Seducing Destiny(103)
“Nope, guess again,” I said as I smiled back at him.
“That is the only thing they wanted!”
“Nope, they came in and used a spell on the Tree of Life, which wrapped it in ice. You allowed Faery’s enemy in, and you allowed them to harm her. That alone is treason against Faery, Dresden. What do you say to the charges?” Ryder asked, his eyes watching his enemy with deadly intent, which he was barely containing.
He looked at me and Ryder and opened and closed his mouth several times before he sneered. “Then depose me!”
“Is that what you have to say to the charges against you?” Ryder asked, as his eyes took on a deadly intent.
“You won’t depose me! You’ll do as your father before you would,” Dresden hissed.
“If you won’t depose us, then why are we here?” Tatiana demanded.
“Because I will depose you, sister,” Madisyn said sadly her eyes watching her sister as she said the words.
“Because I will depose you,” Lasair smiled, and whispered it against the top of Madisyn’s head. Liam nodded as his brands slithered over his arms.
“I will also depose you,” Kier said as he stepped out with his wife, and Adam, who also agreed and echoed his words.
“Dresden, Tatiana,” Ryder said as he released his hold on me and stepped forward. “As the Heirs and royalty of Faery, together we’ve decided your offences against Faery cannot go unpunished. You will be stripped of your titles and removed from Faery henceforth. You can seek refuge with the Mages if you decide to, since you’ve already taken a side against this world, and chosen the enemies’ bed. Your children may remain, and if Danu so chooses to pick one as the Heir, we will welcome them. You have one day to exit Faery, or you will be forcefully removed. The Light warriors will be made aware of your imminent departure. Alazander put you on the throne, as you were Danu’s chosen Heir at the time, I am sure Danu will remedy that decision in light of your treachery. A steward will rule in your stead until the Light Heir is found, or another has been chosen.”
“You can’t do that! You have no bloody right to kick us out of this world!” Dresden shouted.
I watched as Ryder transformed effortlessly. The entire assembly took a step away from him, except me. “I have the right given to me by Danu when she chose me as Heir of the Horde; what you have done is treason against this world, our world. I did not make this choice alone or without the council of the other Castes. This wasn’t me just taking you out, which would have been a simple matter. I am not my father, but I am the King of the Horde and I have his beast, one which I can fully allow out if you choose to stay in Faery. The hounds will patrol your borders tonight, and if any of the Mages remain, they’ll be slaughtered in the name of Faery. This was the Blood King’s choice for you as well,” Ryder said and tilted his head to Lasair. “The Dark King thought you shouldn’t be allowed to live; I fear you made a decision out of cowardice, and so that is how you will live. I suggest you choose your location and activities wisely. Do not make war with us, for we, unlike you, are the Heirs of Faery. You’re dismissed.”
Tatiana stared at me. “You little bitch,” she hissed. “This is not over!”
“You are also dismissed, Auntie,” I said calmly, keeping my anger pushed down and harnessed.
“You said they would come to us! You said nothing would happen to us, or our Kingdom!” Tatiana cried as she turned her anger to her husband. We watched as the Guards escorted them from the throne room, and then I turned and smiled at Adam and Liam.