”
“We weren’t.”
“Yeah, we are. I just brought it up.” He rubbed his belly. “Do you hear it? I won’t be of any use to anyone without sustenance.”
“You’re not any use to anyone, anyway.” Croygen approached Ryker.
“Shut it, bootleg-humper.” Sprig stuck out his tongue at the pirate. “Oh, I want some churros. Bhean and Buachaillín need me at full capacity, so maybe pancakes. Honey mango chips to hold me over until the pancakes. I can settle for donuts or waffles.”
“Douse those in juniper syrup and you got yourself a partner.” Cal flew over to the sprite. “I’m open to trying honey-infused juniper juice.”
“Ohhhhhh.” Sprig’s eyes widened, his lips smacking.
“Shit.” Croygen chuckled. “I’m open to that too.”
I rubbed my neck, disgusted by the coat of dust. “Stavros will be coming for us soon. His pride took a hit today.” After Zoey had walked away, it took us a moment to realize what happened. When I felt the stone’s power dwindle over Stavros and his men, I ordered everyone to retreat.
Fionna and Ryker fought me, trying to get back into the house, to go after their kids. It was my decision. A choice no one else had to bear. My mind quickly scrambled down the pros and cons lists. There was no chance we could get the children out without another huge fight. And the gas bombs in the rooms had confirmed my decision. Stavros could hurt them at any time. I wasn’t willing to risk their lives or ours. Not yet. Not without a plan.
Olivia walked into the room, carrying a tray full of coffee and biscuits. The rich aroma filled my nose, making my mouth water.
“My lady.” She set it on the desk. “Thought you might need a pick-me-up.”
“Thank you, Olivia.” I almost hugged her; the small act almost broke me. She was always a step ahead, always thinking of my needs before I even knew I wanted something.
Cole leaned against the desk, peering down. “No chocolate biscuits?”
“I’m sorry, do I look like your servant, dweller?” Olivia whipped around on him, her hand pressed to her hip. “I don’t remember you signing my paychecks.”
“You want me to pay you to bring me cookies, fox?” His lifted his eyebrows, expression neutral.
Olivia’s cheeks heated, her lids narrowing.
“If you want chocolate biscuits, then walk your ass to the kitchen yourself.” She flipped back around to me, her tone shifting. “Anything else, my Queen?”
Actually, I wanted chocolate biscuits, too, but shook my head, letting her stride out. She glared back at Cole before leaving, his amused grin inching farther up the side of his face.
Olivia came from Lily’s fox skulk. It was Lily who recommended her to me, for which I was grateful. It was no secret foxes and dark dwellers weren’t crazy about each other, but Olivia had been one of the first to accept my relationship with Lorcan. She liked him and was not upset at all when she found him naked in my office, which was more often than not.
Lily had grown immune to them, being around them all the time, but I could see having so many dwellers in one place might make Olivia a little uneasy.
Or maybe it was solely Cole who did.
“I suggest we all relax, get something to eat, and meet back here in an hour.” My shoulders slumped down, the weight of what was ahead of us bearing down on me. “I’m tired of Stavros being one step ahead. And as far as the stone…if any of you have ideas or anything that might help...” I need Lars. I can’t do this by myself. “All right. One hour.”
Only a few reacted, stepping toward the door. Ember came and stood beside me, taking my hand.
“I know,” Ember croaked out, her fingers touching the wound lining her neck. “You think this is all on you, Ken, but it’s not.”
I tried to smile back. Her sentiment was nice, but it was all on me. “Aren’t you glad I picked up that sword about now?” I clasped her hand.
“Hell, yeah.” She breathed out a laugh. “If I were Queen, this place would have burned down the first week, everyone running around, probably naked and drunk. Chaos. Mayhem.”
“I’m saving that for the holidays.”
Ember’s face grew serious. “You are an amazing leader. No one could do any better than you have.” She squeezed my fingers. “I am so proud of you.”
“Thank you.” I didn’t feel amazing. Not even close. I felt scared. Inexperienced. And extremely tired.
“Brycin,” Eli yelled over his shoulder, walking toward the doors. “We have an hour.”
Ember turned to retort when Torin rushed into the room, his eyes wide.
“What is it, Torin?”
He didn’t answer. Just grabbed something off the desk and flicked the screen on. Images flashed on the TV, his thumb jabbing at the volume button.
“Riots and protests have broken out all over the world.” A woman’s voice came over the speakers, the TV flashing groups holding signs and chanting. “Violence is springing up between the two sides, between the Queen and new King. Fae and human police are trying to stop it, but there have already been four deaths.”
Everyone in the room went still. Those who were almost out the door came back in, staring at the monitor in horror.
Signs marked with quotes like:
A) Off with her head!
B) No vote, no queen.
