Inferno, page 29
Con brought their joined hands to his lips where he placed a kiss on her fingers. He bowed his head and reluctantly loosened his fingers on hers. Rhi kept her gaze locked with his as she gently pulled her hand away. Then she drew in a deep breath and faced Usaeil.
“Be ready,” Con cautioned Merrill and Varek.
He didn’t care that it appeared as if Usaeil were dead. Rhi had killed her the first time, and look what had happened. However, Moreann was no longer alive and able to snatch Usaeil’s body away at the last minute.
But that didn’t mean Con would let his guard down.
He looked around and found every Fae watching Rhi. Even the Dark appeared in awe of her. Not that Con blamed them. Rhi had climbed higher than most, only to hit rock bottom before clawing her way up again, stronger than ever before.
She was devoted to her people, steadfast with those she cared about, and unwavering for those she loved. She was noble, trustworthy, and utterly devoted to whatever she believed in. Whenever a friend was in need, Rhi never hesitated to help however she could, even going so far as to put her very life in danger.
Rhi was one in a million.
A breeze blew in, lifting the ends of her hair that hung from the ponytail. She stared down at Usaeil for a long moment before she called her sword to her. Con tensed. He covered Usaeil with magic so no one could take her from the area. His gaze lowered to Usaeil. Her end had been a painful one, but after all the deaths she’d caused, she’d reaped what she sowed.
Suddenly, Rhi lifted her sword above her head, holding it with both hands. Then she let out a battle cry and sliced downward. The blade cut through Usaeil’s neck cleanly. The former queen’s head rolled toward him, her red eyes seeming to look straight at Con.
Rhi turned on her heel and returned to his side. Then, her silver eyes met his. “Burn her.”
He issued a nod to Merrill and Varek. Both Kings drew in deep breaths before directing dragon fire onto Usaeil’s body. The heat didn’t bother Con, but he saw sweat soon covering Rhi. It was over as quickly as it had begun, however. When the Dragon Kings closed their mouths, there was nothing left of Usaeil but ash.
What remained of the Queen’s Guard moved forward, and using magic, they directed the ash away from the castle. When the last bits were finally gone, the guard turned as one to Rhi and lowered to one knee, their heads bowed, and their right fists held over their hearts. Con smiled as he looked at Rhi. The Light would only flourish under her leadership.
“Please, rise,” Rhi said to the guards. Then she turned toward the castle and the Light who watched her. “A new era has begun for the Light.” A cheer went up, but Rhi ignored it as she then turned to the Dark. “I can say the same for the Dark. Because we are more than Light or Dark. We are Fae!” she declared as she turned to speak to all of them.
As more cheers broke out, Rhi looked at Con, a wide smile on her lips. He took her hand and pulled her to him. He held her close as he realized how lucky he was to have her.
“You’re amazing,” he told her.
She chuckled and leaned back to look at him as she locked her arms around his neck. “I learned from the best—you.”
“A compliment?” he teased. “I’m no’ sure what to do with that.”
Her black brows rose as she gave him a stern look that was ruined by her grin. “Get used to it, because I’m going to shower you with them.”
“Only if I can do the same.”
“You better. Because flattery will get you everywhere.”
They both laughed as he gazed at her. Con shook his head. “I love you. I’ve always loved you. You may no’ believe th—”
“Shhh,” she told him as she put a finger on his lips to silence him. Her expression was serious as she briefly dropped her gaze to his chest before meeting his eyes again. “I know why you ended things. It was the right thing to do. I see that now. I should’ve seen it long ago.”
“You were hurt,” he said as he moved her finger away.
“Maybe. But I knew you. I knew how much you loved me. I should’ve realized that you’d never do anything that drastic without a very good reason.”
Con gave a little shake of his head. “I put my brethren before you.”
“As you should have.”
“You were my mate. You should have come first.”
She smiled softly and cupped his cheek. “But you aren’t just any Dragon King, my love. You’re King of Dragon Kings, and that means your people will always come first.”
“You’re my people. You’re my heart, Rhiannon. When you’re with me, I’m a better dragon, man, and leader. You call me on my mistakes and help me achieve the peace I never thought possible. I know I’ve a lot to do before I can win your heart again, and I understand that.”
She pulled back, her face creased in a deep frown. “Excuse me? Did you not just hear what I said? I’m yours. I’ve always been yours. Even before we knew each other, I was yours. I just waited to find you. Then I had you for a little while, but I had to lose you again because the path I needed to walk had to be taken alone.”
