Chapter 7
Chapter
Seven
KADEN
That announcement goes as well as can be expected.
My father goes on a tirade, promising how we will lead the continent into a new order. How our people will be free, no longer hunted like deer in the woods. How all Fae will prosper without a Human threat to their rightful place in this new world.
He doesn’t tell them how, no. My father is great at stringing along his puppets, using pretty words to grow connections. He won’t tell them of Max until the very end. Not until there is no choice but to show them his new weapon.
Beside me, Max shifts, sinking into herself. If not for the dress, for the jewel at her neck, she might have been able to hide. But she can’t—not here, on the royal stage, waiting for dignitaries to come in and pledge their support to our cause.
Fuck, she wouldn’t be able to hide even if that were the case. She’s too stunning, with all the lords drawn toward her. I’ve bared my fangs more times than I can count since entering this room, staving off their lustful gazes. Their hunger is palpable.
I expected Zelos’ ire, his hits, like his comments when we first arrived. After all, my mother’s crown sits around Max’s neck and he’s feeling threatened.
My mother detested wearing a real crown.
Born from a wealthy family, she was the second born, never meant to lead her country.
When she was arranged to my father, she decided to change how a queen would rule, starting with the crown.
She had the one given to her on her wedding day, melted into the necklace.
The gem was a family favorite, gifted to her from her mother. When she died, I kept it for my queen.
It’s a shield for Max. In our realm, the queen is to be protected. No lord would touch her with that necklace on. No lady would dare speak disrespectfully. The punishment—death—is too great for a small slight.
Unfortunately, my father is not most Fae. In protecting Max, giving her this necklace, I’ve made her a bigger target.
Growling, I restrain the beast inside my soul with a tighter leash. He’s not thrilled with this situation, his mate possibly being hurt, or used. It’s another being inside my skull, two personas trying to control one body. And I can’t find fault in its reasoning.
But I can’t give into the panic, the paranoia. I have to remain in control—of it, myself, this entire situation.
Control means I can protect Max from my father and from this whole ordeal. If I don’t, then we’re both in trouble.
Finally, Zelos sits, allowing the other Fae kingdoms to grace us with their presence.
Uncle was right to remind me to prepare. Here, I would be gazed upon by allies and not, Fae coming to see what we have, who we have become. It’s been some time since all the kingdoms have come together and this is not a time to let my control fall.
I hold tighter to Max, seeing her wince under the pressure.
Dignitary, after dignitary comes to greet us, bowing to Zelos and then to myself.
Some I’ve known since I was a child, always coming to make trade agreements.
Others, are children from a newer generation, looking to be on the cusp of something great.
All are curious to know of my father’s claims, to see what he’s procured.
Because of my father’s lust for power and grandeur, he’s boasted enough.
They’re here, playing right into his vanity.
I don’t mistake how their eyes linger on my mate.
Fighting the urge to rip their faces from their heads, I simmer with rage at their boldness to look at her with such lust.
She’s a vision to these nobles, a goddess among simple creatures. Her scar sits prominently, catching everyone’s attention. A few nod, reverently.
In the forest, she always hid it, afraid of what it would mean to those around her, and she was right to do so.
Humans see scars as a weakness, the Covens see it as a mark of failure.
Here, scars are a symbol of strength. For a woman to show off something so vicious, it proves to everyone that she is not one to test. That they cannot hurt her.
That, combined with my mother’s necklace? She’s untouchable.
I’ve done all I can to protect her.
Would it be easier to allow her magic to be free? Perhaps. But the destruction, the lack of control, would level the palace. Her emotions still control her magic and that, coupled with her anger? No. It’d be foolish to allow it.
Zelos is looking for any chance to take her. If she were to falter, he would lock her into the dungeon, and force her into a submission that even I would have difficulty ending.
I won’t let him harm her. Not like he did to Sose. Not like he did to Fee.
The night grows long, Max’s exhaustion evident from her constant shifting.
I can’t imagine she’s slept peacefully in her cell.
I’m ready to excuse us when the final dignitaries come through the crowd.
