Chapter 19 #2
“It is okay, little mate. I was going to talk to you about this later, and it is nothing so urgent we must discuss it now. To answer your question, Hadrian—yes, in those instances they were able to conceive. There was magic involved with the help of the Fae. It was only successful once the human mates had been given plenty of time to acclimate into dragon culture. Their bodies, through Fae magic, adapted for the most part. The Fae were there to ensure the pregnancies were sustained. They carried fully to term, and the children were full dragon shifters. Their only human traits were that they were able to blend in better with society and hide their scent from others.”
"Hide their scent?" Eden asked curiously.
Romilly smirked, looking sideways at his brother for a moment. "Yes, hide their scent. Good thing you do not have that skill. You would be up to no good."
Eden had a twinkle in his eyes that Archer noted. Romilly was right; the youngest of the Saints would use a skill like scent-masking to cause havoc. They were all sure of it, because the other two laughed.
“As for the rest of the information, it is pretty standard. The mating process was the same all throughout, and the humans lived an extended life.”
Archer hummed happily, tapping his fingers against his mate's chest where he was holding on tightly.
“Yes, little mate, I know it is very exciting. The future for us is bright. Later, when we're not in the middle of something, we can look into a discussion about our future and whether or not you want children.”
Archer nodded, confirming that the discussion could wait. His mind was already running through different scenarios. Having a child with Romilly, a biological one, would be amazing. It was intriguing, but not so much that he would interrupt his mate's current plan.
The conversation ended there, because they had arrived at the entrance to another set of elaborate doors. They opened as soon as Romilly approached.
Archer didn't know if there was some type of sensor, like they had in the human world, or if one of the dragons had commanded it. Maybe someone was watching out for them and pulled them open.
It didn't matter. As soon as there was enough room, Romilly strode inside, Archer on his hip, the three other dragons flanking behind him.
The chamber, as Romilly had described it, was a large room with chairs stationed in a round, circular space. Each large chair was filled with a different person. Well, a different dragon, Archer would have to guess. He looked at them one by one, trying to see if he could guess which was Nicholas.
As luck would have it, he didn't have to assume, because Silas Saint, patriarch of the family, had one man gripped by the neck and pressed to the floor in a kneeling position.
There was a shimmering light around his body, and the healer Archer recognized from checking in on him stood on the man's other side, body in a position of attention, like you would see a military member.
His gaze was on the man, his lips mumbling something.
It was magic. Archer knew as much, but seeing it was so different. He felt such wonder at all of it—the dragons, the magic, the mate bond.
Romilly moved through the room toward the largest chair in the space. He walked up the stairs to what Archer would consider a throne, turned around, and sat, shifting Archer into his lap. He wrapped his arms around his mate, pulling him into his chest.
Archer leaned back, facing the room as a whole. The Council members surrounding them watched. Their expressions were neutral, but Archer could pick up on some of the emotions surrounding them.
He wondered if this was some type of new magic he had. Did being Romilly's mate give him powers in some way? First the tug in his gut to track someone and now picking up on emotions. He'd have to ask about it when they were done here.
Soren, Eden, and Hadrian had followed Romilly and taken up position beside his throne. They were standing, and it didn't make them any less intense. They were guards, sentries over their king and brother.
Silas spoke once everyone was in position. "We are calling this immediate emergency Council meeting because there is proof that Nicholas here has betrayed our people. He has gone against his horde."
Nicholas opened his mouth to speak, but before he could utter a sound, that same shimmering magic covered his mouth.
Silas chuckled darkly. For the first time, Archer saw the power in the other man.
He had been calm and gentle before, welcoming in a way that Archer had accepted as a fatherly gesture.
He wouldn't question now just how strong the dragon was, just how much power he truly had.
"We do not need to hear your words, Nicholas. There is far too much proof to show your ways."
One of the Council members, a woman who didn't look older than her late forties but had to be ancient, given the power around her, spoke up. "As much as we all enjoy seeing Nicholas brought down a peg, can we get on with this? I was in the middle of something and would like to get back to it."
Silas nodded once. "Yes, Titania. We understand. This will not take long."
Silas went about explaining the situation just as Romilly had, that there had been a marked wolf and that it was aimed at Archer.
He explained that the Fae had lent a hand, and how Silas and Hadrian had discovered everything.
The Council listened without interruption.
Their expressions remained neutral, but the energy in the room was darkening.
Archer shivered at how it cloaked the space, bringing a sort of power to it he didn't understand and truly didn't want to.
Romilly leaned over, his mouth pressed against Archer's ear. “You are safe, little one. They are mad at Nicholas, not you.”
Archer leaned over, pressing his temple to Romilly's cheek. The connection pulsed more energy between them, and it soothed Archer. He took a deep breath, and the scent that entered his nose was earthy and soothing, like a warm blanket wrapped around him near the fireplace. He blinked rapidly.
What was that? Another question for later.
Silas eventually finished his explanation. Romilly took over from there.
"I believe you have all seen the proof. There is no need for this to go further.
Nicholas should be removed from the Council and stripped of the power he has over the horde.
I am tempted to strip his dragon powers as well, though that has not been done in so long, and I would like to not cause any chaos amongst our people. "
The woman who had spoken before joined in.
"We could at least imprison him, so that he does not run off anywhere to warn the Fae.
If, down the road, more evidence comes forward and he should be stripped of his power, the rest of the horde will understand.
I believe they will be just as furious with him for his betrayal.
Your mate is loved, Your Majesty. He holds more favor than Nicholas ever could. "
Archer leaned forward at that, his eyes wide.
The woman had turned to look at Romilly, but her gaze drifted to Archer.
Then she smiled, dipping her head slowly.
"Yes, human, you are honored for your position as our king's mate.
The fact that you survived a marked wolf and have restored yourself to full health will be even more proof of how perfect a match you are for him. "
Archer wiggled on Romilly's lap, happy as could be.