About That #13
I shrugged, “So?” Aiden laughed, “You are such fun. Moving on, my cousin told me about some tablets of medicine you eat to bring back Fairy powers. I would like to invest in it.” I shrugged, “That’s not necessary, you can just have it. I did it for Xander and his family. Which you are part of.”
Aiden snorted, “You intended to give it to me all along, didn’t you?” I answered, “Yes. It was the ultimate goal to give them to everyone because… I could sell them… people say that a lot… but that was never the goal. Money shouldn’t prevent people from getting something that saves their life.”
Aiden commented, “You are a rare gem,” and handed me a folder, “This is a business partnership specifically concerning the tablet production in Faerie. I have separate ones for the serum and gel packs. I want to start with tablet production in Faerie. I’d like you to review it.”
I said, “Ok… I’m going to agree though. You wouldn’t have put anything shady into it or that would upset Xander.” Aiden nodded, “You’re correct.” I wanted to change the subject, so I asked, “Did Haley talk to you about opening a clothing store?”
Aiden laughed, “You are a delight. Yes, that’s what my sister and I talked about today in part. The conversation led to other things. I would be more than delighted for my sister to open a store there with her ball gowns.”
“I texted Lucinda about it now the whole realm is aflutter. They love the clothes Haley wears and the clothes she dresses others in. It’s already popular. Yet another thing I have to thank you for. Now, why is Kingsley in Missouri?”
I explained, “She has contacts I don’t. I want the name of the Vampire who can compel people, and I want to know where he is. Her research led her there… and the only person I am aware of who could do it… is supposedly dead. So I’m hoping she confirms whether he is or not.”
Aiden grinned, “I know who could do it as well but you’re correct. He is supposed to be finally dead.” I pointed out, “So is my family.” Aiden nodded, “True. I knew King Damon’s former lieutenant had the ability. We clearly both know he should’ve died when Eric and their forces invaded.”
I postulated my theory to him, “Unless Sherman was part of the plot in the first place. Someone had to point Fabian at King Damon to barter with Haley as the prize. Nothing I’ve found indicates King Damon was in the Ring.”
“Which means they had no reason to approach him. Someone must have known who Haley really was… who her father was… and what that meant for Damon. Or they figured after a steady diet of the blood of a royal Fairy… that eventually he’d go insane and have to be put down.”
“Or the plan was to take Haley back after a period of time… then someone would have to kill him because he’d go crazy without her blood. So, the question is… what did King Damon do that the Ring didn’t like?”
Aiden tilted his head, “You just get more and more interesting. I’m sure that’s an angle you are looking into.” I sighed, “Not really… well kind of… not hard anyway. Damon is long since dead. His dealings, once I found out he wasn’t part of the Ring… didn’t matter to me. I’ll look again.”
Aiden smiled, “As will I.” He looked away, “That act of his, and the move he made to get Haley, took away a lot of things.” He was right.
That fractured the promised siblings. Oh my god.
That’s what it was about. It wasn’t about Damon at all!
Someone in the Ring didn’t like him and they used him to fracture the promised siblings, ensuring his eventual death. Vampires are patient after all.
Aiden asked, “What was that look? By the way, you said some of that out loud.” Ugh that had to be my curse. Freya snorted, “It’s cute.” It was not. I said, “It wasn’t about Damon at all. It was about you guys.”
Aiden frowned, “What do you mean?” I explained, “It was about separating the promised siblings. In our reality… you and Haley stood opposite of Arion. You didn’t know you were the promised siblings. Arion didn’t know going against Haley, and you, would fracture his soul.”
“Haley didn’t know she could fix him. Someone in the Ring didn’t like Damon for sure, but they knew about you guys. You were the target and the goal. Did Fabian know? I bet he didn’t. He would’ve used Haley in a very different way. Along with you guys…”
Aiden interjected, “I can literally hear your brain working. It’s like it’s attached to your mouth.
” I cringed, “Sorry… I could be wrong… that’s probably…
.” Aiden shook his head saying, “No, that makes the most sense. I have been trying to figure out why Damon for quite some time. There was nothing in my uncle’s notes to suggest Damon had something he wanted.
That is how many of his dealings came about.
Someone had something he wanted or he wanted them to keep secret. Damon is the outlier.”
I whispered, “I’m sorry… I know sometimes I say insensitive things…
I don’t really mean to… they just come out.
