"It is fine, my king," Yelena replied, but Valentine knew that it wasn't. It didn't matter how much time passed. The lords like Afon would never accept Yelena amongst them.
"I think we have had enough of politics for one evening. I will think on Midir's request and all your concerns," Taranis said and made a tired gesture, dismissing them. "Valentine? I would like a moment of your time."
Valentine waited until everyone had left except Taranis and him. "I'm sorry, Uncle. I shouldn't have attacked, but..."
"But Yelena is your mate?" Taranis interrupted.
Valentine swallowed hard. "You knew? Are you angry?"
"No." Taranis's lips twitched into a smile. "No one with eyes would be even a little surprised. Total chaos is generally how you Greatdrakes operate."
Valentine's hands clenched into angry fists. "Even if she wasn't my mate, no one should be talking about her like that. Why do you let them?"
"I have asked Yelena on more than one occasion if she would like me to do something about it, and she has always said no. You know why? Because they will all underestimate her if they think she's some kind of trained pet. They are afraid of her, and they don't understand her, and it is how she likes it." Taranis drained his wine. "Midir is going to be a problem until he gets what he wants."
"He's planning something. There is no way he would have agreed to that meeting and been so confident when he snatched up Avallach and Yelena if he didn't. For all we know, that couldhave been something to distract us," Valentine replied, folding his arms. "You can't let him have access to Ireland."
"I know, Val." Taranis leaned his arms against the back of his chair. "I need to talk to my brothers in case Midir has already sent forces to their borders, too. He has always hated our family, and he will use this as the excuse he needs to turn all of Faerie against us."
"What do you need me to do?" Valentine asked.
"Stop attacking my lords and have the night off. I need to curl up with my mate for a while until I can think up a plan." Taranis waved him out, and Valentine didn't argue.
He knew he had reacted poorly. He should have known that Taranis tolerated Afon's snide comments only because Yelena had asked him to. It was a smart plan to make sure the lords consistently underestimated her. Valentine wanted to throw her over his shoulder and go home to Ireland. He was not built for court life.
Yelena was waiting outside for him, the knights loitering about, talking with Quinn.
"Ah, Valentine. If you aren't busy this evening, can you please bring your tools by and have a look at my hand? I'm going to need some adjustments," Yelena said, flexing her silver fingers.
Valentine couldn't see any issues with it, but wasn't dumb enough to say that out loud.
"I would be happy to. I will gather what I need and meet you soon," he replied, trying not to smile. Yelena winked at him and walked away with Avallach.
The meeting may have been a disaster, but if he were with Yelena, maybe the rest of his night wouldn't be a total bust.
28
There were times when Yelena wondered why she bothered attending meetings with the dragon lords. They looked down on everyone who wasn't Taranis, and they hated her most of all. She used to enjoy the knowledge that she got under their skin. Now, it just made her tired.
Yelena probably shouldn't have been so turned on by Valentine threatening to cut out Afon's tongue, but by the gods, she had never loved him more. He hadn't bothered to hide his disgust for the lords, and she wished she dared to do the same. She had wanted to drag him out of that room and find somewhere to lick him all over.
"Wait for me, little sister," Avallach called and caught up with her. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Afon is always an asshole," Yelena replied as they walked together.
Avallach waited until the hallway was empty of ears before he said, "I promise we will make Midir pay for what he did to us. I just need to wait until the time is right, when it won't backfire on Taranis, and then I will make a plan."
"Count me in when you decide to make a move," Yelena replied.
Avallach glanced sideways at her. "We should probably ask Valentine to help as well. Unless I've lost the ability to read people, he is already plotting how he can take Midir out."
Yelena grinned. "I wouldn't put it past him. I swear Afon soiled his robes when Valentine used that teleportation spell. I taught that to him, and I've never been so proud."
"Someone should have taught Afon some manners long ago. So, about Valentine, you really like him, don't you?" he asked.
"I do." Yelena wasn't trying to hide it either. "It is good to have someone to talk to about magic."
"And he's easy on the eyes, even if he is a bit crazy."
