Forty-Seven
We followed Oren through the dizzying halls to the Throne Room, Azazeal trailing behind.
I tried to quiet my nerves, wondering why Damien needed to see the two of us privately. Had Asmo spoken to him already?
"What is that squeaking?" Julian sounded annoyed, looking around the large hall we walked in. "It's following us everywhere."
"Oh," I cleared my throat. "I'm wearing sneakers."
Julian looked confused. "What?"
As we turned the corner, I recognized the large double doors of the Throne Room and the two guards standing next to them.
I paused and lifted my skirts to my ankle to show Julian my shoes. "They're converse."
Julian's face went from confusion to amusement. "Sneakers." His smile grew and before I knew it, he was in full laughing fit in front of me.
I crossed my arms as I watched him. "What's so funny?"
He barely caught his breath before laughing wholeheartedly again.
I rolled my eyes and followed Oren to the doors.
"No, wait," Julian gasped. "Emylin, hold on."
I turned but he laughed again, even louder.
"You surprise me," he gasped again. "Every single time. Sneakers! Sneakers!"
I took a deep breath through my nose and Oren eyed me, waiting for my go ahead to give the guards the command to open the door. I didn't turn back. "Are you done, Julian?"
"No."
I looked at Oren and nodded. "He's done. Open the doors, please."
He placed a hand on my shoulder and laughed as I turned to him. "You're amazing."
"And you're incredibly condescending."
The doors opened and I went down the aisle towards Damien where he waited by the thrones. The doors shut behind Julian leaving the rest of the group outside.
Damien had his hands behind his back as he stood next to the tallest throne, his hair hanging over his impossible colored eyes. He smiled as I approached and I smiled back.
Maybe Asmo hadn't spoken to him then...
The doors closed behind us echoing in the large chamber. It almost drowned out the humming I was hearing throughout the room. It was celestial, calming.
Damien caught me staring at the large throne as it sang to me.
He extended a hand. "Come on, it gets quieter once you touch the stone."
I met him at the top of the platform with the thrones as Julian stayed behind.
When he took my hand, he placed it on the large chair.
The cold stone was instantly soothing. His hand didn't move from over mine and I realized he took the right hand, the one with the ring.
Damien was right, it instantly quieted as soon as I touched it.
"Amazing," I murmured. I looked at him.
He was smiling. His eyes looked up at the aisle again. "Lord Julian, thank you for coming."
Julian, despite being one of the ones to sign the document that made me queen bowed deeply. "Alteazor."
I looked at a small table that had never been in the room before. The top of it had a beige document over it with ornate writing and a large seal over the top.
Damien went down the steps of the platform where we stood and met Julian in the aisle. "First, I want to express my deepest condolences on the passing of your parents."
Julian didn't flinch. "Thank you."
"I cannot tell you how sorry I am about their loss. If there is anything I can do for you, please let me know. I will personally take care of it."
He was being so vague. We hadn't spoken of Julian's parents or Robyn's involvement in their deaths. Did he know what happened? Or had he learned of their deaths a different way?
I swallowed as I watched Julian's perfect form. I could see the flawless soldier stance as Damien spoke to him. Julian didn't bat an eye even as Damien extended a hand and Julian shook it firmly.
"I appreciate your concern."
Damien nodded then turned back to look at me. "I want to thank you for helping her-helping us. I owe you more than just my gratitude."
Julian's eyes shifted towards me and I felt myself grip the stone throne tighter. "It was a pleasure to help the Lady of Elendil coming into her own as a Light Fae."
"You've done more than just that. You helped her, healed her- she is not the same as when she left here.
" He looked at me. "She's making jokes. I was afraid that after what my uncle did to her I wouldn't see her laugh again.
" He looked back at Julian. "I hope that what I give you will be more than enough to thank you for what you've done for her.
" He patted Julian's shoulder playfully. "Now relax, you're among friends now."
Julian looked at Damien, confused.
