My brow creased. “That’s true, but until he shows his hand, it’s speculation, and all we can do is prepare ourselves for every possible outcome. He wanted to provoke me, force me into making the first discernible move, but I refuse to give him that satisfaction. It may not make much of a difference, but if he wants to take me down, he’ll have to play the antagonist.”

“Alright,” my mate said, though he didn’t seem reassured. I had a hunch as to why as soon as he dropped his gaze to the floor, lost in his thoughts.

“You are worried for me,” I said, and he looked up, his head bobbing.

“Of course I am.”

“You have no need to be, though I know that will not stop you.” He huffed a small laugh, the sound flat. “You have my word, I will not be reckless, and I will not accept his challenge until I have us in a position to beat him.”

His eyes studied me, those shimmering pools of the most ethereal blue, so gentle and trusting, tunneling into my very soul. He must have found what he was looking for as the tension in his frame eased somewhat, and he sent me a genuine smile. “Okay. I’m with you. Whatever has to be done.”

I fed him my appreciation through our bond, reveling in the love I was returned, before addressing the room once again. “I have Rathe continuing his work to quietly gather our forces and muster my supporters in each province,” I informed them. “Zadok, those outsiders you mentioned that would fight for me? Put the word out to them. As a precaution. We need everyone we can get.”

Zadok nodded.

“The Shades will stand beside you,” Cee announced, her blood-chilling voice drifting from where she perched on a desk in the corner. “Your father is the reason I am separated from the woman I love. My mate. I have waited over a hundred years to see his downfall, so I can finally return to her side.”

A brief glance at Luca suggested that particular anecdote had piqued his interest, and I could almost detect the instant he filed it away for later. I stifled the fond smile tugging at my lips. “You’ll get your wish, I guarantee it.”

“Woah, back up…” Gary cut in, mouth full of cake and his eyes bugging. “You’re mated?! I’ve worked with you for nearly five years, and I’ve literally had your fist up my ass, how did I not know this?”

That creature and my human shared a penchant for information, it seemed, though Luca at least had the fine skill of knowing when not to pry.

Or airing out his sexual experiences for all to hear.

Cee glared at him, her hand instinctively reaching toward the dagger in her belt, but surprisingly, it was Flick who spoke up. “Not the time, lad.”