6. Troubled Warnings

6

Troubled Warnings

Roman

R oman sat in the grand council chamber of the Seelie Court, his back straight and his eyes sharp as he listened to the heated debate unfolding before him. The room was filled with the leaders of the seasonal and elemental courts, their faces tense and their voices rising with each passing moment.

Queen Elara sat at the head of the table, her auburn hair gleaming in the soft, golden light that filtered through the stained glass windows. To her right sat King Oliver of the Summer Court, his blond hair and tanned skin a stark contrast to the pale, ethereal beauty of the Seelie Queen. And to her left, Queen Lydia of the Autumn Court, her red hair and sharp, angular features giving her an air of fierceness, of unwavering strength.

Roman's gaze flicked to Prince Rowan, who sat beside his mate, Luca, at the far end of the table. The prince's face was calm, his eyes filled with a quiet, unwavering determination that made Roman's heart swell with pride.

He knew, with a bone-deep certainty, that Rowan would make a great ruler one day. Would lead the Seelie Court with wisdom and compassion and a fierce, unyielding dedication to his people.

But for now, the prince was just another voice in the room, another player in the delicate, dangerous game of politics and power that played out before them.

The meeting had started off well enough, with everyone seeming to be on the same page about the Seelie Court's latest dealings with the mortal realm. Trade agreements had been reached, alliances had been forged, and all seemed to be running smoothly.

"My friends," the queen said, her voice soft but filled with a quiet, unwavering strength. "I come to you today with grave news. News that, if left unchecked, could spell disaster for all of us." She paused, her gaze sweeping the room, taking in the faces of her fellow rulers with a look of deep, profound concern. "We have received intelligence that suggests Riordan is planning an attack. An attack on the Unseelie Court, and on the mortal realm that we have all sworn to protect."

The room erupted into chaos, voices rising and falling like the crashing of waves against the shore. Roman sat still and silent, his heart pounding in his chest as he listened to the arguments, the accusations, the fear and anger that poured out of every mouth.

"This is absurd!" King Oliver cried, his face flushed with indignation. "The Unseelie Court is a sovereign nation, with its own laws and its own rulers. What right do we have to interfere in their affairs?"

Queen Lydia nodded, her eyes hard and her mouth set in a grim line. "I agree with Oliver. We cannot simply march into the Unseelie Court and start making demands. It would be seen as an act of war, a violation of the treaties that have kept the peace between our realms for centuries."

Queen Elara sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly under the weight of her crown. "I understand your concerns, my friends. Truly, I do. But we cannot simply sit back and do nothing while Riordan plots and schemes, while he gathers his forces and prepares for an attack that could destroy us all."

She looked around the room, her gaze locking with each of her fellow rulers in turn. "We have a responsibility, a duty, to protect our people. To defend the innocent, to stand against the darkness that threatens to consume us all."

Roman felt a flicker of pride, of fierce, unwavering loyalty, kindle in his chest. This was why he had pledged his life, his service, to the Seelie Queen. Because she understood, better than anyone, the weight of the crown, the burden of leadership.

But even as he sat there, even as he listened to the arguments and the accusations fly back and forth…he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease, of growing dread.

Because he knew, better than most, the true nature of the threat they faced. Knew the depths of Riordan's cruelty, the twisted, malevolent hunger that drove him to destroy, to consume, to devour all that was good and pure in the world.

And he knew, with a bone-deep certainty, that they could not afford to underestimate him. Could not afford to let petty squabbles and political maneuvering get in the way of what needed to be done.

He glanced over at Prince Rowan, saw the same quiet, unwavering determination in the prince's eyes. And he knew, in that moment, that he was not alone in his fears, his doubts.

"My queen," Rowan said, his voice soft but filled with a quiet, unwavering strength. "If I may?"

Queen Elara nodded, her eyes softening with a look of deep, profound affection. "Of course, my son. Speak your mind, and know that you have the full support of the Seelie Court behind you."

Rowan stood, his tall, lean frame unfolding with a grace that made Roman's heart skip a beat. He looked around the room, his gaze locking with each of the rulers in turn.