“It shouldna have been that way.”
“It doesn’t matter. None of that matters now because we’re together. I love you. So much. You can’t even fathom how much.”
He grinned and gave her a soft, lingering kiss. “I have an idea.”
“Con,” Varek called through their mental link.
Con looked up and saw that the Dark weren’t sure what to do. One of the generals made his way to them. Con blew out a breath. “We’ll have to finish this later. Right now, we need to let the Dark return home.”
“Yes,” Rhi said as they faced the general.
The Dark stopped before them and bowed his head, first to Con and then to Rhi. In a thick Irish accent, he said, “I’m Reland, a general of the Dark Army, and I’ve come to ask that we be allowed to return to the palace.”
“Who will take the throne?” Rhi asked.
Reland shrugged, his lips twisting. “A handful wanted it, and had the strength to take it, but Usaeil killed them.”
“Your feelings about Balladyn were clear,” Con said.
The general ran a hand through his short, black and silver hair. “I didn’t like his tactics at first. Balladyn kept his intentions hidden, but looking back, I believe he did it because he knew that the Dark wouldn’t want to go in the direction he pointed us.”
“I’m sure there are many who are glad he’s gone,” Rhi said.
Reland shook his head slowly. “Not as many as you might think. Balladyn was good for us. He was honest. When we followed him here the first time you fought Usaeil, he gave us the option of fighting or not. No ruler of the Dark has ever done that before. For a long time, we were nothing but the evil ones, the ones who betrayed each other to get to the top. He showed us there was another way.”
“And yet, he was betrayed,” Con pointed out.
The general paused as he looked at the ground. “Balladyn’s rule might have been short, but it will have a lasting effect on all of us.”
Rhi drew in a breath and asked, “I may call on some of you at a later date for a meeting. I hope you attend.”
“It would be an honor,” Reland said as he bowed with a flourish.
As the general walked away, Con looked to his Kings to begin removing the shield. Once it was done, the Dark jumped back to the Dark Palace.
“What are you planning?” Con asked Rhi.
She shrugged and wrapped her arm around his waist. “You’ll have to wait and see.”
“I’m no’ the patient sort.”
Rhi giggled as he rested an arm across her shoulders. “Looks like this will be a good time to learn.”
“Minx,” he teased with a grin.
“Oh, you’ve not seen anything yet.”
Their banter came to an end when they started toward the castle. Fae were pouring out, trying to get Rhi’s attention while they all shouted her name.
A female Queen’s Guard moved before the Fae and raised her hand. “Silence!”
To Con’s surprise, the Light listened. He leaned close to Rhi and said, “She’s good.”
“Her name is Selos, and I agree. I’ve been watching her these past few days.”
“Meaning?”
“I’m going to make her Captain.”
Somehow, Con wasn’t surprised.
Rhi teleported them both to her chambers. It wasn’t long before there was a knock on the door, and Merrill was calling Con’s name.
“Enter,” Rhi beckoned.
Selos opened the door for Merrill and Varek. Merrill shot the Fae a frown as he walked past her and into the room. Con hid his grin.
“I kept telling her you’d want to see us,” Merrill said as he shook his head. “But she didna believe me.”
Varek rolled his eyes. “Imagine that.”
Rhi laughed and walked to the sofa to sit. She took off her boots and set her feet on the coffee table, crossing one ankle over the other.
“I’ve already told Ulrik the news,” Varek said.
Con walked to stand beside the sofa. “I appreciate that. Is all good at Dreagan?”
“Appears so. It also looks as if things are fine here,” Merrill added.
Varek grinned wickedly. “I’m sure you two want some alone time.”
“We certainly do,” Rhi said and looked up at Con.
He chuckled as he gazed down at her. “You two can return to Dreagan.”
Rhi frowned as she dropped her feet to the rug and stood. “You’re sending them to Dreagan?”
“The Light are safe.”
“I wanted us to go to Dreagan.”
Now he was confused. “You’re the queen. You need to remain here.”
“You’re King of Kings. You should be at Dreagan. Besides, you’ve spent enough time here.”
He reached for her, pulling her to him. “What’s going on?”
“I know I’m Fae, but I don’t belong here.”
“You’ve always loved the castle.”
