He looked down at his plate and pressed his lips into a line, a flicker of what seemed to be remorse appeared on his face. Then his mate spoke for him—
“Water Fae are peaceful creatures by nature, because they were so close in age, we were trying to use our son to get through to him by some kind of friendship, but after almost a year Antonias made little to no progress with Lord Titus—he too seemed very set in the old ways—but it would seem you got through to him much quicker, and we are very grateful to you Lady Delilah, now we could have a powerful High Lord on our side.”
“If he lives! Tell me the truth! Were you planning to kill my mate before he unknowingly switched sides to a revolution he knew nothing about?” I snapped.
The Viscount cleared his throat and finally spoke, “The truth is…yes, at some point, he was supposed to be ended with the council, but then fate intervened and he gave us the perfect opportunity to assassinate the council by staging an attack to which he welcomed death to save you, him surviving was not a part of the plan, but now he has a chance, and with his power so does the revolution for real change and reform to separate our government from Holy Law.”
“Please try to understand Lady Delilah, he was a different male before you came along and changed his heart, he was part of the problem, many Fae suffer under his rule and until recently he hadn’t cared or showed any interest in changing things,” Antonias explained.
I exhaled, and the remainder of my temper left with my breath. I understood. How could I blame them for wanting change and wanting to eliminate those in power who refused to grant them such simple basic rights? I also understood that until Cercies and I had a heart to heart with Titus, he was part of the problem. Hell, I hated him too at first.
“As long as you have no future plans to harm him, then I believe we want the same things, and would like to be your allies.” I replied calmly.
“Wonderful!” The Viscount exclaimed. “With the council gone we now have a clear path to remove Holy Laws from governing laws, but there will still be loyalists, nobles, and dignitaries, who will push to fill the council seats. Change is going to be slow moving, but the matter at hand is we need to prepare for the invasion of Folliade’s army. If my soldiers can combine forces with those of General Cercie’s, and fight off the attack, we would gain the favor of the people, be seen as the heroes who saved the kingdom, ushering in a new wave of support for change. Our victory would persuade all of those both high and low born who oppose to join and support the movement.”
“So, you need Cercies’s army?” I asked.
“Yes, but he likely wouldn’t join on my behalf, I would need someone with more pull, like the High Lord…Say, I’m curious…with the High Lords condition unknown… what is your relationship like with the General?” He asked.
Heat rushed to my face. How well did I know him? Pretty damn well—more familiar than I’d like to be, actually. I cleared my throat.
“The General and I are…acquainted, and he has more motivation to join the cause than you think, he recently found his fated mate and was pushing the council for change so that he could be her mate officially and blood bind her, of course the council refused and I just so happen to be his fated’s best friend.”
The family exchanged grins of approval and smiled into their wine cups. After taking a drink of the sweet red the Viscount said, “Then you Lady Delilah, just became our biggest asset.”
“I say, you have a knack for politics Lady Delilah, it would be wise of the High Lord to have you rule by his side. I had hoped my Alina would take to the family trade, but alas her passion is on dragon-back.” The Viscountess said.
I looked to the young half breed female; she looked miserably bored, her elbow on the table and face leaned against her palm, twirling her fork.
“You fly? I didn’t think females were allowed?” I asked.
“I don’t fly; I swim… I have a water dragon in the sea, thanks to mother I have the ability to breathe under water, that’s how I get away with it, nobody can see me beneath the waves.” She explained.
“That’s incredible! I would love to meet your dragon sometime.” I said to Alina.
She smiled and nodded enthusiastically.
Just then, the glass French doors opened abruptly, and Sanaris barged in. “Pardon the interruption, but the high healer arrived early, Lord Titus is awake!”
CHAPTER 39
Nothing Left of Me
DELILAH
“Delilah!!!!!!” a booming male voice echoed down the hall as I ran as fast as my feet could carry me to the infirmary on the lower level.
The infirmary door scuffed the wall behind it after I burst through into his room. A white-haired, older Fire Fae male hovered over the High Lord, trying—and failing—to control his outbursts. He looked confused, panicked, and irritated all at once, bobbing and swerving around Titus’s flailing limbs.
“Lord Titus, if you don’t calm yourself, I’ll have to sedate you,” the high healer warned.
“No! Don’t—it’s ok, he’s looking for me, I’m his—” I started.
“Pickles?” Hearing my voice, he breathed the word like it was the only thing anchoring him. His outburst subsided immediately upon taking in my presence, as if his body finally believed I was real and not some cruel hallucination. There was so much love in his eyes, and then a reel of emotions—confusion, guilt, fear, anger, pain, and relief—so fast it made my chest ache.
The high healer quietly stepped out of the room.
I crossed the room quickly and took his hand, holding it tight like I could tether him to this moment. “It’s ok,” I whispered, voice shaking. “I’m here. I’m here now.”
