guild of hunters, and the day we take Spokane back and make it a haven for those in need of a safe place to go.”
“That’s why I’m here,” Adrian snorted, pulling out a hundred-and-fifty-year-old bottle of scotch. Alden pushed aside a broken cabinet door, withdrawing four dirty, soot-covered glasses. I whispered a spell, adding fae magic, and smiled as the glasses came clean. “Here’s to a new adventure and old friends. To the ones who gave their all, and to the ones out there fighting to get home, may they all find peace and feel no more pain.” He smiled at me, kissing the top of my head as we exhaled.
“That was a good toast,” I admitted.
“He must be getting smarter in his old age,” Adrian snorted, patting Adam on the back. “I cannot believe this place is operational again. I’m proud of us; we’ve come pretty far from the mouthy punk kids that thought we could run it one day.”
“Yes, you did, and I’m thankful you guys are at my side today. I couldn’t think of a better makeshift coven to open the new guild, even if you’re no longer witches. I’m proud of you all, and of whom you have become. You never lost sight of who we were forging you to become, even though you changed into what we feared at the time. You taught me more than a lifetime of learning could, and good fucking lord, you taught me patience while trying mine to the limits. You put me through hell and showed me that rules could be broken. You ready to help me run this guild correctly?”
“That’s why we’re here,” I said, watching the liquid amber as it filled my glass. “That’s why we’re all here again.”
Chapter Six
Back at the castle, I paused inside the throne room as the men came into view. Ryder and his brothers were arguing about where to place troops and where to reinforce against attacks. I hiccupped and snorted simultaneously, knowing I was gone entirely too long since time moved differently between worlds. A dark head lifted from the table, and I watched as narrowed amber eyes settled on me.
“Where the hell have you been?” Ryder demanded as power erupted inside the room.
I didn’t respond, not when he was oozing anger mixed with power, creating a palpable force that fought to smother and intimidate me. It slithered over my flesh, pulsing through me with the intensity of everything that made him the King of the Horde.
“Fucking answer me, woman.” Ryder slammed his hand down on the table, never taking his eyes from me. “You were gone for days, Synthia. I told you that you could only have a few minutes at the guild because you were needed here. You do realize your obligation is to this kingdom now, right? Do you understand me?” Everyone around Ryder looked away, pretending to be engrossed in the map at the center of the table as they listened to every word he growled at me.
“And what is my obligation?” Tilting my head, I crossed my arms over my chest and smirked, not backing down even though we had an audience.
“You’re supposed to be my queen and help me run this kingdom, or did you forget that already?” Lifting his head in the air, Ryder inhaled deeply and glared at me. “Tell me, how is Adrian? I can smell him on you.”
“He’s great,” I snorted, swaying on my feet.
“Are you drunk?” His power intensified inside the room at his sudden spike of fresh anger.
“A little.” I shrugged my shoulders and smiled. Okay, so it was probably more than just a little. But hey, I was with my coven. We were celebrating the reopening of what had once been our home, and I’d earned a fucking break. I’d been cooped up in this place since the day Erie took Hell’s army and marched off with it.
“You’re supposed to be here helping me run this castle and prepare for war, Synthia. You were gone for days.”
“Last I heard, you didn’t need or want my help running your kingdom.”