Damien looked at me with a smile. "I think he's taking me too seriously."
I smiled. "Maybe you should do your orc voice like when we play Dungeons and Dragons?"
Damien laughed and spectered next to me. "No. Not quite."
I looked at Julian. "Maybe turn his hair blue?" I smiled at the memory. "He will love that."
I watched Julian grin. He remembered too.
Damien cleared his throat. "I want to uphold my end of the bargain as you did yours. You gave me the information I needed to rescue Emylin, you led my Guard during the fight and fought Azazeal with them."
I watched Julian. He was there? He was there that night?
Damien shook his head. "You rescued her, trained her and helped in the fight to destroy my uncle once and for all.
You more than earned my respect. The crown is in your debt.
" Damien smiled. "I am more than happy to give you what you want Julian.
" He gestured to the paper. "As soon as our queen signs the document it will become official- you will no longer be the lord of Skryen, you will no longer have the title, the lands, riches everything that comes with it.
They will be given to your appointed advisor Bron as you requested.
" Damien smiled. "You will be free to live in Tartus just like you wanted with a very generous compensation for everything you've done. "
I watched Julian flabbergasted. He didn't want to be Lord? He didn't want to live in Skryen? He wanted to live in Tartus? Would it be with Vy?
Julian said nothing. He did nothing except look at the document between us.
I thought back to one of our first conversations right after Julian fished me out of the river.
I'd asked him if he was a lord and he'd turned towards me, spoken to me like I'd just insulted him.
He avoided Saddaim. He only went because Naida insisted, practically begged him and reminded him of his duty.
He hated being a Lord.
But Skryen... he would leave the lush mountains and deep rivers for the wasteland that was Tartus?
I swallowed and approached the table. A pen sat above it near my hand as I placed my fingers on the table. I Iooked at Julian, frowning. "Is that what you want, Julian?"
He looked at me. His grey eyes met mine.
He wanted to be with Vy despite the years apart, despite being a Lord. Had they spoken about it? Had she asked him to make this deal or one similar so they could be together? Was it all his idea?
After a moment, a smile quirked his lips subtly. "You would sign it?"
"If this is what you want," I said firmly. "I will sign it."
Julian inhaled then shook his head. "No." He looked at Damien. "Thank you but I decline."
I watched Damien frown. "What changed?"
He looked at me. "The stakes. Everything is at stake now." He turned to Damien. "How goes the investigation into who wants Emylin?"
I shook my head, looking away. "That's not your problem, Julian."
"Like hell, it's not," he growled.
I watched Damien change his position slightly. Where he had been welcoming and friendly, he was now cautious, deliberately watching Julian.
He shook his head. "We need to find out who this threat is and when we do you may need an army.
Skryen has an army. All trained by me. We've taken down threats before and we will do it again-whoever it may be.
Especially if it means defending the last of the Light Fae.
My men will jump at the opportunity at redemption for their past sins.
" He shook his head. "No. I will not give up my title.
Not if it means it can help when the time comes.
" He looked at Damien. "With respect, I decline.
I will be of better use to you and our queen with my title.
" He bowed his head. "I am at your disposal with the investigation.
I will train myself and my army for what may come. "
I watched Damien straighten as if a sudden weight had been lifted off his shoulders. "Good. Asmodeus has been questioning the Magister. He believes he's about to get an answer."
I turned to Damien in disbelief. "What?"
He shook his head. "You asked me to let it go until the party but I couldn't. I couldn't do it." He looked at me. "Not when it's about you, Em." He looked at Julian again. "The Magister was the closest ally Robyn had. We believe he discussed plans with him."
Julian nodded. "What makes you think he's telling the truth?"
Damien smiled. "Asmo is known for extracting the truth out of prisoners. We will have more information soon."
I could only watch as Damien approached Julian. "We will meet tomorrow morning and discuss plans."
Julian nodded. "I'll go talk to Asmo now to see what he knows."