She sighed and flattened her hands on his chest. “I may love the castle, but it’s not where I want to live. I want to live at Dreagan.”
“The Light need their queen here.”
“And the Kings need their King at Dreagan,” she argued.
Con glanced up, intending to tell Varek and Merrill to leave, but the two were already gone. “Rhi, what’s going on?”
“I’m not going to be queen.”
He studied her for a long moment before he nodded slowly. “You’re thinking about what Moreann said regarding you and Noreen.”
“I am.”
“That was one of many paths you could’ve taken. It’s no’ the one you’re on now.”
“Why can’t it be?” she countered. “Think about it. Both the Light and Dark are set up perfectly for there to be a council to govern both. It makes sense, and hopefully, it will stop us from constantly fighting the other.”
He rubbed his hands up and down her arms. “There will always be Light who will fight the Dark and vice versa. That will never change.”
“I know. The council will help with that. I’m not saying it’ll be easy. In fact, the easy road would be to find someone to take the Dark throne. But I know in my gut that the right decision is to set up a council.”
Con drew in a breath. “If that’s what you think, then I’ll help out in any way you need.”
“Right now, all I can think of is that I’m finally back in your arms. I don’t care about the past or the years we lost. All I want to think about is right now and that you love me.”
“There is one other thing I would like for you to think about.”
She cocked her head to the side. “What’s that?”
“Becoming my mate. I’ve waited my entire life for you.”
“Constantine, King of Dragon Kings, just tell me when to be there to make it official.”
He ran the pads of his fingers along her cheek. “Right now.”
She laughed and rose up on her tiptoes to kiss him. “I’m fairly certain those at Dreagan will want more time. Besides, I need to shop.”
“Come naked for all I care. I only want you there.”
“Just try and stop me,” she said with a smile.
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
The silence in the hall was deafening after she’d finished speaking. Rhi stared at the elders of each family that she had called together. There was surprise on some faces, while others looked confused, and even more who didn’t bother to hide their anger.
“The Dark and Light have battled for too long,” she said. “The Fae Realm was nearly destroyed.”
“You mean it was destroyed,” someone corrected her.
Con stood beside her. She’d thought he might speak up, but he had yet to say anything. Still, she was glad that he was there.
“The Fae Realm is healing. I … I began it. There is a habitable portion that is larger than all of Ireland. It’s enough for the Fae to return.”
One of the females crossed her arms over her chest. “How are we to believe you?”
“Go look for yourself. I’ve built two new doorways right from this castle to the Fae Realm. One will lead you inside the healed area, and the other to the outside so you can see that it is the Fae Realm,” Rhi told them.
“Why would we go back there?”
Rhi glanced at Con. “This was never our world. We came here because we had nowhere else to go. The Dragon Kings allowed us to stay, but even then, we attacked them. The Light have had an alliance with them for some time, but the Dark continued to cause trouble. For those who want to return to the Fae Realm, I say we let them.”
“For them to destroy it again?”
Rhi searched the crowd to find who asked the question, but she couldn’t determine who it was. “Hopefully, we have all learned from the past. But that is also what the council is for. Instead of the Light and Dark being separate with two different rulers always trying to outdo each other, why not join the two races. It won’t be easy, but it can be done.” When no one replied, Rhi continued. “A specific number of seats will be determined.”
A man in the front asked, “An even number of seats? That would make it difficult to break a tie.”
“There would indeed have to be an odd number of seats,” Rhi replied.
A woman in the back shook her head in agitation. “You want me to accept that the Dark would have more seats than us?”
“The Dark will say the same,” Rhi retorted. She lifted her chin. “Take a page from the mortals. There will be elections, with the terms of those sitting on the council rotating so no one remains for centuries. Not all elections will be held at the same time. They’ll be staggered.”
The man in the front said, “That sounds good, but that still doesn’t address who will make up the odd number.”
“I think the best way to do it is if the Dark and Light vote together. We’re not going to have the Dark decide theirs and then we decide ours. No. It should all be done together, and the top … seven votes will be our council. Once the council is determined, then those on it will cast their votes on who the head council member is.”
Rhi waited to get flack, and for several moments, there was nothing. When arguments did arise, it was the idea of the Light and Dark voting together. The fact that the elders only had that to bicker about was trivial compared to the rest.
“First step accomplished,” Con whispered.
She cut her eyes to him and shot him a smile. She had wanted to wait until after they were mated before she called the elders together, but Con had talked her into doing it before they left the Light Castle. In the end, he’d been right.
