Seven
CHAPTER
NEIL
Aerilyn was sound asleep when I awoke from my slumber. I watched her while she slept curled up at my side, my arm numb beneath her. Her legs tangled with mine, her head rested on my chest, and an arm was draped across me beneath the silk sheets. She was warm, as was I.
A small smile formed across my face. I loved watching her as she slept.
She always appeared to be at peace and far less cumbersome.
My hand went toward her freckled face, gently pushing her messy curls behind her ear with the utmost care.
Gods above, you are simply gorgeous. Even when she was sleeping.
I could only hope she would understand why I couldn’t stay.
I never expected this; never expected her.
She did not stir, even when I touched her. I looked out the window; the birds were singing sweetly, and the sun beamed into the open windows of her bedroom. Ivory curtains swayed as the gentle breeze filled the air.
My eyes narrowed. I would rather remain entangled beneath the sheets with her, but I had to leave.
The duties of a High Lord were never-ending and sacrifices regularly had to be made despite my lack of desire to do so.
I frowned, pulling her closer to me. I knew it was selfish to want to stay here like this, with her.
The taste of her lingered on my lips, my thoughts replaying the day before and how delicious she was.
I watched the soft rise and fall of her chest with each breath she took.
Just a few more moments.
She seemed so content in the warmth of my embrace. Carefully, I pulled the sheets over her, just enough to cover her bare shoulder, ensuring her warmth would remain even as mine did not.
KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.
I glared toward the door as Acheron slowly stepped inside. He furrowed his brow, seeming surprised to find me in her bed and not my own. Quietly, Acheron approached us.
“My Lord, you must get ready,” he whispered. I rolled my eyes. All good things must come to an end, it seemed. Far too quickly at that. I waved him off, shooing him out of Aerilyn’s room, then carefully maneuvered myself from beneath her as gently as I could without disturbing her.
Standing beside her bed, I pulled the sheets the rest of the way over her. I leaned down to whisper in her ear. “Sweet dreams, my Little Dove.” I kissed her cheek, my lips lingering. I forced myself to retreat from her bedside, closing the door behind me once I left her room.
“Not a single word out of you,” I huffed.
“Didn’t say anything, my Lord.” Acheron smiled, lifting his hands in surrender. He dropped his arms back to his sides, and I rolled my eyes and walked away. Entering my own bedroom, I prepared for the day. Twenty or so minutes later, I found Acheron in the drawing room.
“I will be back in a few days. In the meantime, you are to keep an eye on her, understand?” Don’t even think of questioning me as to why you cannot come with me.
He rolled his eyes, his feet on my brand-new table. I swatted at his feet, and he planted them back onto the floor in a huff.
“Understood.”
Our eyes met. “I mean it. If a single hair on her head is out of place, I promise you—”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. She’s fine. Everything’s fine. Stop worrying so much. Now go before they get suspicious that you’re late, then you’ll actually have a reason to be worried,” Acheron said rather monotonely.
“Ha, ha, ha. Very funny.” I reached for my pouch of stardust from within my ivory cloak, dropping a handful. POOF. I was gone.
One moment, I stood in the comfort of my Manor, and the next I was at the Mountain where all the High Lords were summoned to meet.
I adjusted the collar of my white ruffle shirt while rounding the corner, mentally preparing myself for him and today’s melodrama.
These meetings were always so counterproductive.
I made my way briskly down the hall, my head held high, raising my hand to push the door open to the meeting room only to be stopped. My eyes met Casimir. His eyes were fiery red, ears pointed, and his attire that of ethereal reds and deep black with intricate embroidery much like my own.
With our eyes locked, I spoke. “Morning, Casimir.”
“Neil,” he replied.
I retracted my hand and rested it at my side, remaining a foot or so away from the door.
“Is it bold of me to assume that you have things under control?” Casimir questioned, just barely above a whisper.
I clenched my jaw. “Of course I have things under control,” I replied confidently.
“She is a distraction.” Casimir huffed, his chest puffing out as his hand grabbed my shoulder, gripping it tightly with his fingers.
