Artemis had a twinkle in his eye, like he liked the fact that Brayden didn’t know everything. “My brother was the Elder Fae, and nowIwill be the Elder Fae. Even the leader of the Wild Hunt cannot contain my brother’s power, though he no doubt tried. When I die it will move on to my heir, and if one day all of our heirs are gone, it will go back to nature where it belongs.”
Wow, that was kind of beautiful, and also huge news! Novus was powerful yes, but he wasn’t walking around with the Elder Fae’s power and that was a relief.
Brayden reached into his pocket and produced the letter. “Your brother left me this.” He handed him the note. Artemis grasped it and read it, his brow creasing before he handed it back to Brayden.
Artemis frowned. “I see.”
He went back to making the tea and it was the most awkward two minutes of silence I’d ever endured. Would he still help us? Was he pissed about Novus killing his brother? Too much hung in the air. I needed someone to speak.
“Will you help us? Please?” I pleaded. “Brayden needs to win this fight against Silas. We only need a little bit of my power unbound and it would be enough to guarantee a win.”
Brayden nodded. “Five or ten percent, no more or the Fae Lords would sense it.”
I looked over at him. “Won’t they sense the five or ten percent?” They were the Fae Lords after all.
He shook his head. “I don’t think so. They will be connected to my siblings, who will be nearby, and the smells of the other supernaturals will be overwhelming.”
We both looked back at Artemis. He took a slow sip of his tea.
“Are you going to do as my brother suggested in the letter and use Novus to end the Fae Lords’ rule?”
Brayden shifted uncomfortably. “If I can, yes, but—”
“But nothing,” Artemis said, disrespect lacing into his voice for the first time. “My brother was clever, your father’s top royal advisor for centuries, and he’s given you the best idea possible to regain your kingdom. Do you want it back or not?”
Brayden stood, slammed his fist on the table so hard a crack appeared down the middle. “I want it so bad I can taste it!” he growled.
Artemis’ eyes widened as a feral grin graced his face. “Good. Then do as my brother says, and when you have your kingdom and powers back, you and your brothers and their wives will help me avenge my brother. Swear it and I will swear allegiance to you as my brother once did.”
Brayden stiffened. I didn’t know a lot about the magical world, but a powerful fae swearing their allegiance to you sounded like a big deal.
“Swear to kill Novus with you?” Brayden asked.
The fae nodded. “When the time is right, when you and your siblings have their powers freely restored and your kingship is returned.”
Brayden sighed. “And you would do as I commanded in all things? A loyal subject as your brother was?”
Artemis’ gaze flicked to the table, where the note and his brother’s teacup now lay. His eyes grew misty. “I would serve you, King Greywolf, for the rest of my days, to bring my brother honor and for revenge.”
The air charged with some kind of magical power. It was like I was stuck between two magnets as an unseen force built up around me.
Neither Brayden nor Artemis looked worried, so I relaxed a little as I watched the two stare each other down.
It was only when Brayden glanced at me did I realize how worried he was. Was he looking for advice on this Novus thing? Kill the bastard that killed so many others and had a pack of Greywolf ghost slaves? Hell yes.
I nodded once.
“I, Brayden Greywolf, accept your oath of fealty,” Brayden said the moment I nodded. “When andifmy kingdom is restored, and my siblings and their wives’ powers are returned fully, we will band together with you and hunt down Novus as he hunted down my very own grandparents.”
Brayden stuck his hand out and Artemis smiled. “I, Artemis Merlin Moon Feather, future Elder Fae, pledge my allegiance and magic to serve Brayden Greywolf in all his needs for as long as I shall live.”
Whoa.
The fae offered his hand, and the moment the two touched a searing blue light shot from their palms and I had to close my eyes for a second as it flashed brightly.
Holy magic bomb.
Artemis was the new Elder Fae and he’d just bound to Brayden. That had to be a big deal. When they broke the handshake, the fae looked at me expectantly.
