43. Remy

43

REMY

“Leave the door open,” I instruct Silas as our guests enter the library. I want what is said in this room to spread like wildfire. Maybe we’ll get lucky, and that Leonid chef will be delivering food at exactly the right time.

We’re due some luck.

If luck alludes us, my inner circle can spread gossip as well as the rest of them if given leave.

Silas stands next to the doorway, giving the esteemed visitors the illusion of privacy.

If it were real privacy, I may have given into the urge to strangle the smug look off Councilor McConnell’s face, but it wouldn’t do to attack someone on the Council.

Councilor Moon nods in appreciation, probably sensing my restraint. This isn’t going to be good. The immortal’s lips are pressed thin in annoyance.

“To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?” I ask, taking a seat behind the long table. Moon and McConnell do the same across from me. The excited energy coming off the wolf shifter in waves leaves a bad taste in my mouth. McConnell resembles his nephew, but being around Lobo has never given me an instinctual recoil.

“I’m here as your representative,” Moon starts. “McConnell approached me about witnessing and validating the terms of what he’s going to offer you today.”

We expected some machinations. A tactic more direct than spreading rumors. That it’s coming to pass should be convenient, yet it only leaves me as cold as my marriage bed has been since Ben’s departure and my own floundering at the news of Stella’s pregnancy.

I don’t regret many things, but my reaction to the knowledge that the babe isn’t mine by blood is one that will stay with me.

All the space I give her in the world does not make up for that moment of jealousy.

McConnell leans forward, his eyes glinting in the way of someone who thinks they’ve won. “I feel like we’ve gotten off on the wrong foot.”

I raise a brow. “You’ve made motions to take from me what is mine.”

The councilor shrugs. “A consequence of your alliance with Kalos I assure you. Nothing personal.”

It felt very personal when we chose to create an heir to circumvent his plans, but I keep the thought to myself, curious as to what he’s going to say.

“It occurs to a portion of the Council that Kalos seems to have gotten the better hand in your alliance. This territory is unstable, and the bride you were forced to take…” McConnell trails off and shrugs as if we’re both in on a joke. “A territory leader such as you shouldn’t be hemmed in so much. I think we can come to an agreement that benefits the both of us.”

I tilt my head. “I’m listening.”

McConnell grins like I’ve done more than give him the rope to hang himself with. “We’re in the process of building a rather extensive case against the dragon.”

I catch Moon’s eye roll. I don’t know how he stands working with these people.

The wolf shifter continues. “And it would be easier for us to try him for the death of Lorenzo Leonid if you were to cooperate.”

“And what’s in it for me?” I ask.

“Well, you’d be able to dissolve your marriage for one.” McConnell laughs, expecting me to join in, before the sound dies on his tongue.

“What would happen to my wife?” The words are neutral, but this wolf shifter has gone from a nuisance to a risk.

“Stella Elderflower would stand trial with Kalos. She was never an official heir so the laws of her ascension and what was allowed to happen are a little fuzzy. Your presence was really what made it all go through so seamlessly for them. Without you, they will face the brunt end of the law.”

I hum and hide my clenched fist below the table. “And the territory?”

McConnell twitches. He doesn’t like this part. “We could be convinced to side with you should you campaign to take it over.”

They must need my cooperation greatly to offer such a boon. Without the interference of his faction and snuffing out Frank and Leo Leonid for good, the territory would be stable and mine without a fuss.

It’s a good deal.

I can see why he thinks I’m going to take it.

I’ve been distant from Stella since the conception, even not objecting to her demand to deliver the charms herself. No one save Silas knows that I followed on roof tops to ensure her safety.

All the secrecy and coldness because I wanted to see what strategy they were going to bring me. That and my ignorance of how to bridge the gaping wound I opened between my wife and me.

I believe Ben could have been reasoned with about the bonding. That he eventually would have realized that the metaphysical thing would grant him and her happiness, stability, but that the revelation occurred right when the knowledge of the pregnancy and the parentage…his feeling overwhelmed is understandable.

I will get him back, just as I will set things right with my firefly.

McConnell has shown me his hand, now it’s time to play my own.

“You seem to be under the mistaken impression that I don’t care for my wife,” I say.

The confident look on McConnell’s face fades, and I continue, my own satisfaction rising.

“That I don’t love her.” The word scrapes against the insides of my chest. Too honest for my liking. “She is my mate and the mother of my child.”

Silence reigns. I’ve melted the shifter’s brain.

Eventually he realizes what I’ve said does not match up with what he expected.

“You would claim someone else’s child?” he sputters.

Moon ducks his head to hide his smile.

“The child is mine,” I growl with meaning. “My heir and the product of my clan.”

That Ben hasn’t made any official moves required to be considered in a clan is of little consequence.

I resisted the idea of creating a clan at the beginning, but it’s the best way to have everything we want. Allowing my tainted memories to steal that from us is a mistake.

The Bramblewicks have a healthy clan. There’s no reason why Stella, Ben, and I couldn’t be a solid grouping. As long as they forgive me.

“But—” McConnell starts, but my patience for this game is at an end, and I cut him off.

“So I do take your offer as the greatest insult. I advise that you leave here.” I snap my teeth. “With haste.”

“You can’t speak to me in such a way,” McConnell says. “Moon!”

Councilor Moon straightens and stands. “Territory leaders and the Council exist in a symbiotic relationship. Stoneheart has the right to take issue with what you’ve offered.”

The wolf shifter snarls at me. “You’ll regret siding against me.”

“And you’ll regret continuing to pursue or support any plans that target my wife,” I say.

“Are you threatening me?” the wolf shifter says as if he didn’t just issue his own threat.

My smile is sharp. “A promise. You would do to have greater care when it comes to me. I have more allies than just Kalos, and the other territory leaders wouldn’t enjoy hearing just what you’re willing to stoop to for your vendetta.”

McConnell snarls but marches from the room.

“Congratulations on your heir,” Moon says before he follows his fellow councilor.

“You just keep making friends left and right,” Silas says.

I sigh, tired now that the risk to mine has left. I close my eyes and massage the bridge of my nose. “It’s a gift.”

“Perhaps you should go speak to this wife you’ve just thrown down the gauntlet for. While I start the paperwork for your currently nonexistent clan.”

“She was here?” I straighten.

“Left in a hurry too.” Silas pauses a moment. “I think she’s sick.”

That’s all it takes for me to move. I may have given her the space she demanded, but that doesn’t apply to if she’s ill.