C) Time for a true leader.
Sprinkled in were a few pro-Queen posters, but all I saw was hate. Rage. Distress that I was in charge.
“The response in the streets has been swift after the allegedly new King broadcasted live only moments ago,” the news reporter said as the screen flashed to Stavros standing before a throng of people. Some I recognized as individuals who had lived here in the village under my protection.
“Crap on ash bark,” Ember muttered next to me, stepping closer to the display.
Wearing one of Lars’s suits but foregoing the tie, Stavros stood in front of a crowd with the first three buttons of the shirt undone. Despite his shabby fashion, his presence was undeniably formidable. Charismatic. Maybe even approachable. All of it lies.
“Today I come forward as the true Seelie King. The rightful leader. The only leader. It is time for a single ruler. No more of this division that is ripping the country in half.” He held out his arms, projecting power. Cheers responded to him.
“Who here believes a girl of twenty-four can do anything for you? That she has any idea about your wants and needs? Most of you are centuries older than her, have lived and seen things she could never possibly imagine. How can she lead you? A child…and a Druid.”
The crowd roared with applause. These were people already following him, who believed humans and Druids were lesser than fae. But as a viewer, would you understand it was staged? Or would you start questioning your own beliefs?
“Fuck,” Lorcan grumbled on my other side.
My heartbeat and breath were stuck in my throat, acid burning holes in my stomach. I could feel my crown crashing into dust at my feet, maybe hypothetically, but every word he spoke shoved me further off the throne. My fists rolled so tightly my nails cut into my flesh.
“Druids were never supposed to rule us fae. It is a disgrace. I am ashamed to come back to see how badly we have fallen.” He placed his palms on his heart, looking pained, shaking his head.
He wasn’t even a good actor, but the audience gobbled it up, responding with boos at their present state.
“And humans, if you think she has your rights in mind, why don’t we take a look at the team helping her make decisions on your behalf? All fae! Not one human.”
I wanted to change that. It had always been at the top of adjustments I aspired to make. But I wanted the dust to settle after my ascension to the throne. I didn’t want to displease the fae and cause a revolt right out of the gate. It was my mistake for not pushing it. And now I would take the brunt of that choice because no one knew about my good intentions.
It also didn’t matter his intentions were less than honorable for humans; he just had to declare mine.
“There are a lot of you still in favor of the old King and Queen. You’re scared. I understand that.” He again brought his hands to his chest, as if he could sympathize.
“Seriously? Is anyone believing this crap?” Lexie threw up her arms, looking around the room.
“Unfortunately, it looks like a lot are, little shark.” Croygen stood so close to her their arms brushed together.
“I hate being the messenger of bad news, but Lars is dead. My dear, kind nephew. We shall miss him,” Stavros went on.
“Fuckin’ bastard,” Fionna growled behind me. “He’s not dead, wanker. And he will come back and kick your bloody ass.”
“I hope I cannot only be as good as him, but better. For all of you. Get us off this destructive downhill course and set it right.” His voice rose along with one arm. “Who is with me? Who will fight for what is right, push against an insolent spoiled child, and take back our position in this world. We need to remove the Queen, by any means. Let’s rip her off the throne she should never have had.”
Holy fuck. Did he just subtly tell them to kill me?
Roars thundered over the mass like a rock concert. Every cheer or clap was a knife stab into my gut. Bending over, I groaned, feeling each pierce.
“Turn it off!” Lorcan touched my back, yelling at Torin. “Now!”
Air strained to get through my airwaves, burning up my nose, searing my eyes.
“Shit.” Lorcan rubbed at my back, running his hand up my neck to my tattoo. “Breathe, li’l bird.”
No stranger to panic attacks, especially during the last two years, I knew what was happening. But having Lorcan beside me, hearing his voice, felt like stepping into a warm bath.
Don’t let them see you this way, Ken. Stand up. They are all scared, too, maybe even thinking, deep down, you can’t handle this either.
My spine went board-straight, as I stood to my full height. I felt Lorcan’s hand fall away.
“Torin, double the guards around our borders. There will be no days off for anyone. We need every guard we can muster on duty around the clock.” If not Stavros himself, it would be his fanatics who would try to get in, probably dreaming of being the one who took down the appalling Druid Queen.
Torin was already scrambling from the room yelling into his walkie-talkie before I even finished.
I turned to the room. “Rez, I need you to contact all the sirens now. Lily, I want you to do the same for your skulk. Fionna, get word to the DRL, whomever is left to fight. Don’t use phones or anything that can get tapped until we get our system locked down. Garrett, how long before you can get our servers protected?”
“I have to look.” Garrett stepped closer.
“Castien will take you to our computer room. While you are safeguarding our system, see if Stavros is communicating with anyone. Can you hack into the camera system in the compound?”