Instantly, my nose detects the sickly-sweet scent of nectar, a golden substance all Woodland Fae must ingest, much like Dark Fae must ingest animal blood.
A displeased growl slips through my lips as Reid curses under his breath. Fee sighs, annoyed but it’s ignored. All the lords turn toward the newcomers, ladies fanning their faces to dispel the sweetness. It’s overpowering to our senses.
When they stop before us, two males, my shadows slip out, anchoring to Max as if to physically keep her beside me. So, he cannot take her from me.
I don’t bother stopping the animalistic growl, my beast coming to the forefront as the oldest steps forward.
Bright grassy green eyes look up at me, the stark white-blond hair long and wild like ruffled wheat.
The typical braids along the left side of his head are close to his scalp like most of his people wear.
Other than a white tunic and leather riding pants, he’s unassuming, simple. A short sword sits on his hip, but I know he’s not very good with it. He’s never been a fighter, choosing to have others fight his battles for him.
He and my father have that in common.
“Fenrir,” I mutter, keeping my body slightly blocking Max.
“Heir Kaden,” the Woodland Fae nods once. It’s condescending and my hands clench, ready to dig into his chest and eat his bloody heart.
“I didn’t expect you. I was told your mother would be joining us.” I specifically checked because of our past. His mother, Aoife, was a good friend to my mother, who’s guidance I often sought when things were dark. I trusted her.
Her son? Not so much.
“She sends her regrets.” Fenrir frowns, glancing to Max quizzically and my threatening magic swirling around us.
“When she heard you took a mate, she sent us both to this meeting. We were surprised to hear of your claiming. We only wanted to wish you a congratulations and offer our lasting alliance.”
His world and mine have been in an alliance since my mother’s coronation. It’s only because of her that we have any allies.
Narrowing my eyes, I notice how he glances once more to Max. If it were anyone else, I’d understand their surprise. After Sose, I swore to never marry. But Fenrir doesn’t get that compassion.
“It was sudden,” I declare, ignoring Max’s eye roll. If it was a different time, I’d taunt her more—it’s better than her wallowing. “But when one knows, they must act.”
Including claiming someone against their will.
He nods, sagely. “I wholeheartedly agree. I felt the same with Sose.” He taps his chest, as if he can still feel her presence.
The entire room halts and my beast yowls in my head, a painful, mourning noise full of anger.
This fucking prick.
Stiffly, I smile, tongue tapping the edge of my teeth, regretting not bringing my sword. I’d like to plunge it into the male’s chest. “You know, Fenrir, I’m surprised Aoife would send you in her place. You’ve never been the smartest of her children.”
There’s a flicker of rage at my dismissal of his intelligence as well as his place with his mother. It’s common knowledge that Aoife did not choose Fenrir to be her heir. He was given the title by his now-deceased father. For her to go against her king’s last request would be court suicide.
My eyes look to the presence behind him. “We both know who would have been the better choice.”
Mal, Fenrir’s younger brother, stands there, dressed in black clothing, his locks dusting his shoulders, two rings hanging from his exposed ear. A sign of the second in line to the throne.
“My mother knows my father was wise in his decision.” Fenrir now turns fully to Max, no longer shy, and smiles charmingly at my mate. I want to rip his smile off, and hang it on the wall as a trophy. “Let’s not let the past taint the future. After all, Sose was years ago.”
“And yet, you continue to bring it up.”
“Fenrir,” Mal calls, stepping forward as if to intercept. “It’s been a long journey. We should adjourn until when everyone is rested.”
“Yes, you should.” My eyes glint under the darkness, my shadows rising. “After all, you all need your beauty rest. Woodland Fae are so… delicate.”
Fenrir’s smile edges into something dangerous and I laugh. He won’t be able to fight me but it’s cute to see him riled. After all, the night is where the Dark Fae are strongest. “Heir Kaden, a pleasure as always.”
“I’m sure.” I can’t help but wink, irritating him further, soothing my savageness.
On Bel’s name, I’m going to cut out his tongue and feed it to the bear-wolves.