"My friends," he said, his voice calm and steady. "I understand your concerns, your fears. And I share them, more than you know." He paused, his eyes distant, as if seeing something far beyond the walls of the council chamber. "But we cannot let those fears, those doubts, divide us. Cannot let them cloud our judgment, or stay our hand in the face of the darkness that threatens to consume us all."

He turned to Queen Elara, his eyes filled with a fierce, unwavering loyalty. "My mother is right. We have a duty, a responsibility, to stand against Riordan and his ilk. To protect the innocent, to defend the realms that we have all sworn to serve."

He looked around the room once more, his gaze locking with Roman's for a brief, charged moment. "But we cannot do it alone. Cannot hope to triumph against the forces of darkness if we are divided, if we allow our petty differences and political maneuverings to get in the way of what needs to be done."

He turned to King Oliver and Queen Lydia, his face softening with a look of deep, profound understanding. "I know you have your doubts, your fears. And I do not ask you to set them aside lightly. But I do ask you to consider, to truly consider, the cost of inaction. The price we will all pay if Riordan is allowed to run unchecked, to gather his forces and unleash his darkness upon the world."

Queen Lydia sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly under the weight of her crown. "You speak with wisdom beyond your years, Prince Rowan. And I…I cannot deny the truth of your words." She looked around the room, her gaze locking with each of her fellow rulers in turn. "I still have my reservations, my fears about the path ahead. But I am willing, more than willing, to set them aside for the greater good. To stand with the Seelie Court, and with all of you, against the darkness that threatens us all."

King Oliver nodded, his face grim but filled with a quiet, unwavering determination. "As am I. We cannot afford to be divided, not now. Not when the fate of our realms, our people, hangs in the balance."

Queen Elara smiled, her eyes filled with a deep, profound pride. "Then it is settled. We will stand together, as one, against Riordan and his ilk. Will gather our forces, our allies, and prepare for the battle ahead."

She turned to Roman, her gaze softening with a look of deep, profound affection. "And you, my trusted emissary. I know you have your own battles to fight, your own demons to face. But I ask you, I implore you, to stand with us in this. To lend your strength, your wisdom, to the cause that we have all sworn to serve."

Roman felt a rush of emotion, of fierce, unwavering loyalty, swell in his chest. He stood, his tall, broad frame unfolding with a grace that belied his size.

"My queen," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "There is nowhere else I would rather be, no other cause I would rather serve. I am yours, now and always, in this life and the next."

Queen Elara smiled, her eyes shining with a mix of pride and affection. She nodded, acknowledging Roman's unwavering loyalty. As the meeting adjourned and the other court members filed out of the room, the Queen gestured for Roman to remain seated.

Prince Rowan and Luca exchanged a curious glance but stayed put, sensing that the Queen had something important to discuss. Once the door closed behind the last attendee, Queen Elara turned her attention to Roman.

"Roman, my dear friend," she began, her voice warm yet tinged with concern. "I sense there is more weighing on your mind than just the matters of the court. Please, tell us what happened in the mortal realm."

Roman took a deep breath, his fingers unconsciously tapping against the arm of his chair. He knew he couldn't keep this information from the Queen, not when it could potentially impact the fate of both the mortal and fae realms.

"Your Majesty, Prince Rowan, Luca," Roman started, his gaze moving from one to the other. "We've encountered a situation in the mortal realm that I believe requires your attention."

He proceeded to tell them about Chrissy, the young seer they had taken under their protection. He described the tragic circumstances surrounding her parents' deaths and the disturbing discovery of her mother's journal, which revealed the dark deal she had made with Riordan.

Queen Elara's brow furrowed as she listened, her eyes reflecting the gravity of the situation. "This is indeed troubling news, Roman. The poor child, to have endured such a loss and to be caught in the middle of Riordan's schemes…"

Roman nodded solemnly. "There's more, my Queen. When Christian and I searched Chrissy's house, we found something that I believe should not be taken lightly."

He reached into his pocket and carefully withdrew the folded drawing Chrissy had made. With a slight hesitation, he handed it to the Queen. Queen Elara took the paper, her slender fingers carefully unfolding it. Prince Rowan and Luca leaned in, their curiosity piqued.

As they studied the drawing, a collective gasp escaped their lips. The image of the demon, with its twisted features and malevolent aura, seemed to leap off the page.

