Page 81 of Luca

Suddenly, he shoved himself off me, gripping my biceps to hold me in place, his face twisted in fury. “As soon as we got your letter, I tried storming to the Fae realm to kill the fucker myself,” he said, and I didn’t doubt that he meant it. “But the Veil spat me back out.”

From the corner of my eye, I saw Teighan’s jaw pop at the recollection. He’d obviously had his work cut out for him with his mate the last few weeks. I sympathized. I knew how confrontational Alex could get about the people he cared for, but normally he’d threaten to hire a hitman when his opponent was beyond his capabilities. I guessed he’d felt confident enough—or had temporarily lost his sanity—to take on the Fae king himself.

All power to him.

Glad it hadn’t worked, but still. The thought counted.

“Well, I appreciate the sentiment,” I said, smiling at my best friend, suddenly feeling a little choked up. It was probably the leftover emotions from leaving my dad’s. Cair had consoled me in his office before we’d called Alex and Tee here. He’d snuggled me on his lap for over an hour while I’d wept, overwhelmed and gutted, but even with the sense of relief I’d gained from letting it all out, it was still fresh in my mind.

To think, if everything had gone differently, I wouldn’t have seen Alex again. Or anyone. Wouldn’t have stood in the club again, wouldn’t have felt my friend embrace me in his rough way or listened to his inappropriate topics of conversation—or had my eyes graced by another of his hideously bright sweaters. It was all hitting me at once, and I didn’t really know how to process.

Short of bawling my eyes out. But at that point, I didn’t think I had anything left in me.

“It’s good to see you again,” I murmured, my voice cracking, hoping he understood.

His expression softened. “Missed you so much, Lulu.” Of course, he had to go ahead and ruin the moment by ruffling up my hair and adding, “My little wizard.” But he wouldn’t be Alex if he didn’t.

And it helped.

“I never thought our father would make such a bold and reckless move,” Teighan said, his arm automatically circling Alex’s waist as my friend cuddled against his side. “He won’t get away with this.”

“I can count on your help, then?” Cair asked, and Tee gave his brother one of those‘no shit’looks of his that should have had its own trademark.

“Without question,” he asserted. “You are my brother, and I know you would do the same for me if it were Alex.” His hold instinctively tightened on his mate. “Besides, our father has been allowed to abuse his power for too long. I had hoped it wouldn’t come to this, as I know your stance on taking the throne, but the Otherworld deserves a new leader. It is time, Cair. You know it.”

I glanced up at my mate, wondering whether he would mention his flyaway proposal to stand down and set Orian in his place, but he didn’t. There would be time for that yet. “I agree.”

“I want to help too,” Alex offered, determined.

It warmed my heart knowing so many people were ready and willing to defend us. Kor and Igor—along with their mate, and the rest of their family—had already pledged themselves to our cause. Monsters in the Otherworld were lining up to fight for their prince at a second’s notice, those already on his payrollandregular citizens. Plus, Rathe had assured us the numbers would only rise as his word reached the four corners of the land.

It was a huge responsibility. A little terrifying, I wouldn’t lie, but also incredibly encouraging.

“It’s not safe, bird,” Teighan said. “You?—”

“Sunbeam...” Alex cut in, taking a step out of his mate’s reach just so he could thrust his hands onto his hips. “I’m not going to sit here looking pretty while everyone I love kills themselves for a damned throne. I know I would do that job exceptionally well, but that’s irrelevant…”

I snorted.

“There’s bound to be something I can do.” He paused to think. “Yesterday, you mentioned gathering Fae support in the human realm, right?” He looked at Tee, who nodded. “I can assist on that front. I have connections that my mother overlooked when she froze my other assets, and I have my art clientele now. I could put out a word or two, use what little influence I still have. Hell, I’ll even stoop to propaganda posters if it’ll be any use.”

My eyes widened at Alex’s tenacity—not that he hadn’t possessed any before, but not for this. “When did you become adept at war planning?”

He rolled his eyes as if I was asking a ridiculous question. “Um, I’ve been coached since birth to deal with hostile situations,” he reminded me, and yeah, I had known that. It was why getting kidnapped last year had barely fazed him. “Plus, I’m mated to a Faewarrior, what did you expect? He’s been going over strategies since we got your last letter.”

Tee shrugged at Cair’s raised eyebrow. “No harm in being prepared. Just say the word, and whatever plan you choose will be in motion.”

“I knew I could count on you,” Cair said, mildly amused. “I have no doubt Father will already be aware that his assassination attempt failed, so he’ll either be licking his wounds or preparing a new scheme. That should give us the chance to get our bearings and breathe for a day or two.”

As if his words were permission, I let out a tension-reducing exhale. I knew there was a rough road ahead, but being afforded even a modicum of rest before shit hit the fan was appreciated. Maybe there would even be enough time for Cair to finally get his dick in me.Priorities. I wouldn’t lie, I was gagging for it, and with a quick sideways glance at my mate, finding out his heavy gaze was already locked on me, I suspected he’d had the same idea. Great minds.

Alex clapped his hands, making me jolt. “Perfect. That meansyou”—he pointed at me—“are free to tell me all about your trip and the fact that you have fuckingmagic. I always knew you were a special bean. Tee filled me in on your dad and the portal lore once his memories returned, but I wanna know it all.”

Well, I guessed sexy times were on pause for a little longer.

The anticipation may actually kill me. Again.

I peered up at Cair once more, sending him an apologetic look—which he responded to graciously with an amused smile and a nod—before turning my attention back to Alex. A teasing grin played at the corner of my lips. “Hm, I’m sure I can spare a feeew hours in myverybusy mage schedule to chat.”

---