Page 153 of The Edge of Darkness

Auren didn’t give him the satisfaction of a response. Her expression remained impressively blank.

The shadowfire surged beneath my skin, wanting to enact more violence. I tilted my head like a predator assessing its next meal, watching Killian squirm. When he groaned with more desperation, and the veins in his neck began to bulge, Auren turned to me.

“Niall . . .” Concern rippled down the bond as she held my attention and reminded me with just a look that we were in a room full of my court members, and they were not used to seeing my power like this.

I reeled my shadowfire back into me and let Killian fall to the ground.

Slowly, he gathered himself and stood, straightening his lapels and trying to regain his dignity.

He found Breck in the crowd next. “And you”—he pointed—“you traitorous bastard! I’ll see to it that you suffer the same.”

Breck squared his shoulders as he said, “I look forward to it.”

Killian took a step, but Silas was there, moving to stop him.

I threw my hand up. “Let him go. The death of one High Lord is enough for today.”

Silas shook out his wings and stepped aside, allowing Killian to make his way out of the temple’s only exit. My court hissed and cursed at the High Lord as he passed them by. He didn’t dare look back when he reached the entrance. He simply ported the moment he crossed the threshold.

The guests gathered their wits, a mixture of uncertainty and disbelief etched into most of the faces as they waited to see what would transpire next.

“Well, that was rather interesting.” I tossed a look at Aremis and lifted a brow.

“Apologies,” he said with a hint of embarrassment. “I didn’t expect Ramil to try and manipulate me.”

I laid a firm hand on his shoulder, wondering what exactly had happened, and why he had neglected his mental shield in the first place. “You all right?”

He nodded, forgiveness beckoning in his stare.

“Then all is well,” I said, offering him a slight grin.

“Now,” I announced to the room. “Where were we? Ah, yes. There is a new High Lord in our midst, which is worthy of its due celebration. However, this evening belongs to my Lady.”

I turned to Auren and summoned something she wasn’t expecting.

A crown.

“Darling, I believe this belongs to you.”

The solid gold crown was adorned with six pointed arches, each of them holding a black stone at their tip. It was simple, elegant, and commanding. And it was the twin to mine. The set had belonged to Gavrin and Lyra, Evander’s parents.

“May I?” I asked.

Auren dipped her chin, and I placed it on her head, then summoned my own. I pulled her to me and pressed a kiss to her forehead, and the entire chamber gave a gentle applause.

“I would also like to take this time to introduce the new faces you see amongst my faithful Trium. Maeson”—I nodded toward her—“is an old friend of mine, and is one of our newest, and dare I say, greatest healers. Silas”—I gestured in his direction as he made his way down the stairs—“is Auren’s Dionach. And Nivelle”—I settled my gaze on her—“is the witch who has convinced her goddess to send aid for the war that is to come.”

Nivelle shot me a look, knowing that it was I who lured her goddess to our aid, not her.

Relax, I said into her mind.

She jumped, her eyes flaring wide with panic upon hearing me inside her head for the first time.

Relax, I repeated. I’m trying to win my court’s favor for you and the rest of the witches.

When she realized I was only speaking into her mind, and not invading her thoughts, her panic abated, though she did not reply.

All around us, my court began to murmur at the mention of war, and I held up my hands to settle them. “I do not want any of you to be fearful, but war is on the horizon. Lyceius is preparing his legions again, and so are we. For those of you who were alive during the last war, you can rest assured that we have many things in our arsenal that we did not have in previous battles. But the time to dwell on that is not now. Tonight, I would like for you all to feast and celebrate with us. You will find that, just outside, a proper celebration awaits. We will join you all shortly.”