Garrett flicked his eyes in annoyance. “I fuckin’ hope so. I created it.”
“Good. Go.” My voice sounded like someone else. The Queen had stepped in and she wanted things done now. “Dwellers, you will rotate shifts patrolling the outer forest. If anyone is coming near, I want to know it way before they do.”
Cole and Lorcan both nodded. “I won’t ask for your permission to kill if that moment comes.” Lorcan’s green eyes met mine with the same determination as mine.
“Do what you need to.” I knew it must be so, but my gut twisted at the coldness in my own voice. This wasn’t me. But I could no longer be the kind, sympathetic Queen. I was getting stomped on, crushed into the dirt with a twist of Stavros’s claims.
I needed to become the same as Lars. Think like him, act like him. Without him, I realized how much I had leaned on him and felt comfort in knowing he was there that nothing bad could happen because he would come to fix it.
Now Lars needed me to be ruthless in protecting this kingdom.
I am trying, Lars.
Don’t try, Ms. Johnson. Just do it. I could hear his voice in my head.
“What can I do?” Annabeth moved past Ryker and Croygen.
“Uh.”
“Please, Majesty. I may not be a fighter, but I can’t sit. I will go crazy thinking about Wyatt and Zoey.”
“Me too! But I wouldn’t mind a sword.” Lexie held up her hand, stepping next to Annabeth.
A snort came from across the room. Cooper covered his mouth.
“Oh no you didn’t.” Lexie swung to the blond dweller, but Croygen jumped in, putting his arms around her and pulling her into his body.
“You can come with me, li’l shark. I need to get my ship ready and recruit a few more tradesmen down by the docks.”
“Tradesmen, my ass.” She rolled her eyes, but let herself fall into him, calming instantly.
Annabeth still stared at Cooper. She wasn’t glaring, but he shifted uncomfortably beneath the intensity of her gaze. His head jerked around as though he was fighting something before he looked at the ground, his head bowing.
It took me a moment to realize the severity of that minuscule moment. My eyes widened, going straight to Lorcan. Did I just see Cooper submit? I tried to hide my shock.
Yep. Lorcan rolled his lips together to stop the grin forming on his face. He’ll be on his back soon, waiting for a belly rub... Speaking of rub...
I turned around before he could finish, hearing a snort of laughter from him.
“Annabeth.” I pulled her focus from Cooper. “You can get refreshments to the soldiers on duty.”
“Thank you, my Queen.” She dipped her head, looking relieved to have a task. In the face of terrible anxiety, nobody wanted to be idle.
“I’ll show you to the kitchen. Was going to grab something to eat on the way out.” Copper jerked his head for her to follow.
“Sure you
were, brother.” Gabby leaned against the wall, smirking at him when he walked past. He punched her arm, knocking her into Alki. “Asswad!” she yelled at his back. He responded by flipping her off.
“Wait!” Sprig yelled at Annabeth, rising. “You’re going to the kitchen? I mean…since you’re heading that way and everything.”
Annabeth grabbed Sprig from Ryker’s shoulder and turned to follow Cooper.
“Do you think they’ll have the whipped honey I love so much? What about honey-glazed muffins? Diggle berries, I’ll settle for those corn nuts…but of course dipped in honey. Oh, do you think they’d make me fries?”
“Hold up, monkey boy. I’m coming!” Cal flew after them. “Think we need to start testing this honey/juniper concoction. Might need a lot of sampling to get it right.”
“Yeah. Lots and lots of sampling.” Sprig nodded eagerly at the pixie. “I really should get Pam. She’s already pissed I left her behind. You’d like her. She’s has an amazing sense of humor. But don’t mention the work she’s had done. She’s still sensitive about that...” Sprig’s voice carried down the hall before it disappeared.
“My lady?” Simmons spun to address Ember.
“Please, Simmons. Go. I think they are going to need a babysitter.”
“I will do my best, my lady.” Simmons saluted her.
“Yeah, because you’re a stellar babysitter. Cal never gets drunk on your shift.” Eli came up next to Em, slipping one finger into her belt loop.
“I am a pixie, Sir Eli, not a sorcerer.”
Ember laughed, grinning at Eli. “It’s true, no one has the power to stop that.” She waved at Simmons. “Go, I can already sense the kitchen staff losing their minds.”
He bowed, flying out of the room.
“Come with us.” Eli tugged on her belt loop. “You know you’re craving a run.”
Her eyes glinted with yearning, her tongue slipping over her bottom lip. I had grown used to Lorcan “hunting” and sometimes tasting his kill, but Ember craved it in the same way a dweller did. She couldn’t shift into one, but her senses, her lock on prey, were all dark dweller. She looked back at me guiltily.
Rise From the Embers (Lightness Saga #4) Page 17