“Will you sit on the council?” someone asked.
Rhi faced the crowd once more and parted her lips, unsure of how to answer.
It was Con who said, “If she’s voted in, of course, Rhi will. When has she ever abandoned the Fae?”
She wanted to throw herself at him and kiss him until the morning. Instead, she gave him a bright smile and mouthed, “I love you.”
Rhi hadn’t intended to sit on the council, but Con was right. If she was voted in, she would do it.
“I suppose you should talk to the Dark now,” the stern woman said. “I doubt they’ll go for it, but if they do, then we’ll give it a try.”
Rhi could hardly believe her luck. She turned away as the elders filed out. She bit her lip and giddily grasped Con’s hand as they walked toward her chambers. “Can you believe that worked?”
“Of course.”
“Now, I just need to have Noreen talk to the Dark.”
Con halted and faced her. “Sweetheart, you have to go to the Dark. They doona know Noreen. They know you.”
“Ugh,” she said and rolled her eyes as her shoulders drooped. “Why do you always have to be right?”
“Because I am.” He kissed the top of her head. “Ready?”
She widened her eyes at him. “Now?”
“No time like the present.”
She grumbled but teleported them both outside of the Dark Palace. The guards at the door glanced at each other before one rushed inside.
“That doesn’t bode well,” Rhi rumbled.
Con laughed softly. “It’ll be fine.”
Once more, he was right. It looked as if Rhi would have to get used to telling him that. In less than thirty minutes of their arrival, the elders from the Dark families stood in the palace. She, Con, and the generals of the Dark Army stood on the stairs to be seen.
Rhi spent the next twenty minutes going over everything she had spoken to the Light about—even the part about the Fae Realm. It was difficult to tell what the Dark were thinking since most wore surly expressions.
“You healed the Fae Realm?” someone asked.
Rhi turned her head in the direction of the voice. “By accident.”
“Is it true you’re Usaeil’s daughter?” someone else asked.
She blew out a breath. “It’s true. I have a claim to the Light Throne, and I’ve taken it, but only to call Usaeil out to answer for her crimes. I don’t want to be queen, and I believe the way the Light and Dark have been governed all these millennia is wrong. It’s time to forge a new path.”
“Who counts the votes?” a male asked.
“Be ready,” Con cautioned Merrill and Varek.
He didn’t care that it appeared as if Usaeil were dead. Rhi had killed her the first time, and look what had happened. However, Moreann was no longer alive and able to snatch Usaeil’s body away at the last minute.
But that didn’t mean Con would let his guard down.
He looked around and found every Fae watching Rhi. Even the Dark appeared in awe of her. Not that Con blamed them. Rhi had climbed higher than most, only to hit rock bottom before clawing her way up again, stronger than ever before.
She was devoted to her people, steadfast with those she cared about, and unwavering for those she loved. She was noble, trustworthy, and utterly devoted to whatever she believed in. Whenever a friend was in need, Rhi never hesitated to help however she could, even going so far as to put her very life in danger.
Rhi was one in a million.
A breeze blew in, lifting the ends of her hair that hung from the ponytail. She stared down at Usaeil for a long moment before she called her sword to her. Con tensed. He covered Usaeil with magic so no one could take her from the area. His gaze lowered to Usaeil. Her end had been a painful one, but after all the deaths she’d caused, she’d reaped what she sowed.
Suddenly, Rhi lifted her sword above her head, holding it with both hands. Then she let out a battle cry and sliced downward. The blade cut through Usaeil’s neck cleanly. The former queen’s head rolled toward him, her red eyes seeming to look straight at Con.
Rhi turned on her heel and returned to his side. Then, her silver eyes met his. “Burn her.”
He issued a nod to Merrill and Varek. Both Kings drew in deep breaths before directing dragon fire onto Usaeil’s body. The heat didn’t bother Con, but he saw sweat soon covering Rhi. It was over as quickly as it had begun, however. When the Dragon Kings closed their mouths, there was nothing left of Usaeil but ash.
What remained of the Queen’s Guard moved forward, and using magic, they directed the ash away from the castle. When the last bits were finally gone, the guard turned as one to Rhi and lowered to one knee, their heads bowed, and their right fists held over their hearts. Con smiled as he looked at Rhi. The Light would only flourish under her leadership.