"What in the name of the gods is this?" Luca whispered, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and disbelief.

Roman cleared his throat, his gaze fixed on the drawing. "Merin believes it to be a demon. He… he had a vision about it."

Prince Rowan's head snapped up, his eyes locking with Roman's. "A vision? Merin saw this creature in a vision?"

Roman nodded, his jaw clenching slightly. "He did. He described it as a war, a battle from long ago. There were Vikings, fierce warriors locked in combat against this… this demon."

Luca shook his head, his face pale. "I thought demons were just myths, stories told to frighten children. I had no idea they actually existed."

Queen Elara's expression grew pensive, her fingers tracing the lines of the drawing. "Demons are not a matter to be taken lightly. If Merin's vision is true, and this creature is indeed a demon… we must proceed with the utmost caution."

Prince Rowan leaned back in his chair, his brow furrowed in concentration. "I remember reading something, a long time ago. It was an ancient text, one of the oldest in the royal library. It spoke of a great war, a battle against a powerful demon."

The Queen's gaze snapped to her son. "Do you remember any more details, Rowan? Anything that could help us understand what we're dealing with?"

Rowan shook his head, frustration evident on his face. "I'm afraid not, mother. It was so long ago, and I only caught a glimpse of the text before I was called away to other duties."

Queen Elara nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Then we must learn more. Rowan, I need you to search the royal library, find that text and any others that may shed light on this demon and the war that was fought against it."

Rowan bowed his head. "Of course, mother. I'll begin the search immediately."

The Queen turned her attention back to Roman. "And you, my trusted emissary. I need you to continue your investigation in the mortal realm. Work with Merin and the others to uncover any information that may help us understand the connection between Chrissy, Riordan, and this demon."

Roman felt a surge of determination, a fierce resolve to protect those he held dear. "I will not rest until we have answers, my Queen. I swear it on my life."

Queen Elara smiled, a sad, knowing smile. "I have no doubt of your dedication, Roman. But please, do not forget to take care of yourself as well. You are no good to anyone if you run yourself ragged."

Roman ducked his head, a slight flush coloring his cheeks. The Queen knew him too well, knew his tendency to push himself to the brink in his pursuit of justice.

"I'll try, my Queen. But you know me… I'm not one to sit idle when there's work to be done."

Luca chuckled, a wry grin tugging at his lips. "That's putting it mildly, mate. I've never met anyone as stubborn as you, and that's saying something coming from a wolf shifter."

Roman shot him a mock glare, but he couldn't hide the smile that twitched at the corners of his mouth. Luca had a way of cutting through the tension, of reminding them all that even in the darkest of times, there was still room for laughter, for light.

"Alright, you two," Prince Rowan interrupted, his voice stern but his eyes twinkling with amusement. "We have our tasks, our roles to play in this battle. Let's not waste any more time."

The Queen nodded, rising from her seat with a grace that belied the weight of the crown she wore. "Rowan is right. We must act swiftly, decisively. The fate of our realms, of all we hold dear, may very well depend on it."

Roman stood as well, his tall frame unfolding with a fluid, feline grace. He bowed low to the Queen, his hand over his heart.

"I will not fail you, my Queen. I will not fail any of you. This I swear, on my honor as a guardian of the realms."

Queen Elara placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch warm and reassuring. "I know you won't, Roman. You have never let me down, and I have no doubt that you will continue to serve with the same courage and devotion that have always been your hallmark."

Roman felt a swell of pride in his chest, a warmth that spread from the Queen's touch and settled deep in his bones. To have the trust and faith of his sovereign, of the woman he had sworn his life to serve. It meant more to him than he could ever put into words.

But before he could express his gratitude, his unwavering commitment to the cause at hand, the Queen's expression shifted. A sly, knowing smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, and her eyes sparkled with a mischief that made Roman's heart skip a beat.

"Now, on to more pleasant matters," she said, her voice light and teasing. "A little birdie told me that you have an upcoming date with a certain green-eyed seer. Care to share the details with your dear old Queen?"

Roman felt his cheeks heat, a flush that had nothing to do with the warmth of the sun streaming through the palace windows. He ducked his head, suddenly fascinated by the intricate pattern of the rug beneath his feet.