“She isn’t.” I thought of her still sound asleep in her bed, and I couldn’t help the small smile that appeared on my face. “She is truly a gift from the Gods. You will see. Trust me.”
His eyes narrowed. “And you are certain Samael’s allegiance is with us?”
“It is.”
Casimir was about to reply when Calix came barreling between us. Bright and bushy-tailed as ever. “GOOD MORNING! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY FOR A REUNION!” he chirped, throwing out his hand. He used his magic to make cherry blossoms float from the sky and land at our feet.
“Gods above.” I swatted the flowers away from me. Absolutely disgusting.
“Is he always like this?” Casimir asked, also swatting said flowers.
“Unfortunately.” I gestured for him to enter the meeting room.
This is going to be a long meeting. I can already tell.
The four of us in the same room together was always a recipe for disaster.
I sat in complete and utter silence, my hands interlaced on my lap, sitting directly across from Zathrian. Calix and Casimir sat on either side of me, all of us sitting together at the oval stone table.
Zathrian was glaring at me, as expected. I was unbothered, my expression as neutral as ever. I raised a brow as Calix finally broke the silence. “Well, we might as well address the elephant in the room.”
“It does seem as if Zathrian has gained some weight.” I snickered.
Zathrian rolled his eyes. “My weight is none of your concern, and for your information, I have gained muscle. Thank you for noticing.”
“You know, I’ve gained some muscle myself. Take a look.” Calix butted in by puffing out his chest, his low V-neck shirt exposing his muscly chest and the top of his abs. How is someone so lean and so muscular at the same time?
Casimir pinched the bridge of his nose, undoubtedly annoyed.
I chuckled.
“Can we please focus?” Casimir sighed. The rest of us silently nodded in agreement. “Thank you. First order of business,” he paused, presumably for dramatic effect, “the Mortal Realm is in a state of vulnerability thanks to someone.”
All eyes drifted to Zathrian, who crossed his arms.
Despite the three months I had Aerilyn in my care, it was only a month ago that I learned about her ties to Zathrian.
That the Cruel Prince, the real one whom Zathrian took the place of, purchased ownership of her.
And that for the entire time Zathrian was there, she was there with him.
The thought alone made my stomach churn.
I had yet to figure out how she ended up in my Realm to begin with.
I swallowed hard, listening to Casimir as he spoke.
“The King is decrepit. His days are numbered, and now the Mortals are convinced that both their Prince and Princess are dead, leaving the Kingdom of Lelarin without an heir. And as if that was not enough, that girl has only worsened our problems by tenfold. Her father gathered a search party, which has quickly unraveled into a potential revolution. His followers wish to bring down the Wall.”
I tilted my head, looking at the others to see their reactions to this new information. Eyes narrowed upon the news that even the Princess was dead. Interesting.
Calix nearly choked. “Bring down the Wall? Pshh! That is preposterous. No mere Mortal could do such a thing.”
Zathrian remained dead silent, as did I. His jaw clenched, whereas I was completely unphased.
“Well, apparently they think otherwise,” Casimir said.
“You don’t think they could, do you?” Calix asked.
“And what is it you suggest we do about it, then?” My gaze met Casimir’s.
“My resolution is simple.” He snaked his fingers together and rested his chin upon his knuckles.
“Make Samael heir to the throne, and the problems will sort themselves out.” He declared.
“As for the father,” his gaze met mine, “I do believe you should have her write to him. Tell him what he wants to hear and give him more riches and jewels he could ever know what to do with, and if that doesn’t work, simply get rid of him altogether. ”
Zathrian butted in. “Simply get rid of him?” He huffed. “We are not going to kill an innocent man for mourning the loss of his daughter. She was never meant to be part of this. Whatever this is.”
I rolled my eyes. “If he wasn’t attempting to take down the Wall, then it would be a different story.
The safety of our Realms and our people is far more important.
If the loss of one measly Mortal life saves the lives of thousands, if not millions, of ours, then it is a sacrifice that needs to be made.
Besides, he is the one who sold her to the Cruel Prince.
I have no empathy for scum such as him.”
Calix seemed unbothered by my words. As did Casimir. Zathrian seemed to be the only one with an issue.
