7. Kian

Chapter 7

Kian

V ale was far too close to the new council for my liking.

Considering how many times she had nearly died at one of their hands, I wasn't too keen on having her any farther from me than she was right then, and even that was out of my comfort zone. For the sake of propriety, I was forced to stand behind her and Idris, watching and waiting for someone to make a move.

Xavier and Freya stood at my side, both of them twitching toward their weapons as we waited for an attack. Just like me, neither of them trusted this new council. After the last two days, I wasn’t sure I would trust anyone outside of my inner circle ever again.

I’d spent those last two days garnering support throughout the kingdom, selecting new members from all twelve factions. Not all of them sent representatives, but most had. After Freya’s bleed and read, I thought I’d feel some measure of comfort that Vale and Idris were safe, that we could move forward. Still, even with their promises, even with the spell weaved into the very words of their oath, I did not feel any better.

Arden didn’t want the curse broken. He wanted Idris separated from Rune, amputated from the bulk of his magic, and weakened to the point of distraction. If the fucker wasn’t just as cut off from his magic as Idris was, this war would have exploded across the continent ages ago.

But I’d gotten complacent, comfortable in my role, not realizing that the danger lived in my fucking house. It wouldn’t happen a second time—not with Vale’s life on the line.

Idris dismissed the council, allowing them to leave if they wished. Save those who ran from the room as if the executioner’s axe was pointing at their necks, a few remained either to talk amongst themselves or to bask in the fact they hadn't been killed on sight. One stood taller than the rest, his interested gaze on Vale as if he were sizing her up.

His short, dark hair seemed to transform in the light, flowing from the deepest of purples to the lightest of grays and back again. The strands seemed to dance in a breeze only he could feel, floating about his head in a nimbus cloud. His approach was almost soundless, his magic cushioning each step, his eyes latched onto Vale as if she were a beacon.

I’d almost forgotten how much I hated Elementals, and air ones most of all. Talek was a staunch reminder that the last Elemental we’d had on the council was the same asshole to nearly put a blade through my neck.

Not-so-patiently, he waited his turn, his gaze never once leaving my mate as he inched closer. Something about him grated on my nerves, and I couldn’t figure out what it was until he plucked her hand up and pressed his lips to her smooth skin.

My blade was at his throat before I thought better of it.

“How about you don’t touch her again, and I won’t take your head where you stand.” Iridescent blood dripped from the wound at his neck, but he paid it no mind. “Let her go. Now.”

Talek raised his hands in surrender, dropping Vale’s fingers as if they were on fire. “My apologies, I thought the fateborn mate bullshit was just that. I had no idea she was actually spoken for.”

Idris gripped my shoulder, staying my blade as the urge to take Talek’s head almost overtook me. “Let's all calm down, shall we? There's no reason for violence. Talek here was simply introducing himself.”

Growling, I reluctantly removed my blade from his skin. “No offense, but too many people have put their hands on our future Queen in the last few days, and none of them have meant her goodwill. You'll have to excuse me.”

Talek’s smile was good-natured enough to make me worried about his intentions, but I couldn't take his head without cause. Reluctantly, I stepped backward and let Vale take care of herself.

Vale’s spine stiffened as Talek’s gaze lingered on the mating mark that should be invisible to his kind, but she didn’t flinch or step back. Instead, she lifted her chin in quiet defiance, one that reminded me why she was Queen—even if she didn’t feel like one yet.

“To save yourself some unfortunate misunderstandings and a boatload of hurt, please understand, I am utterly and completely spoken for. I have not one but three mates, and they're very protective, so maybe a no-touching rule should be in place?” Vale offered, her smile gentle but her voice firm.

“Fair enough,” Talek muttered with a smile, his body bending in half in an elaborate bow. “I simply wanted to meet the woman that had claimed our king's heart. You are just as exquisite as I thought you would be, though I am surprised you have more than one mate. Doesn't seem very fair. Fateborn mates have been a thing of myth for two centuries, and now you have three? It might just be the jealousy talking, but it seems very greedy of you.”

Vale seemed charmed by the Elemental, her smile genuine, even though he still seemed to be sizing her up. “Well, just like with all aspects of life, I don't get to argue with Fate. She seems to decide my path more than I do.”

Talek’s gaze landed on her shoulder again. “Are you sure you can't make room for one more? I'm a very attentive lover.”

Freya grabbed my sword hand before I could take his head. “I suggest you get to the point of whatever gambit you’re spinning before I let the general go and he eats you for dinner. Trust me, no Elemental power will save you from an angry dragon, let alone three.”

Talek’s genial smile landed on her as he lifted his shoulder in a halfhearted shrug. “Can’t blame a guy for trying. At this point, most people would kill for a fateborn mate. To be that connected to someone—it’s something that’s been missing in these lands for a very long time.”

