Chapter 10 #2
Romilly hated that there was so much animosity between Soren and the Fae. Not all of them, but Ossiren Everspur wasn't welcome in Soren's life, nor any of the Saint family's really. It would mean a tough case for alliance continuance should they win.
But an alliance was necessary.
Magical beings had to stick together. It was crucial with the way humans were. Should anything be revealed, it could be catastrophic. Having alliances meant they would work together if anything were to arise, to quell any type of action taken against them.
It also meant there would never be a war between them. In the past, wars had led to decimated numbers on both sides, and Romilly didn’t want to be the one to let it happen ever again.
Silas spoke up next. "Soren, it would be in our best interest to keep the Everspurs on our good side. I know there is history there, my child. However, if you can let this go, or perhaps let someone else step in. Could Hadrian take over your post with them?"
The smoke subsided and Soren's eyes shifted back to their original color. "I am the one who mediates between our species, Father. For me to give that over to Hadrian would be like stepping down. Like abdicating the throne, if you will. No offense."
Romilly smirked and held up a hand. "I take none, sibling. Your metaphor is understood."
Soren continued on. "It would not matter anyway. Everspurs are not fans of the Saint family, as much as I am not a fan of them. They dislike us as a whole."
"Are you sure about that?" Silas asked carefully. "Because I have had dinner with Thaloth Everspur recently and that was not the case. Our conversation went quite well."
"You had dinner with them?" Soren questioned, voice full of disbelief, and a touch of hurt too, if Romilly could sense it. The scent in the room went acrid as displeasure filled the space.
"Soren, it was a meeting between old friends.
I didn't mention it because I know how much you dislike them.
But we have kept in touch through the centuries.
Just because our children don't get along doesn't mean we hate each other.
That's not how this works. We had years and years together forming bonds and alliances, working together when need be, in a business sense, even though they weren't the ruling party. "
Soren shook their head quickly, then stood in a rush. "I cannot believe what I am hearing. It changes everything about this. Nothing I can present to you will be thought of in a serious way. You have been bought out and lied to."
"I have not been bought out. That is the furthest thing from the truth. Besides, we are not at war with them."
Soren didn't stick around to hear their father's plea. Instead, they fled the room with quick feet, rushing out and down the hall. The sound of their speed picking up created a whoosh that echoed back into Romilly's office.
"Well, that went great," he said to Silas.
"As I imagined it would. That child of mine is stubborn. They cannot see that it is past time to forgive. They do not have to forget, but it was a misunderstanding, one the other party would greatly like to correct."
"Would they?" Romilly questioned, curiosity arising. "You have confirmation of this? That what Soren heard was incorrect, that the feelings they took in were misconstrued in some way?"
Romilly could hear the disbelief in his own tone. He couldn't hide it, though, not from his father, especially when the man was suggesting that the time in which Soren had been at odds with the Fae had been for naught.
Silas stood more gradually than Soren had, the years of his life showing with each century, making him a touch slower than the one before it. He was still smooth, though there was no denying that.
"It is not my story to tell, son. What I can tell you, though, is that Soren is working on false beliefs. If only they would take a few moments to truly hear the Everspurs out, they might find that they were so wrong it's comical. Maybe I shall live long enough to see amends be made."
Romilly recoiled. "Do you plan on dying anytime soon?"
Silas chuckled. "Of course not, but with the way Soren holds a grudge, it could be near the end of my lifespan. One should never count it out."
Romilly shook his head. "Touché, Father. You are correct in that Soren does keep track of every wrong done to them, but if I do recall, they learned it from someone." He gave his father a look to indicate he was the origin of such behavior.
Silas held his hands up. "I cannot say I know what you mean. What was that, dear?" He pretended as if Romilly's mother was calling out. "I am coming. I have missed you too, darling."
Silas practically skipped out of the room as if his feet were on fire.
Romilly leaned back in his chair, chuckling at the entire interaction.
His father was a character and a half, much like the rest of his family, and he loved all of them equally, even when they were stubborn or in denial.
Having Archer be a part of it would only make it all the better.
He needed to come clean to his boy. It was well past time.