That’s enough to settle the pain in my chest, which on its own is concerning. Now, after he marked me and we had sex, I seem to be far more susceptible to him than I ever was before. I don’t like that one bit, but it looks like this is something I’ll have to get used to.
“Consider this the confirmation,” Odelia says calmly. “It’s only a matter of time before the dark faye and vampires settle on an agreement.”
“The noble faye will contest it—they still have all the power when it comes to the faye factions,” Wyatt says.
Odelia shakes her head. “Not anymore. The dark faction has been pushing against their monarchy and nobles for quite some time, and joining with the vampires will be a straightforward way to distance themselves from the nobles.”
I took the liberty of reading up on faye history and power structure in the last week, withdrawing several books from the library to help me. As far as I know, like shifters, faye live in a pyramid hierarchy structure that favors power. Noble faye are deemed noble both because their lineages are prone to greater magical power and because their families have been the ruling class for centuries in their own realms. The light faye and dark faye, however, are generally said to be matched with magical power, yet the light faye sit on top of the dark faye in the pyramid structure, mainly because the dark faye are prone to unpredictability and violence.
“Some members of our coven have had…run-ins with dark faye in the past,” Odelia says. “We are by no means on good terms, and they’ve threatened wide-scale war with us before. The only thing holding them back from making good on their threats was the noble faye. If their alliance with the vampires liberates them from allegiance to the rulers, then there’s little to stop them from coming after witches in tandem with shifters.”
Ah.Sothat’swhy the witches were so quick to take this meeting—not only due to my proposal and incentives but because they’re also on the edge of war. If the witches have to fight both vampires and dark faye alone, I imagine they’ll sustain heavy losses. If they team upwith us, those losses will likely be fewer for both our kinds. We’ll also have a fighting chance against our opponents.
“What sort of run-ins?” Camden asks.
Odelia and Reyna share a look, communicating silently, before Reyna shrugs and says, “It’s your call if you want to tell them. I’m for the alliance—much as I hate it, we need the wolves. And if that one truly has the black flame,” she nods her head at me, “We all need her if we hope to survive. Plus, wolf shifters have the fealty of dragon and feline shifters—that’s serious manpower we could use.”
I listen to her speak with deepening interest as well as a healthy dose of apprehension. I already knew I’d be desirable for my power with black fire alone, untrained though it is, but hearing Reyna say it’s their hope of survival tells me that there’s some disturbingly powerful magic on the other side. As far as I know, there’s nothing and no one that could withstand my black fire, aside from Camden due to our bond, but it’s quite possible there are powers of equal measure among the dark faye—just ones I don’t know about.
Odelia looks back at us. “Certain members of the dark faye have been breeding with vampires for the last two or three decades. The offspring are hybrids, formidable andextremelypowerful. The dual nature of their species increases both their magical and vampiric abilities. Aside from that threat, the dark faye have taken to raiding outlying villages of witches and warlocks.” She pauses to look at me and explains, “Warlocks are the male counterparts of witches, as a whole we’re referred to as sorcerers.” Then looking between Camden, Wyatt, and me. “We’ve lost an entire coven to the hybrids and dark faye, and sustained major losses in other covens. Four members of the Nightshade Coven have also been killed while on missions in foreign territories. They’re a growing threat, and I’m quite sick of losing mywitches to their heinous crimes. They kill for sport, and forfun, and they do not give quick or pleasant deaths.”
Shit. I knew hybrids were possible—after all, Claude is one—but I didn’t even think that other species could create them. The way Odelia describes the crossbreeds of vampires and dark faye…I imagine they’d have some magical abilities thatcouldrival my fire. It’s no wonder the witches are seeking alliances and further protection.
Odelia inhales a deep breath. “We will agree to your treaty if you’re willing to add a few amendments.”
I can’t make that call on my own. I look to Camden, who inclines his head in agreement.
I say to Odelia, “Name them.”
Staring at Camden, she replies, “First of all, send pack warriors to our territories. We have magical provisions in place to keep out invaders, but manpower from shifters will present a united front and work as a deterrent. In return, I’ll send some of my girls to ward your territories.” She looks at me. “The wards you constructed around the castle are excellent, very beautiful work, but they could use some improvements to make them entirely foolproof.” Back to Camden, “Next, you will send the two witches in your care to my coven so I can personally help teach and train them.”
Wyatt growls, “No.”
Camden snaps, “Absolutelynot.”
Claire gives Wyatt a narrowed-eyed look. “Why doyoucare so much?”
“Because aside from Sierra being my queen, Leisel happens to be my mate. We’re not just sending either of them off,” Wyatt responds shortly.
The three witches exchange a long, contemplative glance, processing the new tidbit of information.
Finally, Reyna gives a snort. “Wolves and their goddamn possessiveness. My high priestess isn’t saying to give up your mates for long stretches of time, just to send them to us periodically for lessons. They’ve been deprived of their own kind for their entire lives. That will have left their education in the magical arts dismal. Witches should stick with witches—that’s the best way to grow power. Besides, don’t you want them to have a place where they’re accepted entirely for who they are?”
Her words spark a full-body wave of excitement. I’ve been wanting to ask if I can learn from witches, but prioritized these negotiations; hearing that Odelia, who’s obviously anextraordinarilypowerful high priestess, wishes to train me is electrifying. I know my magical education is sorely lacking, as is Leisel’s, mainly because we only had a limited number of books to learn from and nobody to properly teach us. My mother could only teach me so much as her magic was latent; Leisel only had me.
Camden inhales a deep, calming breath, then says in a more steady tone, “Your territories are far from the capital—at least a week’s ride by horseback if one rides all day and all night. I’m not comfortable sending my mate away for such long stretches of time.”
Claire waves a dismissive hand. “We’ll open up a portal so transport is instantaneous, the same way we did for your liaison. Take the deal, wolf. Can’t you see your mate’s excitement at the prospect?”
Camden looks at me, eyes running over my expression. I let him see my hope and excitement, and surprisingly, that seems to soften him. I think back to Wyatt’s words in our conversation last night, the tidbit of advice he gave me regarding his older brother;there’s little he won’t do for your happiness.
“Fine,” Camden says to Odelia, “I’ll agree to allow you to train my mate and her sister, as long as you agree to assure their protectionabove all, and understand that ifanyharm befalls them, you will be answering to two very strong, very pissed-off wolves.”
“Was that a threat?” Reyna questions with a toothy smile, and she actually soundsexcitedat the prospect, which makes me speculate more and more that this one’s slaughter-happy when it comes to conflict.
“A fact,” Camden clarifies. “You should know there’s no end to the protective instincts we wolves have toward our mates.”
Odelia nods, unconcerned. “I’ll personally see to their protection. Will you send us warriors?”
