Chapter 16 Evira #2
One purpose of doing that had been obviously to free her.
And to put an end to the forced secrecy of their relationship, like they’d both really needed.
It had methodically and seemingly naturally spread the word via students here talking and messaging with outside connections of family and friends, the news traveling all over.
It hadn’t been done in an overt, harsh statement way, but naturally, which we’d wanted in order to add a normalization element to it.
It had also been used in a more calculated way.
We’d tied Exalt’s name to it, made it known that both of them were members, knowing well that there would be blowback from the Light Fae Realm and that the Maven Coven would be forced to respond on behalf of River.
Basically, we’d made it clear right out of the gate that we were making moves, that we had the means to do so without the power of the crown or a coven to bring such a thing about.
Since then, Octana’s father had pushed back by demanding she return home to answer for her “indiscretions and disgrace to the kingdom.” The harsh nature of that had initially had her reeling, but I’d talked it over with her, and explained that she held power she hadn’t allowed herself to recognize—that her father had tried all too hard to keep hidden from her.
She was the oldest sibling, the only one fit, steady, and equipped to take the throne in his stead.
He needed her. He’d just been operating for far too long in the opposite way and feeding her that narrative to keep her in line, under his control.
Instead of merely refusing to return, which would have been turned back on her as her needing more control and even him likely claiming that her disobeying was a threat to the stability of the Light Fae Realm, we’d done something else.
I’d reached out to some contacts I had in prominent diplomatic roles within the Dracoryn Realm and Octana had been invited for a cultural exchange symposium there—which, yes, coincided directly with her father’s orders for her to return.
Given that Exalt’s name was now out there, he’d know the game we were playing, yet he also couldn’t refuse and force her without causing issues with inter-realm relations between the Dracoryn Realm and the Light Fae Realm.
It was deeply satisfying, honestly.
And long overdue.
I’d begun to put things in place where the outlook on Winter was concerned.
My people seeing him as death incarnate and my relationship with him as unfavorable, to put it mildly.
It would assist that situation, but also far beyond that.
I’d been documenting instances of Winter’s “saves” and “assists” around Loxley Academy, with Vaxan’s help, as he’d witnessed many of them right at the start of the year when he’d been observing Winter closely—alright, stalking him in his specific way.
I was leaking that information, let’s say, strategically.
And Vaxan was spreading it even further with his contacts, many who weren’t known to be directly connected to him, so when word did spread it wouldn’t be seen as one of Winter’s boyfriends just advocating for him because of that.
“I’m loving this,” River commented, now he’d finished reviewing the entire document—twice.
He was very detail-oriented and extremely thorough.
Octana was so similar to him in that respect, something they had in common without a doubt, but she absorbed things faster—sort of in a frantic rush, which made sense with her anxiety-inducing childhood and the way she was always on edge waiting for the next harsh move from her father or his court.
“What’s that?” I asked, not able to see with the angle he was holding the papers, as I was sitting opposite him and Octana.
We were having our meeting in The Archive Annex, floating sleek black bookshelves surrounding us, marble tabletops and cozy black leather chairs furnishing the space.
“The Ledger. Building a private record of confirmed coercion attempts of heirs and those holding limited power, blackmail, political favors used to force proximity, other such access plays, underhanded dealings, illicit alliances.”
“A nuclear option?” Octana questioned.
“Always have something in your back pocket. Especially with the level of power play and stakes we’re dealing with. I think we’ve each felt the weight of that all too much,” I said.
A knowing, heavy look passed between us.
“No more,” River growled.
Octana nodded and held his hand on the tabletop.
“I’m sorry, by the way, Evira,” River told me.
I arched an eyebrow. “What about?”
“In the documents, justifying the need for Exalt, for us heirs to come together, you mentioned what was done to you. You kept a name out of it, but I’m guessing it was Keuric.
A fucking predator who exploited diplomatic proximity and almost pulled off an illicit dynastic violation—an attempted bloodline seizure.
That’s… it’s really brutal. Beyond abusive.
And I’m sorry you had to go through that. ”
“Thank you.”
“Never again, Evira,” Octana said, beaming at me. “Okay?”
“Once this all gets going and it’s in full swing, there’s no way in fuck it’s gonna be ever again,” River said.
“Exactly,” I agreed. “The particular complexities regarding the power we hold as heirs invites some dangerous vulnerabilities. And that’s something Exalt will work to rectify.”
