Together, Prince Gregory and I walked into the royal coven council meeting, hand-in-hand, presenting what I hoped was a united front. I wanted King Draven to know I wasn't weak, that his son was now with me, that we'd fully welcomed him into the Pendragon Coven.
And sure enough, the moment we entered the cavernous room, King Draven's gaze zeroed in on our clasped hands, and he narrowed his eyes. I stood a little straighter, refusing to let him intimidate me. Just because he was the current leader of the royal coven council didn't mean he had the right to be a bully.
I strode straight toward the Pendragon Coven table. Sabella and Peyton gave me small, encouraging smiles, but the sight of Piper's empty chair had my steps faltering. She was supposed to be here with us. Not for the first time that night, I silently prayed she was safe, that she was with Jax and the two of them were okay.