“Please, rise,” Rhi said to the guards. Then she turned toward the castle and the Light who watched her. “A new era has begun for the Light.” A cheer went up, but Rhi ignored it as she then turned to the Dark. “I can say the same for the Dark. Because we are more than Light or Dark. We are Fae!” she declared as she turned to speak to all of them.
As more cheers broke out, Rhi looked at Con, a wide smile on her lips. He took her hand and pulled her to him. He held her close as he realized how lucky he was to have her.
“You’re amazing,” he told her.
She chuckled and leaned back to look at him as she locked her arms around his neck. “I learned from the best—you.”
“A compliment?” he teased. “I’m no’ sure what to do with that.”
Her black brows rose as she gave him a stern look that was ruined by her grin. “Get used to it, because I’m going to shower you with them.”
“Only if I can do the same.”
“You better. Because flattery will get you everywhere.”
They both laughed as he gazed at her. Con shook his head. “I love you. I’ve always loved you. You may no’ believe th—”
“Shhh,” she told him as she put a finger on his lips to silence him. Her expression was serious as she briefly dropped her gaze to his chest before meeting his eyes again. “I know why you ended things. It was the right thing to do. I see that now. I should’ve seen it long ago.”
“You were hurt,” he said as he moved her finger away.
“Maybe. But I knew you. I knew how much you loved me. I should’ve realized that you’d never do anything that drastic without a very good reason.”
Con gave a little shake of his head. “I put my brethren before you.”
“As you should have.”
“You were my mate. You should have come first.”
She smiled softly and cupped his cheek. “But you aren’t just any Dragon King, my love. You’re King of Dragon Kings, and that means your people will always come first.”
“You’re my people. You’re my heart, Rhiannon. When you’re with me, I’m a better dragon, man, and leader. You call me on my mistakes and help me achieve the peace I never thought possible. I know I’ve a lot to do before I can win your heart again, and I understand that.”
She pulled back, her face creased in a deep frown. “Excuse me? Did you not just hear what I said? I’m yours. I’ve always been yours. Even before we knew each other, I was yours. I just waited to find you. Then I had you for a little while, but I had to lose you again because the path I needed to walk had to be taken alone.”
“It shouldna have been that way.”
“It doesn’t matter. None of that matters now because we’re together. I love you. So much. You can’t even fathom how much.”
He grinned and gave her a soft, lingering kiss. “I have an idea.”
“Con,” Varek called through their mental link.
Con looked up and saw that the Dark weren’t sure what to do. One of the generals made his way to them. Con blew out a breath. “We’ll have to finish this later. Right now, we need to let the Dark return home.”
“Yes,” Rhi said as they faced the general.
The Dark stopped before them and bowed his head, first to Con and then to Rhi. In a thick Irish accent, he said, “I’m Reland, a general of the Dark Army, and I’ve come to ask that we be allowed to return to the palace.”
“Who will take the throne?” Rhi asked.
Reland shrugged, his lips twisting. “A handful wanted it, and had the strength to take it, but Usaeil killed them.”
“Your feelings about Balladyn were clear,” Con said.
The general ran a hand through his short, black and silver hair. “I didn’t like his tactics at first. Balladyn kept his intentions hidden, but looking back, I believe he did it because he knew that the Dark wouldn’t want to go in the direction he pointed us.”
“I’m sure there are many who are glad he’s gone,” Rhi said.
Reland shook his head slowly. “Not as many as you might think. Balladyn was good for us. He was honest. When we followed him here the first time you fought Usaeil, he gave us the option of fighting or not. No ruler of the Dark has ever done that before. For a long time, we were nothing but the evil ones, the ones who betrayed each other to get to the top. He showed us there was another way.”
“And yet, he was betrayed,” Con pointed out.
The general paused as he looked at the ground. “Balladyn’s rule might have been short, but it will have a lasting effect on all of us.”
Rhi drew in a breath and asked, “I may call on some of you at a later date for a meeting. I hope you attend.”
“It would be an honor,” Reland said as he bowed with a flourish.
As the general walked away, Con looked to his Kings to begin removing the shield. Once it was done, the Dark jumped back to the Dark Palace.
“What are you planning?” Con asked Rhi.
She shrugged and wrapped her arm around his waist. “You’ll have to wait and see.”
“I’m no’ the patient sort.”
Rhi giggled as he rested an arm across her shoulders. “Looks like this will be a good time to learn.”
