Chapter 31 #2
“I will allow Calpurnia the promotion to spy master, and I will work on the council redacting the law but I just don’t see why you need to be official, you can be together and be happy, because you are fated mates, you have a bond equal to chosen mates without having to go through the blood binding ceremony, challenging this law is going to cause a lot of problems, why is it so important?
” I ask defeated. Cercies stood and placed his hand on my shoulder.
“Brother, this isn’t just about the Law of Flesh, it’s about all Holy Laws!
You have sent me into villages of our enemies with orders to slaughter those who do not uphold our ideologies, when you, yourself do not uphold them, I cannot serve a kingdom who would rather kill to uphold traditions that we no longer wish to practice than fight to change them. ”
His words cut through me almost as sharp as the guilt did. But he needed to be careful, speaking like that could get him killed.
Trying to reason with him I asked, “are you saying that you will resign as General? You and I both know there is no resignation from General, it is life long, the council will murder you!”
“The council has bigger problems to deal with. A missive came in right before this meeting via messenger hawk, they are giving us a month to free all our enslaved population or the water and Shadow Fae will invade, if we just let them go the other kingdoms will leave us be.”
Delilah stood abruptly.
“That’s what this war is about?! Slavery? You wanted me to go on a suicide mission so you could kill the enemies that want to free your slaves?!!” Delilah began to shout in outrage and disgust, her harshness killed me, but I needed to address Cercies first.
“Don’t you think I’ve considered that? It’s not my fault I was given this mess my father left me!
We are talking about a full economic collapse and a complete restructuring of society, plus the council will never go for it, my hands are tied…
for this to even be a possibility the entire council would have to be eliminated. ”
I protested. But to my surprise the disgust on her face softened. I was not expecting her to see all of me, all of the ugly. All of the evil and understand, accept me.
He offered me a warm, encouraging look. “I never said it would be easy, but you don’t have to face this alone. The Kingdom of Flame needs a leader, brother, and I know you have it in you.” He said.
Then I felt a soft, warm hand slip into mine and squeeze gently. I looked into my Pickles’ beautiful eyes as her delicate voice said, “We are the apples that fell far from their trees…”
I nodded. She gave me strength. I wanted to make a better world for her. For the first time, I felt like I might be able to make this realm safer for her and my future heirs without the God Dragon—I just needed a plan.
Reforming Fire Fae tradition was going to be one hell of a battle. But for her, I would do it. Besides, I was tired of living in the wake of my father’s mistakes.
“Well, Calpurnia, my only concern is this—a spy master needs a dragon. Is that something you are willing to learn?” I asked my half-sister.
She squealed. “Yes! Yes! Oh, my Guardians, yes! I have always wanted to fly a dragon. It would be an honor, My Lord.”
"Please, just Titus is fine." I corrected. “Then congratulations on being the first Fae female to be employed on the royal court and to fly a dragon,” I said warmly.
She hugged Cercies and mouthed the words thank you to him.
“I’ll tell Aurelius to get you on the schedule for riding lessons,” Cercies replied.
Delilah cut in. I could tell she felt uncomfortable with what she was about to say. She looked at me.
“About that—I don’t know how to say this, but Aurelius asked me to run away with him today. He may not be as loyal to you as you think.”
Betrayal cut deep with a dull blade.
I couldn’t say I was surprised. Things between us had been strained for some time. I hoped it was a moment of weakness. The Dragon Master had always been more talk than action.
My flames threatened to rip through my skin, but I restrained them. I needed to handle this delicately. I was still determining exactly where my other brothers’ loyalties lay.
“And what did you say?” I asked evenly, shielding my emotions.
Her brows pinched together. “I told him no. That I love you and I am not leaving my friends to die in a war I can help prevent.”
“And his response?”
“He was upset at first, but then seemed accepting.”
Just as I thought. Typical Aurelius—emotional, impulsive, but ultimately weak. If he became a problem, it would be difficult… but I would wipe him from this realm for her.
