“So where does that leave us?” Layla asked.
“With options.” Heathren turned back to her. “Eight Crimson Circle members who opposed Adrian will soon be dispatched. Insinio and I will make an announcement throughout the Hotel as soon as it’s done – you will hear it. I imagine the structure of the Owners’ Board will shift dramatically, and you and Adrian would be wise to step into that dearth of leadership. Pull any strings you have; make arrangements quickly.”
Heathren’s piercing stare flicked to Adrian then, pinning him like raptor-talons as he gave a lift of one silver-blond eyebrow. “We will be grilling the captured Circle members for the identity of the last three who oppose you, and any more engaged in illegal activities for Hunter. In the meantime, I urge you both to study everything about theSage of the Wildsfrom your Storm Dragon allies. Perhaps Hunter left clues in the ancient scriptures of the White Chalice – something that might eventually bring him down.”
“My mother has a library of writings she collected on the Chalice,” Rhennic frowned, though his dark lavender eyes displayed excitement. “Scriptures, and interrogation records of captured Chalice members. I can get you and Adrian copies.”
“Do that.” Heathren spoke soberly, his silver-white eyes shining with a dark fervor. “In the meantime, Insinio and I must take our leave. Ms. Duvall has already been removed from your residence, Storm Regent – I have taken her into Intercessoria custody. Regroup with your people; mourn your losses. I will be in touch, and promise that if you find any other lingering White Chalice cells, the Intercessoria will lend our full support.”
“Thank you.” Extending his arm, Rhennic clasped hands with Heathren and the Fallen Ephilohim shook with level frankness.
Staring at Adrian now, Heathren became quiet. “Adrian Rhakvir. On behalf of the Intercessoria, I offer you a full apology for arrests made in the past which have now been revealed to be Hunter’s works. Know that you have been cleared of those suspected crimes. We thank you for your cooperation in this investigation, and wish to retain your future help in this matter. Should we find any more information on Crimson Circle members who voted to have you killed or are connected to Hunter, we will notify you at once.”
“Thank you.” Adrian was as sober as the archangel, and Layla felt a deep accord pass between them. Again, it wasn’t exactly a personal apology the Fallen Ephilohim had given Adrian for numerous arrests and weeks upon weeks of Vampire torture, but it was a start.
Glancing at Insinio, Heathren took a step back to Insinio’s side. Insinio gave Layla a smile, his natural jubilance shining from his eyes, though he had nothing to add to the proceedings. As everyone clasped hands, Adrian and Heathren were civil, shaking calmly. Stepping back, the two parties regarded each other.
“Battle is ahead.” Heathren spoke, gazing at them all. “Perhaps a more trying one than any of us know. Are you ready?”
“We will be.” Adrian spoke softly.
With a nod, Heathren perused them with his intense silver-white gaze again. Then with a gesture to Insinio, the two Fallen Ephilohim departed through the throne room’s doors, a sensation of exhausted wings trailing in their wake. Layla shivered after they left, feeling the energy in the room brighten as if the two Ephilohim had been draining light from the day to support their drained energy. As she did, Rhennic shuddered as if he’d felt it also, and even Adrian breathed deep beside them.
“We need to get back to the Hotel,” Adrian spoke at last, with a glance to Layla. “I need to call the Owners’ Board to session immediately.”
“You’re still a wanted fugitive before these Intercessoria arrests go down, Adrian,” Layla spoke, “are you sure that’s the best idea?”
“I want to see their eyes as their syndicate falls, Layla,” Adrian spoke with a dire heat in his eyes. “I need to watch Hunter’s machinations burn. Please.”
Gazing at him, Layla saw the vindication Adrian needed. She saw the tense set of his shoulders, the way he held himself so rigid from breaking, especially now that Dusk was cocooned in crystal. No one knew when Dusk would wake, or if he would; Crystal Dragons were notorious for going into spontaneous cocoons when gravely injured – sometimes dwindling until they died.
Reaching out, Layla clasped Adrian’s hand. “We’ll go. Let’s gather everybody and get Dusk’s cocoon loaded up, and we’ll go.”
“Thank you.” Adrian was quiet, but as Layla squeezed his fingers, he squeezed them back, then moved in and gave her a sweet kiss. “I’ll go see Rikyava and find out if Luke and your friends are well enough to move. I’ll find you in an hour.”
“Okay.” Layla agreed quietly.
With another kiss, Adrian was out the door. It left Layla alone with Rhennic, and as he turned, watching her with a calm elegance, Layla heaved a deep breath and met his gaze. His eyes were a royal plum in the morning light, the day free of storms with sunshine beaming in from every window. Smiling softly, Rhennic extended his arm in a gentlemanly fashion.
“Walk with me, Royal Dragon Bind.”
With a nod, Layla took his arm, feeling a thrill of energy roll through her as they touched. Exiting the hall, they passed down the center stairwell into the bright day. Leaving the Château and wandering the snowy fields, Layla and Rhennic strolled, breathing deep in the glorious winter day. He glanced at her, and she snuck glances at him, but neither said anything. Though something dark still stirred inside Layla with Dusk in a coma and Luke needing deep recovery after the battle, Layla felt more calm than she had in ages. Taking a breath and seeing the sunny day bright all around her as the snow sparkled like diamonds, she felt something lighten in her soul.
Glancing to Rhennic, she found him watching her as they gained the dormant pear orchard. Stopping, he turned Layla gently to face him. Gazing up, she saw how his brush-cut blond hair and beard shone beneath the bright winter sun, his eyes a luminous lavender. Reaching out, he brushed her cheek with his knuckles, an amazed look on his strong, handsome face.
“If every woman looked at me the way you’re doing now, I would have found a mate far earlier in life,” he spoke in his elegant baritone.
“I bet lots of women have looked at you like this,” Layla joked mildly, though she still felt caught in Rhennic’s pull.
“Not like this,” he spoke, his lips curling into a subtle smile.
“What are you thinking?” Layla spoke, feeling a strange energy pass between them in the bright winter day.
“I’m thinking I don’t regret stepping in when your Bind called me yesterday.” Rhennic spoke, his lips still holding a hint of a smile. “I know I did what was right, and I’d do it again if faced with the same decision.”
“You saved Dusk,” Layla spoke, a deep gratefulness welling up inside her as her eyes pricked with tears. “I will never be able to repay you for that.”
“You don’t have to.” Rhennic replied gently, stroking a curl of Layla’s sable hair back from her face as a breeze wafted through the snowy orchard. “I did what I did because it was right, not because I seek compensation from you, or Adrian, or even Dusk. There are some things a man must do, when life calls him to be brave.”
