Chapter Thirty-Five Garrick
Chapter Thirty-Five
Garrick
Absolute silence rang through the room. It was a tense, waiting stillness, filled with equal parts surprise and malice, but
no one dared to challenge me—yet.
Magic pulsed through my blood as I reconnected with the land and my court. Expending so much power before I was at full strength
was a calculated risk, but I needed to secure my rightful place, and quickly, or Riela would be in even more danger.
As soon as people found out she was my link to the door, she would be targeted. And while I would gladly kill anyone who dared
to threaten her, it would be easier for us both if I didn’t have to spend the entirety of my time fighting.
Uneasiness settled in my stomach like a stone as my concerns about why she could open the door grew teeth. But I couldn’t deal with that problem until I’d secured my court. A hundred years of
absence was a long time for alliances to change, and there were plenty of new faces I didn’t recognize. Etheri sovereigns
ruled with power, fear, and respect. Until I could earn their respect again, I would accept their fear.
Fighting a sovereign in their own court was something only the most foolish would attempt, so I waited to see if the Silver
Court had accepted any fools.
No one moved.
I swept my gaze over the silent room. There were new additions, certainly, but there were familiar people, too, and one of
them twisted her head away from the floor far enough to wink at me.
Relief nearly brought down my careful show of power. Once it had become clear I was stuck in Edea, I’d half expected Bria
to do something reckless like storm the Blood Court alone.
I wondered who’d talked her out of it since both Grim and I had been unavailable.
Her eyebrow rose, and her gaze swept meaningfully around the room. I tipped my head at her, then turned and climbed the steps
to the throne. Turning my back on the court was a deliberate provocation—and a show of power.
As I settled on the throne, Grim led Riela up to stand behind my right shoulder. The position marked her as under my protection.
I let my power fade. It was time to see who remained loyal.