“Nothing,” Samian hissed, jerking his arm away.
“Samian,” I exhaled. “Didn’t we go through this last night? I thought we were good.”
Samian looked away, sniffing, his fingers drumming against his legs. “I’m sorry,” he breathed, looking back at me. “I found out Sybil talked to Cassia before we met you in the forest. That's why she is acting so distant toward us.”
My magic pulsed, and I fought to pull it back, silently cursing. We should have talked about this before coming here. I should have asked him when I noticed him acting so reserved. “And?”
“And she knows, Kieran. Sybil knows we are her mates.” Samian's shoulders dipped, and he looked away again, his eyes full of anger and sadness. “Cassia said they spoke of something else, as well, but wouldn’t tell me before berating me like a fucking child.”
“Right, I guess that means either Sybil is upset that we kept being her mates from her, or she’s upset about whatever was said after?”
“Pretty much,” Samian sighed. “This is the second time we fought before she left.”
“She’ll be fine,” I murmured, putting my hand on his shoulder. “She has Ivara and Daelan with her. Ivara will raise hell if anything happens to her.”
Samian huffed and shook his head. “I would hate to see the trouble she would cause. Daelan, too.”
I chuckled, picturing Daelan destroying Lowell’s estate bit by bit. The bastard was chaos and mayhem mixed into one. “Come, let’s get this over with.”
We walked up the stairs, catching Edris and Viv serious and contemplative, though whatever they were discussing was dropped the moment they noticed us. Edris led us through the manor, where ten thrones sat in a semicircle, every seat but one filled with a mix of fae, elves, and gods, all more magnificent than the last. Edris walked to his empty throne while Samian, Viv, and I bowed low, waiting until permitted to stand. These ancient beings loved formality and decorum.
“You may rise,” King Aetherin spoke, his voice booming like thunder. Intricate braids held back his long, golden hair, and a crown of gold and silver branches mixed with leaves sat atop his head, with a soft green gemstone in the middle that matched his serious eyes. He still looked like a warrior, muscles corded along his tanned arms, though the age of war had long since ended.
“Thank you, my king,” Viv spoke softly as she stood. “And thank you for allowing us to speak with you all today.”
“Edris told us you would be coming, that you had news of war?” Queen Isolde asked, her voice as light as calming rain. Silver chains from her delicately woven crown mingled with herthick, jet-black hair, flowing down her body as her midnight-blue eyes observed us.
“Yes, that’s right,” Viv said, her face grave. “We have recently learned that Ambrose Farra has been hiding Queen Cassia in the dungeons for decades now, and he is making his move for a war between our courts.”
The council members looked at each other, whispering too low for us to hear.
“And how did you come to find this out?” Zarina said gingerly, her white horns glinting in the light, the slitted pupils of her blue-and-amber eyes thinning. The water dragon’s pale skin looked almost iridescent in the sun; a water goddess as powerful as the king himself.
“We have learned this from Samian Olokas, though I have foreseen it as well.” Edris peered down at Samian, his face hard.
Xandros snorted, lifting his chin in the air, his ruby eyes peering down at us. “I thought you had died, soul-meander. Guess we didn’t do our job well enough.”
Samian growled low and deep, baring his teeth at the god. He opened his mouth to speak, but Viv put her hand on his shoulder, giving him a slight squeeze. “Please,” she breathed. “Now is not the time for this. War is at our door. We are here to ask for aid against Ambrose’s army. They are coming for the rebels first, but they have already started their movement against this court. Ambrose has the lords in his grasp, and they tell the people that this court is the reason for their downfall. Without aid, we don’t stand a chance. After we fall, they will come for this court next.”
“You ask for a great deal, Vivian,” Oindelir said. The ancient Elven lord’s words were soft as he stared at his daughter. Brythil murmured her agreement, though her wary eyes lingered on Samian, studying him.
“I know, but I would not ask if it weren’t imperative. You know this. You’ve met him, Phaedra,” Viv stated, glancing at the beautiful fae that looked so much like Queen Cassia. “You know Ambrose’s true nature, what he will do if he becomes king. We must not allow this to come to pass.”
The council was quiet, some looking at the other, others considering Viv’s words. Samian’s nose curled at their hesitance, muttering angry words under his breath. King Aetherin narrowed his eyes, his lips pursing, readying himself to chastise Samian’s disrespect.
“I believe we should take time to discuss this,” Solaris said softly. The lightness of the young golden phoenix’s voice echoed through the room, her fiery gaze looking to the king and queen.
“We don’t have time to discuss this,” I growled. “If we don’t act now, it will be too late. Ambrose will rise and destroy the realm. Edris has seen this and has been warning those who can see his visions of this for years. What more will it take for you to understand that?”
“I know what is at stake, storm-maker. But that does not mean we should go into this war blindly. The lives of our people are too significant.”
“And what of the lives of the fae? Have you forgotten about your children, Phaedra? Queen Isolde? The fae kingdom comes from your bloodlines. Are they not important? Or is their blood too tainted for you?” Samian shook with rage, his eyes flicking between the two.
“I know that this is not what you wanted to hear, child,” Queen Isolde murmured. “We have not forgotten our children in the west, but this is something we cannot rush. We will meet among ourselves and deliver our answer once a consensus has been made.”
Viv gasped when Samian stepped closer to Queen Isolde. A blink was all it took for Xandros to stand before Samian,his sinewy body poised and ready to strike. He held his sword against Samian’s throat, his ruby eyes bright with the promise of death. I held my breath, careful not to make any sudden moves.
“Please, Xandros, he meant no harm,” Viv whispered, her eyes wide. “Please, put down your sword.”
