Chapter 24
Ael
“What happened?” Ael asked as he stood from his chair and rushed to Praxis, helping him into an empty chair. “Where’s everyone else?”
Praxis was gasping, as if he had sprinted the entire way home from the wall.
He took a deep breath and looked at everyone with wild eyes.
“We got to the wall, and there were dead Lycanthropes scattered around. We made our way to the other side to check for any survivors, and a Jotnar was lurking around the corner, waiting for anyone else to arrive. We all fought him with everything we had and took him down, but we lost many in the fight. Ojore, that grumpy asshole, didn’t fucking listen to us and went off in his own direction, toward Tuath. ”
Praxis reached for a glass of water and gulped it down, droplets slipping past his lips and dripping onto his shirt.
When he finished, he wiped his mouth and said, “We had just a few survivors and returned as quickly as possible. Ael, I believe now is the time to get involved with them. If the Jotnar are attacking on their end, it won’t be long before they turn their attention here as well. ”
Ael looked up at Roya before locking eyes with Seda. “We need those stones,” he stated.
“What do we do about Ojore?” Benny asked nervously.
Roya sighed. “We should split up to explore what more we can discover in Tuath. I propose accompanying Ael and Seda to La Uma. Ferona will remain here with Luelle. Askold, you’ll go with Benny and any others interested in heading to Tuath.”
Benny stood. “Roya, you know I don’t want to split from you.”
“You and I both heard that La Uma doesn’t like men, Benny. Ojore needs your help in Tuath. When we leave here, I’ll call upon the Corvids to see if we can get additional help. They will allow us to communicate.”
The room was silent as everyone thought over Roya’s suggestions.
“I think that’s a good plan, Roya,” Seda spoke, breaking the silence.
Ael glanced at Seda. Joining her on the trip to the monster north was risky, but he couldn’t separate himself from her. His priority was to protect her at all costs, even if it meant he had to confront La Uma alone. He would do it… For her.
He placed his hand on Seda’s warm thigh once more, and she glanced at him. He would stay with her. He had to.
“We leave first thing in the morning,” he said to everyone. “But first, Luelle, come with me to find Meir and Neoma.”
Ael glanced up at the birds flying above as they walked along the long hall towards the Western Wing. He could hear Luelle’s footsteps in her silken flats as they walked alongside each other. His neck prickled when he noticed how she kept glancing at him.
“So…” she started, and he groaned. He already knew what she wanted to talk about. “First orgasm, huh? What were you doing wrong all those years if she never had one?”
He ground his teeth together and lied through them, “Searching for the Dark Stone.”
“Mmmhmmm,” she replied, obviously not believing him. He looked over at her, and she was smiling from ear to ear, her face bright. “How long have you wanted to do that?”
Damn, she was persistent, and she wasn’t going to stop until he gave her some information. “For far too long.”
“Did you two—”
But he interrupted her. “No, Luelle. We didn’t. And I don’t wish to share the details. It’s disrespectful toward her. If she wishes to share, you can ask her.”
She rolled her eyes and grumbled, “Fine. But I am happy for you, friend. Honestly, I haven’t seen you swoon over someone like this before. I can see how special she is to you.”
He couldn’t help but smile in response. “She really is. I’d do anything for her.”
They stopped when they reached the Western Wing, and Ael looked around at the hallway filled with doors. “Do you know which room she’s in?” he asked.
“Nope. It’s one of these, though. Let’s knock until we find her.”
They stopped at the first door, and Ael pounded on it. When no one answered, he opened the door, and they both walked in.
“This isn’t it,” Luelle said as she eyed the furniture around the room.
They left the room and kept knocking and opening doors, once walking in on someone changing. The woman screamed when they strode in, but quickly apologized when she realized who was in her room.
When they left that room, they both laughed, and Luelle said, “She apologized to us!”
When they finally went in through the last door, Luelle stopped in the doorway, staring at the furnishings. “This was it.”
They looked around at the pristinely made bed, the neatly arranged furniture and accessories, and the absence of anyone in the room.
“Are you sure?” Ael asked as he walked into the bathroom and looked inside. The bathroom was just as empty as the main bedroom. He looked over at Luelle, who was nodding her head and chewing her lip.
“Well, one problem down, one to go,” Ael said with a sigh as he ran his hand over his face. He needed to find Meir now and wasn’t entirely looking forward to that conversation.
Actually, he didn’t need to find Meir at all. Meir would come to him.
He hardened his face into iron and turned to Luelle. “I’ll be in the throne room. Tell the guards to find Meir and bring him to me.”
He turned and left the empty room, leaving Luelle behind as she stared at the painting above the bed, her focus fixed on the tiny hole.
Ael listened to the tapping of Luelle’s shoe as Meir and Neoma were pushed before him. The guards found them fucking in the garden maze, and leaves were still tangled in Neoma’s dark hair.
“Your Highness… Please,” Meir blubbered before him.
Ael ground his teeth together while Meir begged for forgiveness. “You were made aware that Neoma was no longer allowed on the castle grounds. You’ve also been conspiring against me for unknown reasons. I no longer trust you, Meir.”
“We were just saying goodbye, Sire,” Meir begged. “She was on her way out of the castle as you caught us.”
Ael shifted his gaze to Neoma, who was glaring at him with darkened eyes.
“Neoma, you’re never allowed back at the castle. Meir, you are suspended from your services for three months. I don’t know what the two of you have been up to, but it’s not welcome here.”
Meir gasped and fell onto his knees, begging Ael from the floor and looking up at him sitting upon his throne.
“Guards, escort them off the castle grounds. Don’t let them come back in. Meir, after three months, you may request an audience.” He glanced at both of them before turning his attention to the guards. “Take them out.”
Ael watched as they were both led away from the throne room and waited for the double doors to close behind them, leaving only himself and Luelle behind.
Luelle cleared her throat and said, “About gods-damned-time, Ael.” She raised her eyebrow as she looked at him sitting on the throne.
He sighed. “Yes, about gods-damn-time.” Ael stood from his chair, ran his hand over his face, and stepped down the stairs. “You should be fine now while I’m gone. Please ask Ferona to contact us if anything happens.”
He looked back over his shoulder at Luelle, who smirked before sinking into the throne in his place.
“I’ll keep everything under control, Ael.” She wiggled her eyebrows and idly picked at her painted red nails before crossing her legs as Ael opened the door to leave.
“Ael?” she asked, and he paused halfway through the door. He looked back over his shoulder at her. “Come back, please.”
He turned away from her and left the room.