Damien nodded. "I will see you tomorrow then."
Julian left with barely a glance towards me. Damien walked towards the table and ripped up the paper in front of me with his hands. They disappeared as he let them go, turning to ash that didn't even reach the floor or table.
I shook my head. "You lied to me." My voice was barely above a whisper.
Damien didn't look at me. "I had to. I told you I wouldn't let anyone hurt you."
I frowned. "You've been investigating this too, haven't you?"
He nodded. "While you were with Perri preparing the party, I would meet with Asmo. We would discuss with Oren what he would find."
I scoffed. "All I wanted for you was to have some time off. To have your mind somewhere else to not think about that monster-"
He looked at me. "I won't justify my actions to you, Em. I did what I did to protect you, to find what will happen soon."
Anger boiled inside me making my hands shake at my side.
He kept secrets from me again. More secrets.
What should I have expected? Damien always kept secrets from me.
Why would this time be any different? Why was it when I tried to protect him, to watch out for him, to save him- he'd turn around and disregard everything I would do completely?
I grabbed the tiara off my head and shoved it towards his chest so hard it pinched my palm. I didn't even wait for him to grab it before I made my way down the aisle of the throne room.
I could hear him calling after me, "Where are you going?"
I didn't even turn. "Home! To the Human world, to my parents' house! At least when they make a promise they keep it and not lie to my face about it!"
"Gods," I heard him mumble something afterward then the clatter of metal. "Come back here, Em!"
"No!"
As soon as I exited the throne room, I spectered to my own room. Opening my closet, I grabbed the bag Julian gifted me and packed everything I could. I grabbed everything from the bathroom and stuffed it inside then made my way to my drawers, grabbing fistfuls of everything I could.
As soon as I changed and was dressed back into comfortable jeans and a T-shirt, I heard a gentle knock on the door.
I didn't even have to open the door to know who it was. "Go away, Damien."
"Em, please open the door."
I ignored him as I continued to pack. I grabbed my new cell phone off the desk and began texting my mom to expect me.
"I know you have your secrets too, Em." His voice was muffled. "I saw how you and Julian looked at each other at the party."
My thumbs froze over the screen as I typed.
I heard him curse to himself quietly then sigh.
"I'm sorry. Look, it doesn't matter what you did while I was gone.
It doesn't matter to me. Everyone thought I was dead, I wouldn't blame you if you went out with another man or developed feelings for someone else.
I understand why you would- we weren't anything to each other then.
" He sighed. "Come on, Em. Please open the door. "
I marched across the room and opened the door widely before I lost my nerve.
My eyes met his violet ones. "I always knew you were alive.
I knew it, deep down." I took a gulping breath.
"I'm attracted to him but not romantically.
It's magic and I can't help it." I shook my head. "I don't- I don't even understand it."
Slowly, he nodded. To his credit, at least he was still standing in front of me. He hadn't left. "Are you sure?"
I bit my lip. "Pretty sure." I sighed. "I told him I want you. I want to be with you. It's always been you."
A smile crept on his face. "You want me."
I found myself smiling despite my anger. "Even now when you're being annoying. And sneaky."
He stepped closer, wrapping an arm around me pulling me in an embrace. "You still want to be with me."
I buried my face in the crook of his arm. "I'm still mad at you." I sighed. "I just wanted you to not think about what happened. Even for a little while." I shook my head. "I should have known better."
He kissed the top of my head. "I just want to protect you. Really, that's all it is. I'm sorry I lied, I didn't see any other way."
Defeated, I sighed. "Then talk to me. I want to know everything, I want to help you." I looked up at him as he held me. "I want to know what you know."
I watched him swallow. "You really want to know?"
I nodded, placing my hands on his cheeks. "Please no more lies, no more half-truths."
He gave a small smile. "All right." He cleared his throat and spoke jovially. "But first, I have something for you. A present." He let me go and took my hand with a boyish smile. "Come on."
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