But before he could stammer out a response, Luca's booming laugh filled the room. The wolf shifter clapped him on the back, his grin wide and unrepentant.

"Well, it's about damn time!" he crowed, his eyes dancing with glee. "I was starting to think our dear Roman here would never get his head out of his ass and make a move."

Roman shot him a glare, but there was no real heat behind it. Luca was right, after all. He had been dancing around his feelings for Merin for far too long, letting his fears and doubts hold him back from taking that final, terrifying step.

He wanted Merin. Wanted him with a fierceness that sometimes scared him, a longing that went beyond mere desire or attraction. He wanted to stand by his side, to face whatever challenges lay ahead hand in hand and heart to heart.

And so he had taken that final, terrifying step. Had laid his cards on the table, his heart on the line… and by some miracle, some twist of fate that he still couldn't quite believe… Merin had said yes.

"Yes, well," he said, clearing his throat and trying to ignore the way his cheeks still burned with embarrassment. "I suppose even an old dog like me can learn new tricks."

Luca let out another bark of laughter, shaking his head in amused disbelief. "Old dog, my furry ass. You're not even three centuries yet, pup. Wait until you hit your first millennium, then we'll talk about old."

Roman rolled his eyes, but he couldn't quite hide the smile that tugged at his lips. Luca had a way of putting things in perspective, of reminding him that even in the midst of darkness and uncertainty… there was still light. Still laughter and love and the unbreakable bonds of friendship.

Prince Rowan, who had been watching the exchange with a quiet, thoughtful smile, chose that moment to speak up. "Speaking of new tricks," he said, his voice soft but filled with a quiet, unwavering strength. "Luca and I were hoping to accompany you back to the mortal realm for a time. To lend our aid in the battle against Riordan, and to spend some time among our allies there."

Roman's eyebrows shot up, surprise and gratitude warring in his chest. To have the Prince and his consort by his side, to know that he would not be facing the darkness alone… it was a gift he had not expected, but one he would cherish with every fiber of his being.

He looked to the Queen, a silent question in his eyes. She smiled, a soft, fond thing that made his heart ache with love and loyalty.

"Of course," she said, her voice warm and filled with a quiet, unwavering faith. "I can think of no better ambassadors to send to the mortal realm than my own son and his beloved. But do not tarry too long, my darlings. The Seelie Court needs its Prince and its future King, now more than ever."

Rowan and Luca bowed their heads, a silent promise in the gesture. They would do their duty, would serve their Queen and their realm with every ounce of strength and devotion they possessed.

With the Queen's blessing, Roman, Prince Rowan, and Luca set off for the mortal realm immediately after the meeting. Roman's heart was light and his step eager as he anticipated the journey ahead.

They rode through the shimmering portal that connected the fae realm to the mortal world, the magic thrumming through their veins like a living, breathing thing. And as they emerged on the other side, the lush, green forests of the Wolfheart pack's territory spreading out before them like a welcome embrace, Roman felt a sense of homecoming, of rightness, settle deep in his bones.

Roman guided Prince Rowan and Luca to the Wolfheart pack, watching with a fond smile as they were welcomed with open arms and joyful cries. These were Luca's people, the pack that had taken him in and loved him as one of their own.

And to see them together, to witness the unbreakable bonds of love and loyalty that tied them heart to heart and soul to soul… it filled Roman with a warmth, a sense of belonging, that he had never known before.

But as much as he wanted to linger, to bask in the glow of the reunion and the laughter and the love… he knew he had a duty to fulfill. A mission that went beyond mere friendship or familial ties.

He had to get back to Willowbrook, back to Adrian's manor and the man who waited for him there. The man who held his heart, his future, in the palm of his hand.

So with a final embrace and a promise to return soon, Roman stepped through the shimmering portal that would take him directly to his room at Adrian's manor. His heart was pounding and his blood was singing with anticipation as the magic swirled around him, the scent of home and hearth and something uniquely Merin filling his senses like a siren's call.

He was close now, so close he could almost taste it. Could almost feel the warmth of Merin's skin beneath his fingertips, the soft, sweet press of his lips against his own.

Just a few more moments, a few more heartbeats, and he would be there.