I looked to Antonias, realizing I knew next to nothing about this male who had saved my life.
“So, you’re a Viscount?” I asked curiously.
He laughed briefly, then cleared his throat. “No, my father is, this is his estate, it was his title that made it easy for me to acquire a seat on the council.”
“So, you’re the seventh Council member, the one that couldn’t come because of an injury?” I asked.
“Faked injury, I used a variation of glamour to make it look like I had fallen off of Amarilies.” He explained.
“So, you and Titus, you planned all of this?...but why would you plot against the council you serve on?” I inquired, trying to gauge whether I could put my trust in him or not. I had no idea which side of this complicated mess he stood on, nor what his motivation was for aiding Titus in such an outright rebellion against the Temple.
He nodded and curled his lips over his teeth. After a long pause he shifted on his feet and explained, “Titus had summoned me with the suspicion that I was against the old ways of the Fire Fae, it was then that I realized we shared the same vision for the Kingdom of Flame, a more peaceful and equal existence for all of its subjects, the old bastards on the council would never change, nor step down, keeping Titus’s rule on a short leash, so we sought a solution.”
I nodded in understanding and added, “He wanted to convince the council to liberate the enslaved population, before the deadline to avoid war, but also because he wanted to change things for the better, I think to prove to himself he was better than his father.” I said as I gazed longingly at Titus’s sleeping form.
He replied softly. “You changed him Delilah,…whatever happened while you two were away at the enchanted mines, it changed him, he came back a different male,—a better one.”
I smiled to myself. I knew all too well it had been the removal of the veil, his memories with me as Danny had fused into him, opening his heart and mind. It warmed something inside me to know it was a change others had noticed too.
“The night you were taken to the Temple, Titus and I quickly formed a plan, to rescue you and bring you here, it just also happened to be the perfect opportunity for the councils demise, but him surviving was not part of the plan, he planned on dying for you Delilah.” He said seriously, and I detected no deception in his big amber eyes framed by blonde brows.
I looked down to hide the tears gathering in my eyes and quickly wiped them away. My insides bloomed with warmth and joy. Titus loved me. He had planned to die for me—and the sweetness of that truth hurt as I watched him struggle for his life beside me.
Not wanting to burst into a mess of tears, I quickly changed the subject. “I still don’t see why your beliefs are so different than most of the Fire Fae in power.”
“I think you will understand when you meet my parents tonight for dinner, assuming you will come?” He asked.
I nodded with a small smile.
“Excellent, they will be so delighted to meet a human.” He replied with a small bow and saw himself out.
Just then came a knock, and an older, somewhat round female servant entered. “Pardon me miss, I have some fresh clothes and a hot bath drawn for you upstairs, would you like to freshen up and rest after your long day of travels?”
I looked down at my filthy, wind-whipped skin, matted hair, and oversized shirt with my long skirt underneath. I probably looked homeless—and smelled unpleasant too—not exactly appropriate for a dinner with the Viscount and Viscountess of Ashenport.
I looked closely at Titus’s even breaths. They seemed deeper than before, easing something tight in my chest. Titus trusted Antonias, so I guess that meant I could too.
“That would be lovely.” I replied.
After a bath, a power nap, and a change of clothes., I made my way back to the infirmary. The estate was laid out in a simple, practical design, so finding my way around was easy enough. I checked on Titus, still covered in fresh fish skins. His breathing was less rattled. He looked so peaceful.
I brushed the strand of hair that had gotten caught on his long thick lashes and studied his mangled face, half covered in fish skin.
“To be saved by you is a mercy I did not earn, but it is a devotion I will carry to the grave, I love you, Danny," I whispered, unsure if he could hear me.
I kissed his good hand and quietly left the room. I wandered around the estate until I ended up in the courtyard garden in the middle of the square-shaped property, where I found Antonias. He awkwardly greeted, “Well, you look a lot better with clothes on...eh …I mean… I just—”
I chuckled. “It’s ok, I know what you mean, I look normal, and after what I went through, normal feels good.” I said, smirking.
He let out an exasperated breath. “Yes, normal, forgive me for wording that so poorly.”
“Of course,” I laughed, then continued, “I never thanked you for saving me, us, yesterday,—but aren’t you worried that someone may have spotted you burning the Temple down and you will be reprimanded for it, the Holy Guards will burn you alive for what you did.” I said, concerned.
“Not to worry Amarilies looks like every other semi common yellow dragon in the kingdom, and my tawny saddle isn’t visible fromthe ground at the height we were at, it blends too much into her scales.—Nobody saw us. According to my father’s missives that have already arrived, the official preliminary report is,… you, the High Lord and the council, and Aurelius all died by a suspected rogue dragon attack, and that I have fled into hiding for the time being for protection in case of a targeted attack while General Cercies and his captains further investigate the incident.”
Relief flooded my chest at the confirmation that Cercies made it out before the Temple came down. Stringing my thoughts together, I asked, “So… it’s all over then, the council is gone and the Temple doesn’t have control over the Kingdom of Flames laws anymore?”
He sighed. “There is still much to figure out, like I said Lord Titus surviving was not a part of the plan, if he lives, he will be instrumental in what’s to come.”