“Minx,” he teased with a grin.
“Oh, you’ve not seen anything yet.”
Their banter came to an end when they started toward the castle. Fae were pouring out, trying to get Rhi’s attention while they all shouted her name.
A female Queen’s Guard moved before the Fae and raised her hand. “Silence!”
To Con’s surprise, the Light listened. He leaned close to Rhi and said, “She’s good.”
“Her name is Selos, and I agree. I’ve been watching her these past few days.”
“Meaning?”
“I’m going to make her Captain.”
Somehow, Con wasn’t surprised.
Rhi teleported them both to her chambers. It wasn’t long before there was a knock on the door, and Merrill was calling Con’s name.
“Enter,” Rhi beckoned.
Selos opened the door for Merrill and Varek. Merrill shot the Fae a frown as he walked past her and into the room. Con hid his grin.
“I kept telling her you’d want to see us,” Merrill said as he shook his head. “But she didna believe me.”
Varek rolled his eyes. “Imagine that.”
Rhi laughed and walked to the sofa to sit. She took off her boots and set her feet on the coffee table, crossing one ankle over the other.
“I’ve already told Ulrik the news,” Varek said.
Con walked to stand beside the sofa. “I appreciate that. Is all good at Dreagan?”
“Appears so. It also looks as if things are fine here,” Merrill added.
Varek grinned wickedly. “I’m sure you two want some alone time.”
“We certainly do,” Rhi said and looked up at Con.
He chuckled as he gazed down at her. “You two can return to Dreagan.”
Rhi frowned as she dropped her feet to the rug and stood. “You’re sending them to Dreagan?”
“The Light are safe.”
“I wanted us to go to Dreagan.”
Now he was confused. “You’re the queen. You need to remain here.”
“You’re King of Kings. You should be at Dreagan. Besides, you’ve spent enough time here.”
He reached for her, pulling her to him. “What’s going on?”
“I know I’m Fae, but I don’t belong here.”
“You’ve always loved the castle.”
She sighed and flattened her hands on his chest. “I may love the castle, but it’s not where I want to live. I want to live at Dreagan.”
“The Light need their queen here.”
“And the Kings need their King at Dreagan,” she argued.
Con glanced up, intending to tell Varek and Merrill to leave, but the two were already gone. “Rhi, what’s going on?”
“I’m not going to be queen.”
He studied her for a long moment before he nodded slowly. “You’re thinking about what Moreann said regarding you and Noreen.”
“I am.”
“That was one of many paths you could’ve taken. It’s no’ the one you’re on now.”
“Why can’t it be?” she countered. “Think about it. Both the Light and Dark are set up perfectly for there to be a council to govern both. It makes sense, and hopefully, it will stop us from constantly fighting the other.”
He rubbed his hands up and down her arms. “There will always be Light who will fight the Dark and vice versa. That will never change.”
“I know. The council will help with that. I’m not saying it’ll be easy. In fact, the easy road would be to find someone to take the Dark throne. But I know in my gut that the right decision is to set up a council.”
Con drew in a breath. “If that’s what you think, then I’ll help out in any way you need.”
“Right now, all I can think of is that I’m finally back in your arms. I don’t care about the past or the years we lost. All I want to think about is right now and that you love me.”
“There is one other thing I would like for you to think about.”
She cocked her head to the side. “What’s that?”
“Becoming my mate. I’ve waited my entire life for you.”
“Constantine, King of Dragon Kings, just tell me when to be there to make it official.”
He ran the pads of his fingers along her cheek. “Right now.”
She laughed and rose up on her tiptoes to kiss him. “I’m fairly certain those at Dreagan will want more time. Besides, I need to shop.”
“Come naked for all I care. I only want you there.”
“Just try and stop me,” she said with a smile.
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
The silence in the hall was deafening after she’d finished speaking. Rhi stared at the elders of each family that she had called together. There was surprise on some faces, while others looked confused, and even more who didn’t bother to hide their anger.
“The Dark and Light have battled for too long,” she said. “The Fae Realm was nearly destroyed.”
“You mean it was destroyed,” someone corrected her.
Con stood beside her. She’d thought he might speak up, but he had yet to say anything. Still, she was glad that he was there.
“The Fae Realm is healing. I … I began it. There is a habitable portion that is larger than all of Ireland. It’s enough for the Fae to return.”