“I wouldn’t worry,” I said nonchalantly. “He’s always been… sensitive. He’s not one to follow through.”
“He’s right,” Cercies agreed with a nod.
“You can’t be serious,” Delilah protested. “He already tried to kill you once at the SkyGuard feast. I’m telling you, he’s dangerous.”
The worry in her eyes twisted something in my chest.
Cercies and I exchanged a restrained grin. The thought of the pretty boy being dangerous was almost comical. Even if his magic level was unknown, he always backed down from a real fight.
“Let us handle our brother,” Cercies said firmly. “He gets upset from time to time, but deep down he is loyal.”
I agreed. Aurelius was usually loyal. This was just another tantrum. He would get over it, and things would return to normal. They always did.
I turned to my General, remembering another matter. “Folliade arrives tomorrow with his two guards. Do we have the clearances and restrictions ready for his search party?”
“Yes. All sensitive documents have been sealed in an enchanted vault that only you, Aurelius, and I can access.”
I nodded and moved to the bar, pouring four glasses of my finest champagne into volcanic glass flutes. I handed them out.
“I cannot congratulate you publicly, brother, but I would like to toast to you and Calpurnia for finding each other—and to Calpurnia’s promotion.”
Then I looked at my mate, glowing brighter than the candles. “— and to the apples.”
She mouthed the words: I love you.
It hit me suddenly—this was what a functional home should feel like. Surrounded by people who loved you. Who wanted to see you succeed. Not a throne room. Not a war table.
Just her. And the way everything around her started to change.
My father and our culture had poisoned my mind, convincing me females were lesser because of their physical and magical limitations.
Yet here we stood. Our mates had not only reshaped us—they were reshaping the entire kingdom.
Perhaps a female’s power was never in brute strength, but in her capacity to love. Because love could make even the most powerful males kneel, burn, and become reckless, and the devotion they’d commit in its name was the deadliest power of all.
We finished our champagne, and the fated mates left for dinner service in the dining hall. Finally, we had a moment alone.
I couldn’t stop looking at her, my Pickles.
She fit so well into my life that sometimes I forgot she was mortal. It was as if she had been made for me.
I was not going to wait another minute to have her in my arms.
She was mine.
I placed my hand on the small of her back to let her know I was there. She arched slightly; I loved the way she reacted to even my smallest touch. She turned and wrapped her arms around me.
“I’m really proud of you today,” she said lovingly, and it fucking melted me.
I wanted to be better, to do better for her.
I held her close and brushed my thumb over those plump lips I could never resist touching.
“I would set the world ablaze for you,” I whispered, my voice thick with intensity and affection.
Desire surged through me. I kissed her hard, starved for her warmth. She answered with equal hunger, heat building between us—
Until a low, unmistakable growl interrupted.
I pulled back. “Pickles… was that your stomach?”
“Sorry… just ignore it,” she murmured, trying to kiss me again.
“Abso-fucking-lutely not. When was the last time you ate?” I demanded, holding back my flames.
She looked away and placed a hand on her stomach. “It’s been a busy day.”
Suddenly I remembered hunger in my life as Danny. That sharp, insistent hollowing from the inside out. I would not allow this.
She looked stronger than when she first arrived, but she was still underweight. And taking those elixirs I had asked Gleeda for meant she needed to increase how much she ate.
As much as I wanted her in my bed, I wanted her strong more.
“First I’m feeding you,” I said, pressing slow kisses to her neck. “Then you’re mine all night.”
She reluctantly agreed.
She turned right from the lounge, and I stopped her. “Where are you going?”
“To dinner service?” she asked.
“How does a quiet, private dinner in my quarters sound?” Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
“Heavenly,” she replied.
I took her hand, and together we turned toward my chambers. By the time we arrived, the fire sprites had already set up a candlelit dinner for two from my mind-link order.
