Warrior's Hope (Dark Protectors #16)(97)

Dage nodded. The Realm warriors took a step back, and slowly, all of the injured but still living Cyst and Kurjan soldiers stood.

Vero stared at them, his gaze hard, his jaw set. “I align myself with my brother, Paxton. You have a choice, and you have free will. You accept him as your king, or you leave here and never look back. That goes for every Kurjan and Cyst soldier alive.” He flicked his gaze to the camera.

Paxton jerked next to Hope. “What are you doing?” he snarled.

Vero looked at him, his gaze serious. “This is how it’s done. The line of succession in the Kurjan nation is clear.” He turned back to the soldiers. “Paxton Phoenix is now our king. Declare your allegiance or leave. You are free.”

The assembled Kurjan soldiers looked at each other and then at Vero and then at Pax. One by one, they dropped to one knee and pounded a fist over their heart. Several of the Cyst soldiers did as well, but at least three turned and strode out of camp.

Hope gaped at Paxton, her eyes wide. Pax looked at the group. What in the hell had just happened?





Chapter Forty-Two


Christmas music played in the background as Paxton sat in the Realm conference room, negotiating peace with the Realm. He sat with Dage, who represented the Realm; Talen, who represented the vampire nation; Zane, who represented the demon nation; Brenna Dunne-Kayrs, who represented the witch nation, Jordan Pride, a shifter who represented all the shifter nations; Garrett Kayrs, who represented the Seven; and Hope, who was a strategic liaison between them all. Apparently, he now represented the Kurjan nation, which was a shock to his entire system.

“I don’t want to be the king,” he said. Both Dage and Zane threw back their heads and laughed as if he’d just told the world’s greatest joke.

Dage sobered first. “Nobody wants to be king. I would give my position away in a heartbeat if I could. Sorry, kid. Welcome to the club.”

“Yeah,” Zane muttered. “Believe me, we all know that Garrett’s going to take over for Dage at some point, and then Hunter will probably give Garrett a break when he needs one. At some point, Dage will most likely take over again. But we’re talking hundreds of years from now. If I could find somebody who’d be willing to give me a break, it would be fantastic.”

“Quit your whining,” Talen said. “Both of you. You’ve got jobs to do.”

Paxton wanted to smack all of them. “You all knew you were going to be king from birth. I didn’t.”

“Neither did I,” Zane said. “I had to cut the head off my uncle to become king, and I still didn’t want the job.” His green eyes were appraising. “You’re king. Step up.”

Of course Paxton was going to step up. It’s what he did. He didn’t want to do so, however.

“What’s the status right now?” Dage asked.

Paxton rolled his neck. His body had healed from the battle two hours ago, and yet here he was in Realm territory. He should be with his brother. “The soldiers who swore allegiance to me are being led by Vero and Hunter back to the main headquarters in Canada. I’m going to go there and submit to some coronation celebration before taking over.”

Hope looked up. “Hunter is still a Kurjan in disguise?”

“Yes,” Paxton said. “We decided he should remain so for the time being in order to help facilitate the takeover. Vero will need backup, and Hunter is an excellent warrior. I know you want him back home, King. I appreciate your letting me keep him for a while.”

Raw emotion glinted in the king’s eyes before a veil dropped down. “I do want him back home. As soon as things are stable, I expect you to send him.”

“Not a problem. I understand,” Paxton said. He still didn’t want to be king. This turn of events was the craziest thing he’d ever experienced. “Maybe Vero will want to take over soon.”

Both kings laughed again, as though he was purposely telling jokes.

He was not amused. “All right, let’s get the treaty going,” Paxton said, in no mood to deal with any levity. He had a nation to fix. He looked at Hope. “We’re going to need to bring the Kurjans into the modern age, and it’s not going to be easy. Are you on board?”

She looked up, her eyes gleaming. “Oh, I am so on board. I can’t wait to liberate the Kurjan females. I’m sure it’ll be difficult, but they deserve freedom.” She glanced at her father and then back at Paxton. “Some of them may not want to remain mated, and we’ll need to offer them the virus that negates the mating bond. That is going to cause all sorts of problems within the Kurjan ranks.”

“I’m aware,” Paxton said. “But I agree. Everyone gets a choice, and that’s the first thing we’re going to change when we get there. The soldiers and the Cyst also get a choice. Every single one of them can leave without repercussion. Just like the soldiers earlier today.”

“They’ll form a group, and they’ll fight you,” Zane said quietly.

“I know,” Paxton said. “But it’s their right and their freedom to do so.” He wasn’t going to hold anybody captive.

“Agreed,” Dage said, admiration in his eyes. “Plus, once we sign a treaty, you’ll have the full force of the Realm behind you.”

Paxton nodded. “I’ll need it. Hope, will you negotiate with the Realm on behalf of the Kurjan nation?”