One of the females crossed her arms over her chest. “How are we to believe you?”
“Go look for yourself. I’ve built two new doorways right from this castle to the Fae Realm. One will lead you inside the healed area, and the other to the outside so you can see that it is the Fae Realm,” Rhi told them.
“Why would we go back there?”
Rhi glanced at Con. “This was never our world. We came here because we had nowhere else to go. The Dragon Kings allowed us to stay, but even then, we attacked them. The Light have had an alliance with them for some time, but the Dark continued to cause trouble. For those who want to return to the Fae Realm, I say we let them.”
“For them to destroy it again?”
Rhi searched the crowd to find who asked the question, but she couldn’t determine who it was. “Hopefully, we have all learned from the past. But that is also what the council is for. Instead of the Light and Dark being separate with two different rulers always trying to outdo each other, why not join the two races. It won’t be easy, but it can be done.” When no one replied, Rhi continued. “A specific number of seats will be determined.”
A man in the front asked, “An even number of seats? That would make it difficult to break a tie.”
“There would indeed have to be an odd number of seats,” Rhi replied.
A woman in the back shook her head in agitation. “You want me to accept that the Dark would have more seats than us?”
“The Dark will say the same,” Rhi retorted. She lifted her chin. “Take a page from the mortals. There will be elections, with the terms of those sitting on the council rotating so no one remains for centuries. Not all elections will be held at the same time. They’ll be staggered.”
The man in the front said, “That sounds good, but that still doesn’t address who will make up the odd number.”
“I think the best way to do it is if the Dark and Light vote together. We’re not going to have the Dark decide theirs and then we decide ours. No. It should all be done together, and the top … seven votes will be our council. Once the council is determined, then those on it will cast their votes on who the head council member is.”
Rhi waited to get flack, and for several moments, there was nothing. When arguments did arise, it was the idea of the Light and Dark voting together. The fact that the elders only had that to bicker about was trivial compared to the rest.
“First step accomplished,” Con whispered.
She cut her eyes to him and shot him a smile. She had wanted to wait until after they were mated before she called the elders together, but Con had talked her into doing it before they left the Light Castle. In the end, he’d been right.
“Will you sit on the council?” someone asked.
Rhi faced the crowd once more and parted her lips, unsure of how to answer.
It was Con who said, “If she’s voted in, of course, Rhi will. When has she ever abandoned the Fae?”
She wanted to throw herself at him and kiss him until the morning. Instead, she gave him a bright smile and mouthed, “I love you.”
Rhi hadn’t intended to sit on the council, but Con was right. If she was voted in, she would do it.
“I suppose you should talk to the Dark now,” the stern woman said. “I doubt they’ll go for it, but if they do, then we’ll give it a try.”
Rhi could hardly believe her luck. She turned away as the elders filed out. She bit her lip and giddily grasped Con’s hand as they walked toward her chambers. “Can you believe that worked?”
“Of course.”
“Now, I just need to have Noreen talk to the Dark.”
Con halted and faced her. “Sweetheart, you have to go to the Dark. They doona know Noreen. They know you.”
“Ugh,” she said and rolled her eyes as her shoulders drooped. “Why do you always have to be right?”
“Because I am.” He kissed the top of her head. “Ready?”
She widened her eyes at him. “Now?”
“No time like the present.”
She grumbled but teleported them both outside of the Dark Palace. The guards at the door glanced at each other before one rushed inside.
“That doesn’t bode well,” Rhi rumbled.
Con laughed softly. “It’ll be fine.”
Once more, he was right. It looked as if Rhi would have to get used to telling him that. In less than thirty minutes of their arrival, the elders from the Dark families stood in the palace. She, Con, and the generals of the Dark Army stood on the stairs to be seen.
Rhi spent the next twenty minutes going over everything she had spoken to the Light about—even the part about the Fae Realm. It was difficult to tell what the Dark were thinking since most wore surly expressions.
“You healed the Fae Realm?” someone asked.
Rhi turned her head in the direction of the voice. “By accident.”
“Is it true you’re Usaeil’s daughter?” someone else asked.
She blew out a breath. “It’s true. I have a claim to the Light Throne, and I’ve taken it, but only to call Usaeil out to answer for her crimes. I don’t want to be queen, and I believe the way the Light and Dark have been governed all these millennia is wrong. It’s time to forge a new path.”
“Who counts the votes?” a male asked.