His gaze swept over Vale, his attention settling on the scales at her pulse points and covering her middle.

“Is there something you needed to discuss, or was accosting my bride your main goal?” Idris asked, his smile wide in the same way Rune’s was right before he ate someone.

Talek’s form seemed to flicker a bit, his smile dimming. “While I’m grateful for the dispatching of my predecessor, I noticed a few council seats were missing. Coup or not, a few factions seem to fear lending you support.”

Idris’ jaw clenched. “And you agree with them?”

Talek placed a hand on his chest, feigning shock. “Of course not. But I am a simple man with nominal power in comparison to some. It does not matter whether I join your cause or bow out, there will always be someone to take my place. No, the problem lies in not how many are missing, but who. We have the Fae Lords and the mages, the vampires and the lower shifters, the banshees and the wizards, the witches and the djinns and the shapeshifters. But someone is missing, and her absence is a blow.”

My growl rumbled through my chest, but it was Idris who had finally lost his patience. “Your point?”

Talek’s stormy gaze met mine for an instant before he returned his attention to Idris, and I instantly realized just who his allegiance resided with. “Lady Selene’s influence extends far beyond the boundaries of Everhold. She controls the waters, the sea, and if you cannot convince her to back your side, your brother might take it as an invitation.”

I’d rather chew my own arm off than admit it out loud, but he was right. Of all the delegations I’d contacted, I hadn’t been able to reach Selene. Considering the amount of power she’d amassed in the last few centuries, not having her at our back was precarious at best.

Everhold wasn’t just a province—it was the lifeblood of Credour’s trade and defense. Selene controlled the shipping lanes, the naval fleets, and the flow of goods between continents. Without her, we might as well hand Arden the keys to the kingdom.

At worst, she was the final nail in a coffin that had been closing for two hundred years.

“I don’t want to tell you how to do your job,” Talek continued, “but Everhold is a key component of the continent. I wouldn’t be doing my due diligence as a member of this council if I didn’t remind you of this. If at all possible, I would suggest you remedy that relationship. And fast.”

I had to give it to him, he was taking his role seriously, and damn if it wasn’t good advice. Still, I didn’t trust him. If there was anything Elementals were known for, it was looking out for their own interests above all else. Traveling to Everhold could be a trap.

“We’ll take it under advisement,” Idris replied, his posture just as rigid as mine and Xavier’s. “I appreciate you giving your position such commitment.”

Talek’s smile seemed bitter until his gaze landed on Vale. “It was an honor to meet you, Vale. I look forward to serving the Crown—especially with you sharing the helm.”

He gave them a fluid bow as only an Elemental could and swept from the throne room, his feet never once disturbing the debris in his path.

By the time the dregs of the council left, my stomach was in knots and my animal was itching to come out of my skin. The faint traces of Vale’s thoughts churned in my brain, our bond allowing me to glean her opinion on the matter.

“Please tell me none of you are considering this,” Freya grumbled as she perched on the arm of a half-demolished chair, her gaze on me.

Idris might be King, but I was his general. I’d been watching his back for two hundred years, and sniffing out traps was my specialty. Everhold could be our biggest political foothold or utter failure, and there was no way to know which it was without sacrificing something.

I fought off the urge to yank my hair out by the roots. “Not considering it could be a death sentence.”

Freya pinched her brow like I was giving her a headache. “There’s a reason we don’t trust Elementals, Kian. Just look at what happened with Evrin. I do recall he tried to put a spear through your jugular a few days ago.”

“We’re going,” Idris rumbled, his gaze never once leaving Vale’s.

Their mental connection was the strongest out of all of us. While I couldn’t hear their conversation, I knew Vale had a hand in changing his mind.

“Are you insane?” Xavier snarled, pulling Vale away from Idris. “You want to go to Everhold? Now? In case you forgot, you two are getting married in a few days and this kingdom is on the brink of war. And you want to take a vacation to what is essentially shark-infested waters?”

Xavier’s voice cracked, just slightly, as he pulled Vale closer. “We almost lost her. Too many times to count. And now you want to march her into another fight? How many times do you expect her to come back to us in one piece?”

Vale placed a quelling hand on Xavier’s arm. “What good is a wedding going to be if the kingdom falls in a week? You heard Talek. Selene is a major player. I’m assuming someone who controls the sea is not someone we want Arden getting his hooks into.”

“She’s right,” I murmured, the truth of Vale’s words hitting me like a spear in the chest. “If we don’t get Selene on our side, it won’t matter if the curse is broken or not. Even if she doesn’t back Arden, too many will defect, fearing we can’t protect them.”

Xavier’s shoulders slumped as betrayal colored his expression. “And what happens if it is a trap?”

I didn’t have a good answer for him.

We’d just have to cross that bridge when we came to it.