Chapter 18 #2
Romilly tucked the pages away, then rolled up the scroll and placed it behind the others. He didn't want anyone else to come in and find it just yet. If he needed to use it for proof, he had to know exactly where it was.
As he tucked away the scroll, he could hear footsteps. He turned to find his father striding into the room.
"Hello, my son," Silas said.
"Father," Romilly replied. "You have been out and about with Hadrian, yes?"
Romilly already knew the answer to this.
He had seen Hadrian earlier when he came to retrieve Archer with Eden at his side.
His brother had been tight-lipped about what Silas and him had been doing, but Romilly knew his father would share details.
Hadrian probably just didn't want to step out of line, given his father was the point of contact and the more powerful dragon.
Romilly faced his father head-on, because he knew in an instant whatever was about to be shared was going to upset him.
"I come bearing news," Silas started. "The wolf that attacked Archer, the one with the white on its tail, has been discovered. It is not a feral wolf. It is a marked wolf."
Romilly froze at that news. Marked wolves were a thing of legend, something that had long since died off, even before he was born. "But that would mean—" Romilly said, stopping himself before he could utter the words.
"Yes," his father replied. "It means that someone created the wolf with a specific task. This is dark Fae magic. Intentional magic." Silas emphasized the words.
Romilly's mind went haywire. If someone was being intentional with their dark magic and they attacked Archer, that meant someone was after his mate. Someone was looking to hurt him, even before Romilly had found him. His father could read his expression and nodded solemnly.
"Yes, there is trouble with this discovery, son. We will not allow that to happen. Archer is to remain in the castle under our protection."
Romilly's dragon rose to the surface, wanting to play the role of guardian. His eyes glowed and scales appeared on his arm quickly. He could feel a shift brewing, but then his father's hand was on the back of his neck, gripping him tightly, grounding him into reality.
When his gaze cleared enough that he knew his human body was in control, his father smiled. "Yes, I know you want to go protect him. Unfortunately, there is more."
Romilly waited as his father paused long enough that he could fully calm down. As he started to speak again, Romilly understood why his father had been patient.
"The wolf was captured and we were able to assess with the help of the Fae healer who took care of Archer where the magic came from. It was from the Sablemere faction. The one trying to take over in the Fae lands."
Romilly held still.
Silas continued on. "The faction is losing ground.
They are desperate. Out of fear they are looking for other ways to take power.
With the help of the Fae healer, Hadrian, and some intel from Soren's report, we were able to also find out that the reason the marked wolf was able to find Archer and hurt him on our land was because they had inside help. "
Romilly took a deep breath in and on the exhale, he said, "Nicholas."
His father didn't have to nod to confirm it, though he did. Nicholas Harbour had been a thorn in both of their sides. He was more so that way with Romilly considering their age difference and his belief that Romilly wasn't fit to lead.
"So this is what it comes down to," Romilly said, voice grave. "He has already called to have my mating revoked. He brought a formal objection to my office earlier. I told him to meet us in two days with the Council. That is why I am here. I wanted proof that human and dragon pairings were safe."
His father released his neck and took a step back.
"Yes, I had a feeling of that. I am glad we made it back in time because you're going to need the support with the Council.
We are also going to need to remove Nicholas from his position of power.
He cannot be left there. He put everyone in danger.
This is more than the Fae versus wolves of old.
This is a deliberate attempt to ensure you never had a mate.
He wanted to make sure you never retrieved the power that is blessed upon you. "
Romilly thought about the part of the mating he hadn’t told Archer where once they were fully bonded he would have even more power than before. It made sense that Nicholas would try to stop that. The older man would fight from every angle he could.
"He will not win," Romilly said. "I will not let him, and I shall never give up my mate."
Silas grinned. "Damn right. No Saint of mine is going to go without their person. Your mother and I have your back completely, as do your siblings, I'm sure. We will be a unified front."
"Good." Romilly smiled as best he could with the anger coursing through his body.
They stood there silently for another moment, their hearts beating, their breaths calm, their dragons subdued.
Romilly knew his animal was preparing for battle.
Whether it be a full-blown war or simply an argument, it didn't matter because what was on the line was greater than anything he could risk.
He would do all he could to protect it.