Page 77 of Queen of Serpents and Shadows

Athos had been through too much in such a short time. They needed us to defeat the Fae King so we could finally find safety. Maybe we could open our doors, expand trade and travel. I found a giddy sense of hope as I considered our potential alliance with Thebes and our newfound alliance with Drakous. I glanced over at Ryvin. “Are you planning to take over Konos when this is done?”

He stiffened. “I never planned to rule Konos.”

“Will Laera take over, then?” I asked.

“Please no,” Vanth cut in. “Besides, she’ll be heir to the Court of Vipers.”

“Let’s defeat the current ruler before we worry about who takes his place,” Ryvin replied.

It was interesting to see how he reacted. Growing up, it was always expected that Lagina would rule. I was next in line, but planned to pass it to Cora if anything happened. I wondered what Ryvin’s plan had been since he was the eldest. Was it never discussed since the Fae King was immortal?

We were nearly to the palace and could see the wide open gates. Beyond them, there were people everywhere. I noticed blue uniforms dotted throughout the masses. The guards looked like they were directing people while others were handing things out.

Ryvin stopped and lifted his arm into the air. “Do you feel that?”

I stilled next to him and glanced over at Vanth. The shifter was also reaching his hand into the air.

“It’s like the one on the island,” Vanth said.

“Not as strong, though,” Rvyin replied.

“It’s easy to breach,” Vanth said, extending his hand.

Brows furrowed, I followed their motions and touched something cold and strange in the air. I couldn’t see anything, but there was a definite change. “What is that?”

“Shield. They must have gotten an old one up and running,” Ryvin said as he stepped forward. He frowned. “They’ll need to fortify it better. It didn’t keep me out and I’m half fae. It won’t be of much use if fae can walk right through.”

Vanth crossed the invisible line next, shrugging when he was beside Ryvin. “Didn’t stop a shifter, either.”

Nervously, I took a few steps. Cold sliced through me, making me gasp. But it was gone so quickly, I wondered if I’d imagined it. “So that’s a magical shield?”

“Yes, but it’s weak,” Ryvin said.

“We were hoping you’d return before we finished setting it up,” Laera called.

I grinned when I saw her.

“Welcome back. It’s nice to see all of you still breathing,” she said. “Come on, I’ll walk you in and catch you up on what you missed along the way.”

We found Lagina in the study, pouring over maps and plans with Argus and two generals who’d worked under my father.

They all stopped when we entered, and Lagina abandoned her maps to race toward me. She pulled me into an embrace. “Thank the gods you’ve returned.” Holding me out at arm’s distance, she studied me. “You’re alright?”

“I’m fine,” I assured her.

“And you did it? Bested Nyx?” she asked.

“I survived her challenges,” I replied. “I wouldn’t say I bested her. She got her licks in.”

“I’m sorry. I want to hear all about it, but Laera says her father is on his way,” Lagina said. “And we’re having some concerns with our new allies.”

“She wants us to work with vampires,” one of the generals said, not hidinghis disdain.

“You’re looking for sympathy in the wrong place,” I retorted. “I’m half god.” I pointed to Ryvin, Vanth, and Laera. “And you’ve got a half-god, half fae, a shifter, and a full fae. And those vampires are offering to help us.”

“We lost half our men because of him,” the general snarled, turning his glare on Ryvin.

“And I killed your king,” Ryvin replied.

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