“After spending time in the belly of the beast of the Ring I’ll say that I’m sure in Alania’s mind she was doing what she had to. She wanted to keep herself alive, which meant keeping Fabian alive by any means necessary… but logically she knew he was awful her entire life… or his… she’s older.”
“Alania also knew how to fix Arion. The question is how she was going to do it without Arion or Haley discovering they were the promised siblings… it would’ve been easier for Haley to fix him without her realizing it… but Arion himself? He’d have to know. Arion would’ve known his soul fractured.”
Aiden said, “I’ll ask her.” I knew I didn’t want to be Alania when Aiden asked. I offered, “She probably won’t tell you.” Aiden snorted, “Maybe. My brother and father live there though. They can make her miserable until she does tell someone. My Uncle Lochtan delights in ruining her day.”
I shrugged, “I doubt Alania knows who is truly behind everything. She wouldn’t have wanted to see that. She would’ve looked for just enough in her own mind. Alania’s far too self-centered to admit someone who had been running a centurylong villainous, and duplicitous, Ring was smarter than she could dream to be.”
“Though… they have gotten lax about it and let others run it… I can’t decide if they got bored… or they don’t care anymore… or they are baiting us into the big fight. There are other options… so… I’m just not sure which one is right.”
Aiden said, “I know you are correct in your insight on my mother. Alania was not the mastermind she thought herself to be. She lost her mate and child to death. Then lost her other two children by her actions.”
I asked, “Alania didn’t just die, did she? I mean… there’s no way she did. I’ve read a lot about life forces being tied.” Aiden laughed, “You’re asking the wrong side of your mate’s family that question. I myself saw my mother’s body turn to dust in her bed.”
I studied him before replying, “Evasive.” Freya chimed in, “This is quite the juicy family drama! I’m with you. Alania suffered at the hands of the Hackura and probably even the Fairy King.” Yeah, he’d definitely get in on it because he had every right to be furious.
Aiden smirked, “Is it?” I nodded, “Yes. People can make bodies look like other people. A Witch you are related to by marriage can. Megan is a very powerful Witch… and she would’ve been angry enough to do it.”
“I mean… no one could blame her really… like you’re pregnant and your mate lets himself die? Because now she definitely knows he wouldn’t let Haley heal him… because that’s the only way he can die… so… you know that… stop talking about that Melanie.”
“Let’s talk about the Hackura… yes. They also had to be angry… I just don’t think Alania died peacefully. The probability is around ninety-eight percent that she didn’t… and I’ll honestlybe pretty sad if the two percent off chance is correct… because she totally deserved to suffer.”
Aiden said, “It might be best to discuss that theory with the Hackura when my sister is not around.” I frowned, “I’d never tell Haley that. I think it would hurt her feelings.” Aiden tilted his head, “Interesting. That’s not how I would’ve phrased the hurt my sister would feel.”
I explained, “Well… I think it’s the only way to put it. You guys have been keeping it secret from her for years. I’m sure she had some things to say to that woman. In the beginning, sure it had to be kept secret. Now, it probably annoys Haley that Alania got a peaceful death with all the havoc she’s caused.”
Aiden seemed to understand my logic. My mate’s Fairy Uncle shrugged, “For my part, I saw Alania’s body turn to dust.” I laughed, “That’s your story and you’re sticking to it then.” Aiden smiled, “Plus, it’s true.”
I reasoned, “An evasive truth. You knew it wasn’t really Alania’s body. Does Haley not read books in Faerie? She had to be curious about life ties.” Aiden wryly answered, “Maybe there’s a charm cast so she can’t see books or passages about tying life forces. Or maybe she doesn’t care.”
I snorted, “So you cast a charm, and Haley might not care. If Alania was my mom I wouldn’t spare her a moment of space in my head.” Aiden laughed, “Consider telling my nephew soon about your identity in the Resistance.”
I asked him, “Why does everyone think the Resistance is bad? We do a lot of good things… And I mean… it’s dangerous… but I usually take all the danger I can… so… I keep people safe.” Aiden smiled, “No one thinks they are bad.”
I disagreed, “Taking advantage of someone is bad.” Aiden reasoned, “Every leader has taken advantage of someone or something. The problem everyone you know has is that they believe that someone was you.”
“You are smart and talented and developed things that your family, and mine, believe you were used for. I, of course, have always known, as do they, that you had your own motivations for doing these things. The love you have for my nephew is your driving factor. Even when you did not believe Alexander would be with you. I think you actually thought he’d kill you.”
I muttered, “I mean…him…no…I wasn’t sure if his rejection would kill me or not.” Aiden nodded, “Exactly, but everything you did was still to avenge your family and to protect him.” I emphatically stated, “I love him.” Aiden smiled, “No one doubts that. Just consider telling my nephew you are the leader behind the curtain.”
I sighed, “I consider telling him all the time. How exactly should that come out? I REALLY don’t want to have a giant conversation about it. I thought it would be funny to set up a meeting with my boss and everyone who wants to talk to said boss…that is me…and then just walk in.”
Aiden laughed boisterously before urging, “Dear sweet girl, please do that.” I shrugged, “My personality is more like I’ll blurt it out… in some type of fashion.” Aiden laughed, “Either would be funny. Seriously consider the meeting though.” I sighed, “Alright.”
Aiden surprised me by kissing the top of my forehead. He said, “You carry the weight of the world on those shoulders, and you expected nothing in return from us. You have saved my family so many times. You even protected Aiylee and my son Fenilton.” He winked at me.
I blushed because he was right. I had saved Fenilton and Aiylee in the field, but I didn’t know my mate’s uncle figured that out. Aiden added, “I dare say your family would be more upset about those measures you took to save people.”
I snorted, “There are plenty of things they could be upset about. The things they’ve seen me do aren’t that bad.” Aidensnorted, “I believe that. I think they know that too, they just don’t want to admit it.” I shrugged.
Aiden popped out and I grabbed my computer to start running multiple searches. I emailed Kingsley a coded message with my theories and Aiden’s thoughts. She might be able to get confirmation. I clicked on the email from Tao.
Melanie,
These are files Ezra had encrypted. I can’t crack them, but I knew you could. Things are going well here. Talia is thriving in her Luna role, as I knew she would. I have a mentor and I’m keeping up with my trainings.
Thank you for all you have done for us. Have fun cracking these and using them to break Ezra into tiny little pieces for whatever horrible things he’s done. One of my half siblings hopes it’s not bad, and for her sake I wish it was true.
I think you and I both know that won’t be the case. I don’t know if I’ll even need to know what lives in these files. I trust you to let me know if I do.
