Lilly smiled. “Now I know where the girls learned to get around the rules.” She was trying not to let her nerves get the better of her, but knowing that Lysander wasn’t the only enemy she had on her doorstep was testing her resolve. The book she’d picked up was clutched to her chest as she turned to face the inside of the hidden entrance to the mountain. She could do this. She had to do this.
“Lilly!” Peri’s sharp tone was not appreciated. Judging by the irritated look on her face, she’d called Lilly’s name more than once.
“What?” Lilly said, still clinging to the book, as if it would somehow protect her.
“I’ll deal with Ainsel. You focus on Lysander and do what I told you, at least until I give you the signal. Okay?”
“Okay.” Lilly nodded. “Focus on Lysander and wait for the signal.”
“Perfect.” Peri held her hand up to the front of the mountain. She spoke in the warlock language, and the massive, hidden entrance began to open. Then she flashed and was gone.
“Wait, what signal?” Lilly called out as if the high fae could hear her. She looked behind her to see if Nissa knew, but Cindy and Nissa were both gone as well. Lilly was left standing there as the entrance continued to open, still completely unaware of what the damn signal was. “Stupid, not helpful, butthead high fae,” she muttered under her breath.
“Don’t forget to read from the page I’ve marked for you.” Cypher’s voice came from beside her. Lilly didn’t jump this time, but she did let out a startled breath.
“Warning, mate, you’re supposed to give me a warning,” she said and turned to look up at him. He was so handsome. And solid. He looked as if he was really here with her, not just some manifestation of his soul. Lilly bit her lip, hard. She didn’t have time for tears.
“I’ll be with you, beloved,” Cypher said. His hand was on her lower back, and even as he faded from sight, she still felt it there. She also felt when he pressed her forward so that she had to take a step or risk stumbling.
“Still bossy,” she muttered as she began walking toward the opening. Lilly took several deep breaths, releasing them slowly. She looked down at the book and let it fall open. It automatically fluttered to the page Cypher had made sure was translated to English. She looked up and took a few more steps forward, pulling her shoulders back and lifting her chin. You can do this. Then her stride increased as she let the anger inside rise to the top. The anger pushed aside all other emotions. She thought about how the warlock people were suffering over the loss of their king and how Lysander dared to divide them at such a time when they needed to be united. How dare he? Lilly’s hands tightened around the book. How dare he show up at her doorstep and think to challenge her, the queen of their people anointed by their late king? She felt Cypher’s power filling her, starting at her feet and rising. It moved up her legs, thighs, hips, stomach, neck, and all the way to her head until she felt like a walking electrical storm. She could hear her feet as they crackled against the floor, as if tiny lightning bolts were striking with every step. Oh yes, she was good and pissed when she finally stepped out into the early morning air. The sun had yet to rise, but the moon was so bright it illuminated the forest. She had no trouble seeing her enemy.
To her surprise, Peri was waiting on her left side and Lucian on her right.
“Stop there,” Peri said in a very soft voice as Lilly stepped slightly in front of the fae and her mate.
Lilly looked out at the group of people waiting outside. They were gathered in a semicircle, leaving a small space open between her and Lysander, who stood about thirty feet away from the entrance to her mountain, her home. His own clan stood behind him, but the group making up the semicircle was her army. Gerick stood at the bottom of the steps leading up to the mountain’s entrance. His eyes roamed the area, no doubt watching for any sort of sudden pixie invasion.
“I’ve come—” Lysander began, but she cut him off.
“First,” Lilly said, her voice unnaturally amplified, courtesy of her friendly high fae, no doubt. “You will speak only after I have spoken. Second, you will address me appropriately when you speak. Third,” Lilly bit out the word, “how dare you come to the home of my clan during a time of mourning with your illegitimate challenge? And fourth, consorting with the enemy? Really, Lysander? I didn’t realize even you could stoop that low.”
His eyes widened, but the surprise lasted only a second as he quickly composed himself.
“Now,” Lilly continued, “you have come with the intention of challenging my rightful place to the throne, have you not?”
“Yes, your highness, I’ve—”
“And you’ve done your research on when it is appropriate to bring a challenge forward?” Lilly asked, cutting him off again.
“Of course, your highness, I wouldn’t—”
“Then,” Lilly snapped, completely ignoring the fact that he was again trying to continue speaking, “you must be aware that you have no right to challenge me at such a time as this.” She rushed on before he could speak. “As it is written in our laws…” Lilly looked down at the book and read. “When a king or queen takes the throne and is of a different bloodline than the previous ruler, any clan leader has a right to challenge the newly appointed ruler. This is so the ruler may prove they have the power to rule and
