Page 76 of Shadows of Light
“More blood will stain my hands.”
He rested his hand over her hands. “It’s, unfortunately, a consequence of ruling, but they have to die, Lexi.”
“I know,” she whispered.
“You won’t have to carry it out alone; I’ll be by your side for it now.”
His fingers entwined with hers as she nestled against his shoulder and kissed his chin. Her lush breasts against his side reawakened his hunger. Knowing that he could help take her mind off those troubles, he kissed her and rolled her on top of him.
CHAPTERFIFTY-EIGHT
At first,Cole felt weird and out of sorts when he returned to the palace. It was strange to be amongst immortals and civilization again. He’d only been gone for a little over a month, but part of him felt like it belonged in a cave.
And maybe it did. While his lycan and dark fae halves were more at peace than ever, the shadows still inside made him more bloodthirsty. There was no changing that.
The shadows didn’t whisper to him like they used to, but they made their presence known as they prepared to take down any threat to those he loved. He never wanted to be lost to the madness again, and as out of control as he was in the cave, but he’d gladly take more shadows into himself to destroy anyone who dared to plot against Lexi.
He would never hesitate to use the shadows, no matter the consequences to himself. But if he had to do it again, she could ease the burden from him when the danger passed.
He wouldn’t be lost again.
The shadows didn’t reach as far anymore; they didn’t slither through all the different realms in search of threats and report back to him. He didn’t like being cut off from this source of information, but after the death he’d unleashed, he liked to think the immortals wouldn’t be so stupid as to try coming for her again.
But, after so many years of living, if there was one thing he could count on, it was the stupidity of others. They were still out there, and he’d destroy them when they made their move. They also didn’t know his reach had lessened, so hopefully, they would be more hesitant to attack.
The day after he returned from the cave, he stood by Lexi’s side and let the shadows help destroy the prisoners. At first, Lexi, his brothers, Del, and Maverick protested him doing so, but it was another show of the shadows’ power as they encompassed the prisoner’s necks and decapitated them.
The ones he didn’t kill, the dragons slayed. Lexi was against the dragons’ participation, but Alina volunteered them, and Cole agreed they should be involved.
She may not like it, but the death of these prisoners was a show of her power and control over the realms. So, while Cole decapitated some, the dragons torched or happily ate the others.
They were all quick deaths, something Lexi insisted on, but the display would be talked about inallthe realms and make some immortals hesitate before attacking. Not only did this queen have dragons at her side and lethal powers, but she also had the Reaver.
Noother had ever possessed so much combined ability to destroy. It was awing and frightening.
He was proud of the leader Lexi was becoming, even if she remained uncertain of her choices. The army was growing, the residents of Dragonia loved her, workers were returning to the palace, and she’d forged bonds with the sirens, giants, and dwarves.
Some of the other immortals would be more difficult to win over, but if she could make a giant smile, she’d win the others over too. It was only a matter of time.
Now, he stood beside her as they surveyed the lush, green garden. He’d seen it when they first returned to the palace, but after a week of being here, what she’d done here still amazed him.
When he glanced at the woman beside him, pride and love encompassed him as he clasped her hand. She was beautiful, strong, andhis.
She smiled at him before shifting her attention back to the garden. “They removed the fountain yesterday and are planting a beautiful tree in its place today.”
He slid his fingers into hers as he turned back to the gardens. “This would be a beautiful place to get married.”
“It would.”
“How about next week?”
Lexi turned her radiant smile on him. “Next week sounds perfect.”
“Is that enough time to get a wedding dress ready?”
“I’d marry you naked.”
He laughed as his fingers tightened on hers. “While I wouldn’t mind that, I’d prefer not to have you naked in front of everyone else.”
