Chapter 20 Vada #4
Finally, Adaela’s tears slowed down, and the exhaustion evident in every movement told me she was ready for a nap.
Silently standing up with Adaela in my arms, I jerked my head toward the couch, silently asking Yaga if it was okay to lay her down.
Yaga nodded, and I gently lowered Adaela onto the cushions, kissing her forehead and tucking her in with the brown and yellow crocheted granny square blanket from the ‘70s on Earth.
“Rest, sweet girl. Your story is safe with us. We will figure this out,” I said to her, and she snuggled under the blanket.
She put an arm under her head and lay on her side, facing the back of the couch.
I watched her for a few minutes before finally returning to my seat next to Yaga at the island.
“I think you understand now what burdens your mate has been carrying around with her. When we last spoke, I told you that you were going to have to fight for her in more ways than one. I’m afraid the Box has been opened, and now it is up to you and her to figure out how to close it once more,” Yaga told me.
I bit my nails, thinking about the prophecy, “So, does this prophecy mean that Adaela’s going to be queen of all of the realms?”
Yaga’s normally harsh facade softened. “If we stay the path, I’m afraid so. It’s not what she ever wanted, but it’s what we must work with.”
I blew out a breath. Living in the ninth circle of Hell for as long as I had, I was used to the games of the big bad living in every realm.
The ninth circle was visited frequently because of the wild sex parties held there.
Since I was cursed to live a life without physical pleasure, I found my pleasure in taking down some of the biggest players through their own truths.
I understood early on that my curse could turn me into a keeper of secrets, and so I learned how to be stealthy.
It was my strongest asset, and one Adaela and I hadn’t talked about yet.
“So, what is the plan here?” I asked.
“I think it’s time you both make a visit to the king. I know that’s the last thing Adaela wants, but you must protect her at all costs. She is the key to making sure everything doesn’t fail,” she replied.
“What does this entail? I need to know what I’m getting myself into.” I stretched. It felt like it had been hours, but the sun was still shining outside like no time had passed at all. I remembered that time moved differently in Underhill, and I’d likely been up for more than a day at this point.
“You know the story of King Cernunnos, right? That his quest for power knows no bounds and that he usurped the throne? His mate, Ardent, was Adaela’s mother, who he brutally murdered when Adaela was born.
He had an heir and no desire to share his throne.
The man is brutality personified, and he runs his kingdom by fear.
He doesn’t have all that much power and isn’t connected to Underhill, so he seeks magical objects to make sure that his power remains intact.
Underhill, however, has always taken to Adaela, and Cernunnos’s jealousy of his only living heir has caused her immense pain at his hands,” Yaga told me.
I was unsurprised, based off what little Adaela had told me about her father, but my heart still hurt for her.
She had fought so hard to get out of his clutches, yet my mistake in rushing through the portal brought her right back here under his clutches.
I was honestly shocked that Yaga was so blatantly speaking treason in his lands.
I guessed we were really in the Summer Court now, so maybe it wasn’t as big of a deal as I was making it. The Summer king hated Cernunnos.
Regardless, Yaga was right. I needed to protect Adaela at all costs. “Is it possible I could leave her in your care while I speak with the king?” I asked.
“I’m afraid not. You wouldn’t be let in the door without her.
The two of you need to replenish yourselves and make yourselves known the next time King Cernunnos holds court, which should be tomorrow.
I will let the two of you rest up and plan your approach.
You need answers, and I believe that King Cernunnos is as good a place to start as any.
The Elves, while welcome in Underhill, haven’t made nearly as much progress as you all might want to think.
” She paused, choosing her next words carefully.
“I have a guest bedroom here. The two of you are welcome to use it for the night. I will make stew to help you replenish your reserves. No debt will be owed.”
I nodded, but my focus on Adaela was sleeping in the other room. She seemed at peace in her slumber, and I was hesitant to wake her to plan what we would have to do in the morning, but it was unfortunately necessary. She’d at least gotten a decent nap.
Slowly, I uncurled myself from the barstool, stretching as I stood up. I walked over to Adaela, going to my knees on the floor to gently wake my gorgeous girl up. I ran my hand up her shirt, touching the skin of her back softly. “Sweet girl,” I murmured. “Come on, baby girl, it’s time to wake up.”
She jumped, and I resisted chuckling. She was a light sleeper, and I was surprised she’d slept through Yaga and I talking.
Those post-cry naps were always some of my favorites.
She needed good rest tonight, and I’d make sure that she got it, as much as I’d rather be doing other things.
I had a feeling we’d be awake well into the evening strategizing, and I needed her at her best.