Page 81 of Shadows of Light
Lexi would still be in the fitting for her wedding dress, and they’d managed to get a lot done today. They all deserved a break and a bit of a celebration.
Orin flipped his hammer through the air as he laughed. “Maybe you’re not such an uptight prick after all.”
Cole scowled at him; leave it to Orin to irritate him when he was in a good mood. He decided not to let his little brother get to him as he turned to the others.
“Everyone, into the palace!” he shouted to be heard across the bailey. He’d send a crew out to gather those working in the field. “It’s time to celebrate all of our work and a return to the Gloaming.”
Cheers went through the crowd as one of the dragons launched itself into the air and took flight. The cheers died away as the dark fae staggered away from the beast.
They’d been here every day for a week and never once acted like this. The dragon’s bellow was one of fury, but it didn’t turn and come toward them. Instead, it opened a portal and vanished with one of the other dragons.
The third dragon paced outside the gates as it screamed. Its golden eyes shone with despair as it stared at Cole and screamed in suffering.
“Lexi,” he breathed.
Cole had left shadows behind to watch Lexi; his control over the shadows wasn’t as strong as before, but they would watch over and report to him. And now their whispers vibrated through his connection to them.
“She killed the queen.”
Those words were like a blow to Cole’s chest as they staggered him back a step. His heart shattered, and he labored to breathe as Varo rested a hand on his arm.
Cole tried to deny it, but the dragons’ actions ended any of his protests.
“Brother, what’s wrong?” Varo asked.
The dragon propelled itself into the air and swept over the gates as it soared toward him. Cole didn’t fear the creature, but many of the dark fae screamed as they raced to find cover.
It was pointless for them to hide; the dragon was coming for him, and he was ready for it as his sorrow turned into a fury.
Grabbing his tunic, Cole roared as he tore it from him. He wanted to shred his flesh, tear open his bones, and rip out his heart to ease the misery battering him, but first, he would make whoever did this pay.
And they would suffer in the worst way possible.
From around the realm, he drew on the shadows and called them to him. They sped across the ground, zigzagged through the air, and raced toward him. Tipping his head back, he bellowed again as he opened his mouth to accept themallinto him.
Cole’s hair blew back, and dust rose from the ground as the dragon landed before him. When the dragon opened a portal to Dragonia, the Shadow Reaver followed the beast through.
* * *
“What was that?”Orin demanded.
Brokk was too stunned to move, never mind reply. He knew what that was; he suspected Orin knew too, but he refused to acknowledge it.
It was Varo who said the words, “Something happened to Lexi.”
“Impossible,” Orin stated.
“He’s right,” Brokk said, “and I think the prophecy is coming to fruition.”
Orin shook his head as he paled visibly, but Brokk saw the resignation slipping over his brother’s face.
“We have to go,” Brokk said.
He plunged into the open portal before the dragon could close it and sprinted through the darkness in pursuit of his brother. They wouldn’t run from what lay on the other side, but they’d probably be better off if they did.
CHAPTERSIXTY-TWO
“Is she dead?”Del choked out.