We sat, and I poured her wine from the Kingdom of Seas—her favorite. She dug into the bread and roasted chicken, and I could see her shoulders relax as her hunger eased.
“So, what is the High Lord of Land looking for here?” she asked.
“Folliade? He’s searching for his mother—the stolen queen. It’s a long story, but it’s what ended our alliance with the Kingdom of Terrain.”
“He thinks she’s here? In the castle?”
“I don’t know what he thinks,” I admitted.
“He requested to search the Temple and offices in Embris, as well as the castle, for evidence that my father kidnapped her. The official story is that after a gathering of all the High Lords in Tercia, Folliade’s mother vanished from her chambers.
Many suspected my father because of his reputation.
He fled the kingdom around the same time she disappeared. ”
“In retaliation, Folliade’s father invaded our lands searching for her… and instead found my mother.”
“And murdered her.”
“I’m… sorry for your loss,” she said softly. She paused from eating and set her fork down; her eyes widened in horror and then sympathy. “I know what it’s like to grow up without parents.”
She looked down, rolling her lips as she considered her next words.
“Do you think he did it? Your father… Nerot?” I exhaled slowly.
“I’ve always denied it. But after today…” I hesitated. “I don’t know. I was a Faeling when it happened. And if an Earth Fae queen had been wandering these halls, I believe I would have known. I doubt Folliade will find anything.”
Her mind was working. I could see it.
“Are you worried about talking to the council about meeting the Kingdom of Seas’ demands to free the enslaved Fire Fae?”
I didn’t want to discuss politics right now. But she had learned too much today to let it rest.
“Freeing the slaves and redacting the Law of Flesh will be nearly impossible,” I said. “But I’ve taken a liking to Antonius. I believe he’ll hear me out without causing immediate chaos.”
She offered me a proud grin. “If anyone can do it, it’s you, Titus. You’re the most powerful male I’ve ever seen.”
“Well,” I said dryly, “you’ve only met about six Fae males.
But thank you. I’ll do my best.”
“Do you want to try something?” I asked. She hesitated. “Sure.”
“Hold your hand above the candle flame.” “Shield projection?”
“Yes. Smaller scale. Much safer.”
She hovered her hand above the flame.
“Why practice shield projection if we can stop the war without the God Dragon?” she asked.
Her pulse quickened—not desire. Fear. She was terrified of Mount Orid.
“Because I don’t know how this will unfold,” I said quietly. “But I know it will be dangerous. If I can master shield projection, I can protect you from anything that may come.”
She nodded and lowered her hand slowly. I focused.
A pearlescent shield formed around her palm. It held as she moved through the flame.
She gasped in delight— Then hissed in pain.
The shield flickered. She pulled back. “Let me see,” I said immediately.
A small burn reddened her palm. I healed it within seconds. But she wasn’t upset about the burn.
“What’s wrong?” I asked. “Does it still hurt?” She shook her head.
“Then what is it, Pickles?” She avoided my eyes.
I knew.
“Is this about what Saraswati said? About me needing to be willing to die for you for it to work?”
I leaned in closer.
“That’s bullshit. I do love you. I suspected it before the veil lifted. And now, with the memories of our past life, I know it. I asked you to be my mate because I wanted you. Not because of a mission.”
My flames pricked at my skin.
“You said you would set the world ablaze for me,” she said quietly. “But would you burn for me? Because I would for you.”
Fire had always obeyed me. It had never asked anything in return. But she was asking something different. Not for destruction. For devotion.
I froze.
For reasons I couldn’t explain, I couldn’t answer. The silence stretched.
Her delicate hands clenched into fists, and then relaxed as she exhaled slowly.
“It’s been a long day,” she said. “I’d like to return to my chambers. Thank you for the meal.”
She stood and tossed her napkin aside. I watched her leave.
The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
Being a mate was proving far more complicated than ruling a kingdom.
And I needed to find a way to prove my feelings for her. So that she would know without any doubt that I would burn for her.