Chapter 35 Quentin
The celebrations had been something I could never have imagined. Decadent food and dresses. Music playing long into the night. The pure love and lightness that spread throughout Elysia.
That had been two weeks ago and was a distant memory.
Work had begun almost immediately the morning after.
The heavens had been swept for oleander before any remaining sprigs were destroyed.
After some discussion, Hunter’s home had been demolished, although we were yet to agree what should be put in its place.
Mabel and Tobias had been questioned thoroughly, and an agreement was in place that, while they would not be punished, they would be monitored closely and any transgressions would land them in the cells.
Today’s council session was one that had filled me with dread, but I should have known there was only so long it could be avoided.
“The last matter at hand today is what to do about the research trial on Earth,” I said.
Archer cocked his head to the side. “You mean whether we should continue?”
“Exactly.”
Most of the things we’d tackled so far were straightforward, but this was less so.
“Is there any need for it to continue?” Valen asked. “It was Hunter’s idea. It should die with him.”
Tact was still something the council struggled with. And I doubted it would ever get better, but at least they weren’t hiding what they thought, so far.
“The whole point of the idea was to help us reconnect with mortals,” Malachi pointed out. “We wanted to show them we could live amongst them. Prove that they should continue to have faith in us.”
Bexley pressed her lips together before she spoke.
The words were gentle, as if she knew they would be a blow.
“Is there a need when one of their own is also one of ours? Quentin showed who she was and if that was not enough proof for them, will anything ever be? I don’t know about all of you, but I am answering a lot more prayers these days. ”
I let them discuss the notion, deciding it was best for me to stay silent. I was too biased. There was no downside to continuing the experiment in my eyes because it meant that I got to be home and drag out the inevitable.
“What do you think, Quentin?” My head snapped towards Archer, who looked vaguely amused. “That it should come down to a vote on whether or not to continue?”
He saved me the embarrassment of having to ask them to repeat themselves.
A vote. It would be easy enough to object.
To tell them we would continue with it regardless of their thoughts.
To wield the bit of power that I had and move things in my favour.
The temptation was great, but I swallowed it down, reminding myself that was not the type of leader I wanted to be.
Not even when it came to smaller matters like this.
“I think that would be the best way to get clarity on the situation. All those in favour of terminating the project, say aye.”
There was a chorus around me that sunk my heart.
“And those against, say nay,” I finished.
Three. Only three of us that were against the idea of stopping the project. We were outnumbered by a mile.
Taking in a deep breath, I steadied my emotions and spoke. “It looks like it’s been decided. I’ll speak to Gareth and tell him about our decision. Thank you for your time today.”
The council rose from their seats and I followed suit, leaving them to mill as I headed towards the doors.
“Quentin.” Archer’s voice followed me. “Quentin.” He drew close enough to put a hand on my shoulder.
I stopped and pasted on a smile. “Is everything okay?”
“Are you?”
“Never better, Archer. If you don’t mind, I’d like to head home.”
There was that word again. Home. These days, it had so many meanings that my heart was confused about where to settle.
Archer removed his hand from my shoulder and let it drop by his side. “Don’t let me stop you.”
I stepped out onto the streets of Elysia and walked so quickly that it may as well have been a run. When I reached the dark building that partially belonged to me, I rushed up the path and through the door. Closing it behind me, I leaned against it and closed my eyes.
“Quen?” This time it was Gray’s voice. “How did things go today?”
I opened my eyes slowly and let them adjust to the dim lighting in our hallway.
“Not to plan,” I answered honestly. “The E.L.I. project is officially done. We’ve voted against continuing it.”
A little crease formed between his eyebrows. “Are you okay with this?”
I hadn’t wanted to discuss it with Archer, but Gray was my comfort. With Gray, it was safe.
“It doesn’t really matter if I am or not,” I told him. “It’s the decision that’s been made.”
“Come here.”
It was a gentle command that had me pushing away from the door and into his arms. As I buried my face in his chest, Gray kissed the top of my head.
“You’ll still get to visit,” he whispered.
“I know,” I muttered into his shirt. “But it won’t be very often, will it? It won’t be the same.”
There was silence and I knew Gray wouldn’t feed me lies.
“You knew there would be changes,” he said eventually. His hand ran up and down my back. “Even without leading the council, you knew there would be a time when you’d be here instead of on Earth.”
“I thought I had more time.”
“I’m sorry, Scott.”
I couldn’t be sure how long we stood in the hallways, me clinging to Gray like the lifeline he was. Eventually, I peeled myself away from him and ran my hands down my face.
“Will you come with me when I break the news to Gareth?” I asked him. “I’ll stop in on Cass as well and let him know.”
“Of course,” Gray said, lips twitching into a smirk. “How else are you going to get down there?”
He ran down the hallway before I could swat him.
“You are the worst!” I called after him with a laugh, but it didn’t hold the same joy it usually did.
This was now my forever.