“Sovereign Strategists,” Octana spoke. “That’s us.”
“Love that,” I said.
River nodded. “Power outside the throne.”
Damn fucking straight.
That was it exactly.
“All right, we’ll go over Narrative Preemption for the rest of the session.
We’ll wait on the Charter until all members are here.
For the Sanction Ladder, which includes three stages: private warnings, withdrawal of access, and diplomatic friction, we’ll wait until Vaxan is here.
He has some assets who will prove useful alongside ours.
From there we’ll work out leverage statuses, and actionable items,” I said.
“Great,” Octana said. “Let’s do it.”
River smiled out at her. “It’s awesome to me, too, my darling.”
“Right there with you,” I said, the three of us brimming with excitement.
This was really going to be something.
Something that would make a difference, that would shift things.
Something long overdue.
I smiled to myself and settled in.
I clutched my documentation to me as I walked through the quad, intending to get something to eat in the Cafeteria in the hour I had before my Primal Mastery class.
Right after, Zayn would be done with his classes for the day, and Winter and Vaxan were slated to be back shortly afterward.
My phone buzzed in my coat pocket, and I pulled it out, happy to see a long overdue text.
It had been a few days since we’d last spoken—both of us busy.
Me with classes and the intensive curriculum here, Exalt, and my boys.
And him having to balance his role with the Dracoryn Core and the new Crown Heir title he was now holding.
Torvek: You’re making waves all over the place, little sis.
I smiled to myself, knowing well what he was talking about.
I hadn’t just gotten Octana that cultural tour of the Dracoryn Realm with a diplomatic overlay—I had my grandma doing it.
Well, when I’d told her about it all, she’d actually volunteered.
She didn’t exactly take well to a young woman being kept down beneath a boot.
And the great Elyrren Vortimer getting involved was no small thing.
In fact, it was almost a threat to King Heryn of the Light Fae Realm.
Almost—that was where the line was drawn to keep things…
safe. Didn’t mean it didn’t invite a whole lot of pressure, though.
Evira: I see you heard about Exalt.
Torvek: Strangely, not from you directly.
Evira: Same, regarding how you’re getting on with being Interim Crown Heir.
Torvek: Sorry, snow cub, I thought it would be uncomfortable. Should’ve known better. You’ve got this whole thing with Exalt going on. Crown Heir is so passe, hmm?
Evira: LMAO. Love you too, flame bite.
Torvek: We need to meet soon. I miss you.
Evira: Aww. You’re so emotionally available today.
Torvek: Really, Evi?
Evira: No, I love it. And I really miss you, too.
Torvek: Bring your boyfriends along.
I startled.
Evira: You’re serious?
Torvek: They’ve become a big part of your life. Important to you = important to me. And, yes, even Winter. Unless he’s still sore about my beat down.
Evira: Winter doesn’t hold grudges. You’re good.
Torvek: Then, we’ll set it up.
Evira: Perfect.
Evira: Will Fanor be coming along on your end?
Torvek: Wow. That was sledgehammer non-subtle. Even for you, Evi.
Evira: You mentioned my boyfriends, then you can’t bring her up? What else am I left with, T?
Torvek: She and I are just friends now.
I frowned and stopped walking.
Evira: No. Why?
Torvek: Easier.
Evira: You were so close.
Torvek: Right. Too close. The danger is too great. If she found out about what I really am, it’ll ruin everything.
Evira: You trust her, though. I’ve seen it.
Torvek: If she accepts that in me, it will make it harder for me to hide it. I might want to do it, invoke those abilities. And everything will come crashing down.
Evira: Your standing in the Dracoryn Realm isn’t fragile like that.
Torvek: Like yours wasn’t?
I winced.
Evira: Ouch.
Torvek: Sorry. But you know what I mean.
Evira: It’s not the same.
Torvek: It is to me. Anyway, I have to go. We’ll set that meet-up. See you soon, Evi.
Evira: Love you, T.
I sighed heavily as I pocketed my phone.
This was not what he deserved.
This loneliness. Never able to show anyone his true self. And so much fear of how those around him would take it if it did ever get out.
The similarity to Winter’s situation was disturbing.
And so very sad.
“Crown Heir!”
I jolted.
That title being called out suddenly in the middle of the quad was surprising enough.
But the voice itself?