Mirelle appeared beside Tremon. Lycan didn’t laugh, but almost. The Fae representative from the last coven met his gaze and nodded, and he nodded back. Where Caine preferred to make his entrances unannounced apparently the Fae liked to be recognized when they entered the space.
Tremon started, and almost took an obvious step back from the Fae.
“Threshold magic is old magic. Certainly, it has its own mind.” Mirelle reached out a hand, as if she was stroking the invisible entity that was playing games this morning. Petting its head like a cat.
“We are here to settle the matter of the Pack Legate’s denial of his fated bond to the prince, not play parlor tricks.” Tremon had drawn to his full height, features flashing dangerously. “I do hope the Council is taking into account the rudeness that has been shown to my people today. I demand we be heard.”
“Surely even Taured knows that Threshold magic has its own mind. No one is trying to stop you from bringing your claim,” Caine uttered the words coldly.
Before Greene or Tremon could comment, Mirelle laughed.
“If that is the issue, then your complaint shall be heard, Tremon.” She clapped her hands, and the sound was much louder than it should have been.
A whooshing sound came on the heels of the clap, throwing everyone off balance for a moment, and then they found themselves in a beautiful autumn glen.
It was carved out of the forest as if made for the purpose of housing them, and Caine was sure that was exactly what was intended. The trees of the old forest made a circle. Overhead, branches intertwined to a canopy only a Master Gardener could achieve. Below, the ground was mossy but not wet, solid, but not dusty. It was a room of sorts, created from the forest itself.
Seath had moved to Lycan’s side, standing between the omega and Tremon. Mirelle, who smelled amused, stood in the middle between the Pack and Tremon’s people.
“Will this not suit better?” Mirelle asked as the Council members murmured at the strange turn of events.
Tremon watched warily as Mirelle smiled, and the Prince looked bored.
“Where are we?” Lycan asked Van, but Caine too had drifted close to him and heard.
Seath started to shake his head, but Caine paused him with a hand to his arm.
“You are now in the Seelie Court, Lycan.” Caine strode forward, back to Greene’s side.I would caution you there are rules here. Do not eat or drink of anything. Take
nothing with you.
Caine sent the warning over the pack link, but Mirelle laughed.
“The vamp is right, Little Wolf. We have come to crash the party, or at least, move it to a more convenient location.” Mirelle’s smile was dazzling. White teeth flashed against ebony skin and a dewy complexion that gave the appearance of youth, although her blue eyes held the wisdom of age.
Caine knew she could hear the link, and he smirked. Seath caught Caine’s eye and nodded his thanks at the vamp, for not only giving them the information, but also letting them know about the link being overheard. Always cool, always crafty, Seath trusted Caine in these situations.
“You have no jurisdiction here!” Tremon said, eyes blazing, and anger stoked to the point he all but roared. “This has nothing to do with the Fae.”
“We believe that it does.” A commanding voice called out over them all. They all turned as the Seelie Queen herself strode into the glen. She appeared a bit older than Mirelle, her face still unmarked by lines or wrinkles, with honeyed hair that looked as if it had been braided with gold. “Are you not gathered for the pursuit of justice? To see what cannot be seen? Did you not demand a place to be heard for your grievances, Tremon?”
“Queen Titania...” Tremon started, paused, then seemed to collect himself. “I demand recompense for what this Pack has done to the Prince.” Tremon straightened to his full height, what appeared to be his tell in a stressful situation. “If you can set such justice, then I do not care where it is given, but there is no reason to bother the Seelie Court. Both our nations answer to the Council.”
The Queen smiled. “No bother. Our realm can aid, though, in seeing what wants to be hid den, if that suits you. Consider it neutral territory, the same that is so often provided to us in your realm. It is not my justice to give, of course, but the Council’s.” She gestured at the Council members who appeared a bit shaken at the announcement but also seemed dedicated to not showing their discomfort. It could be the effects of whatever sent them here. It was almost as bad as portal dust, but portal dust didn’t work between realms.
The Council stammered their apologies, apparently remembering they were to be in charge here, controlling what occurred. With wary looks barely concealed, they moved to where a typical Council hearing set up — three chairs and a curved table in front of them on a dais—had risen from the ground at the front of the clearing.
“Of course, this accommodation is well-met, Queen.” The Council member looked over at the group. “Your kindness will not be forgotten. We will be honored to hear the case in the Seelie realm.”
Before long, the Council seemed back in charge, ready to move the matter along, and suddenly seemed ready to do so, or perhaps they were just ready to take leave of the Seelie Court. Time did move differently here, and somewhere, an invisible clock was ticking.
“King Tremon and Prince Donovan.” The lead Councilor called. “What do you demand for the broken mating? Let us hear your proposal of terms to begin.”
Seath felt his spine straighten. This is what Tremon refused to discuss the night before.
Tremon frowned, his hand resting on the head of the Prince. “What is the price of such a thing? If the Pack Legate no longer wants his fated mate, we cannot force him, but the lack of bond will harm the Prince. That is well known, of course. Fated mate bonds want to be completed. Not only that, but he must now reintegrate into Taured. We had not planned for that, assuming he would be part of the Northwest Pack. There are secession plans to consider, as well as his own health from the unformed bond.”
Greene’s eyes went to Seath with a warning, and Seath remained quiet.