” Aiden looked away before replying, “I actually like that about you, because it’s very much how the Fae can be.
We say things as they are. All the things you’re saying though, mean my mother knew. ”
I winced, “Alania probably planned on having Haley back in Faerie to fix Arion… if that helps.” Aiden snorted, “Not really. She whispered in my brother’s ear knowing it could be his demise.
” I said, “Honestly… I hate her a lot from the things I’ve read…
and she had to help the Ring get Angela… . So, I don’t like her at all.”
“After spending time in the belly of the beast of the Ring I’ll say that I’m sure in Alania’s mind she was doing what she had to. She wanted to keep herself alive, which meant keeping Fabian alive by any means necessary… but logically she knew he was awful her entire life… or his… she’s older.”
“Alania also knew how to fix Arion. The question is how she was going to do it without Arion or Haley discovering they were the promised siblings… it would’ve been easier for Haley to fix him without her realizing it… but Arion himself? He’d have to know. Arion would’ve known his soul fractured.”
Aiden said, “I’ll ask her.” I knew I didn’t want to be Alania when Aiden asked. I offered, “She probably won’t tell you.” Aiden snorted, “Maybe. My brother and father live there though. They can make her miserable until she does tell someone. My Uncle Lochtan delights in ruining her day.”
I shrugged, “I doubt Alania knows who is truly behind everything. She wouldn’t have wanted to see that.
She would’ve looked for just enough in her own mind.
Alania’s far too self-centered to admit someone who had been running a century long villainous, and duplicitous, Ring was smarter than she could dream to be. ”
“Though… they have gotten lax about it and let others run it… I can’t decide if they got bored… or they don’t care anymore… or they are baiting us into the big fight. There are other options… so… I’m just not sure which one is right.”
Aiden said, “I know you are correct in your insight on my mother. Alania was not the mastermind she thought herself to be. She lost her mate and child to death. Then lost her other two children by her actions.”
I asked, “Alania didn’t just die, did she? I mean… there’s no way she did. I’ve read a lot about life forces being tied.” Aiden laughed, “You’re asking the wrong side of your mate’s family that question. I myself saw my mother’s body turn to dust in her bed.”
I studied him before replying, “Evasive.” Freya chimed in, “This is quite the juicy family drama! I’m with you. Alania suffered at the hands of the Hackura and probably even the Fairy King.” Yeah, he’d definitely get in on it because he had every right to be furious.
Aiden smirked, “Is it?” I nodded, “Yes. People can make bodies look like other people. A Witch you are related to by marriage can. Megan is a very powerful Witch… and she would’ve been angry enough to do it.”
“I mean… no one could blame her really… like you’re pregnant and your mate lets himself die? Because now she definitely knows he wouldn’t let Haley heal him… because that’s the only way he can die… so… you know that… stop talking about that Melanie.”
“Let’s talk about the Hackura… yes. They also had to be angry… I just don’t think Alania died peacefully. The probability is around ninety-eight percent that she didn’t… and I’ll honestly be pretty sad if the two percent off chance is correct… because she totally deserved to suffer.”
Aiden said, “It might be best to discuss that theory with the Hackura when my sister is not around.” I frowned, “I’d never tell Haley that. I think it would hurt her feelings.” Aiden tilted his head, “Interesting. That’s not how I would’ve phrased the hurt my sister would feel.”
I explained, “Well… I think it’s the only way to put it.
You guys have been keeping it secret from her for years.
I’m sure she had some things to say to that woman.
In the beginning, sure it had to be kept secret.
Now, it probably annoys Haley that Alania got a peaceful death with all the havoc she’s caused. ”
Aiden seemed to understand my logic. My mate’s Fairy Uncle shrugged, “For my part, I saw Alania’s body turn to dust.” I laughed, “That’s your story and you’re sticking to it then.” Aiden smiled, “Plus, it’s true.”
I reasoned, “An evasive truth. You knew it wasn’t really Alania’s body. Does Haley not read books in Faerie? She had to be curious about life ties.” Aiden wryly answered, “Maybe there’s a charm cast so she can’t see books or passages about tying life forces. Or maybe she doesn’t care.”
I snorted, “So you cast a charm, and Haley might not care. If Alania was my mom I wouldn’t spare her a moment of space in my head.” Aiden laughed, “Consider telling my nephew soon about your identity in the Resistance.”