“And who is the cruel one? You are the one who chose to keep her when you could have let her go,” I added.
Zathrian said nothing, for there was nothing to say.
I cleared my throat. “As for Aerilyn’s father, I will ensure he is dealt with,” my gaze met Zathrian for the sole purpose of getting under his skin, “accordingly.”
Zathrian’s face turned a deep shade of crimson. He wore his emotions on his sleeve, making it evident he was trying his best to choke back his emotions and not explode.
What are you thinking? I can almost see the fire in those eyes of yours. Do you truly hate me that much, even after all these years?
I cleared my throat and continued, regardless of the words he muttered under his breath. “I do believe that Samael would be the easiest solution when it comes to taking the Lelarin throne, given he is the head of the Royal Guard, after all.”
Zathrian protested. “If he finds out the truth, he will grow hungry for power and use what knowledge he has about Wisteria against us.”
“What human does not grow hungry for power?” Casimir questioned.
“And who are we to pretend we are Gods when we are not?” Zathrian became increasingly frustrated. By the glint in his eye, it seemed the conversation was not going the way he had planned.
Casimir took the words right out of my mouth. “We are the closest thing to the Gods; we are the High Lords.”
“Actions have consequences,” Zathrian retorted.
Casimir and I shared a knowing look.
“All in favor of Samael taking the Lelarin throne, say aye,” Casimir said.
“Aye,” I said.
“Aye.” Casimir second.
“Aye.” Calix came third, with some hesitation.
Zathrian remained silent, but it did not matter. He was outvoted, three to one.
“So, it’s decided, then,” Casimir said, rather pleased with the outcome. I was as well. Zathrian on the other hand, not so much.
Casimir picked up a nearby quill, dabbing it into the ink. He created the legal documentation on our collaborative decision. A brief silence loomed around us.
“So, uh, is the Celestial Festival still on, or…?” Calix asked.
“Of course it is,” Zathrian replied, as the festival took place in his domain. His arms were crossed, and his left leg bounced up and down.
Silence.
Silence that felt as if it lasted forever.
Silence that could have become peaceful if it wasn’t for Zathrian ruining that by opening his fat mouth.
Gods above, does it ever end?
“You know, Neil, you are breaching our agreement,” he said.
I tilted my head. “And which agreement are you speaking of, Zathrian?”
“You know exactly which agreement I am speaking of,” he growled.
“Enlighten me.” Gods, I love getting a rise out of him.
Zathrian pulled out a piece of parchment, slapping it onto the stone table. He pushed it toward me, but I stopped it from sliding off the table with my palm, peering down at it.
“I told you that she is mine,” he hissed. “You keeping her locked away in your Manor like some caged bird is breaching our agreement. She is not yours to have.”
I raised a brow, my eyes reading each and every word on that parchment in an attempt to find a loophole. Legally, he wasn’t wrong, but I would not admit it. Bastard.
“And you referring to her as your property is any better?” A smirk danced across my lips. I didn’t just see the budding rage within him, I could feel it. I was almost tickled by it.
“She’s mine,” he reiterated.
“It is not your name she was moaning when my head was between her thighs last night,” I replied.
Zathrian went deathly pale. Calix spit out the strawberry wine in his mouth, the liquid misting around us.
Casimir remained stoic, wide-eyed, and I smiled, feeling rather smug.
I was pleased with myself and the reaction I created from a single sentence.
There were no words to describe the look on Zathrian’s face when I said what I did, and I didn’t regret it, either. It was the truth.
Ah, what a curious reaction. I didn’t think it was possible that Zathrian could grow attached to anyone after all these years. I spent all this time searching for his weakness, and apparently, his weakness had been living in my Manor for months now.
Zathrian abruptly stood, and without another word, stormed away.
“That’s right, walk away like you always do!
” I called out, watching him leave and slam the door behind him.
There was so much left to be done, yet instead of facing things head-on, he walked away, his go-to reaction for as long as I could remember.
Same old Zathrian, endlessly angry with the world but not having half the balls to do anything about it. Typical.
“Well, that was unexpectedly eventful,” Calix quipped, and with that, the meeting came to a close.