12. THE UNWELCOME PARTY #3
My lips spread wide in a grin. “Is my mate also a thief?”
Her eyes met mine, and her proud smirk sent a pulse of need through my core, straight to my cock.
“I took it from him just as I exited the wards.” She huffed a laugh to herself. “He was furious.”
“I bet he was,” I agreed. “May I?”
She placed the stone in my palm, and I turned it over to examine it. “Without this, he’ll have lost his access to Old Magic—aside from what he knows off-hand.”
Remic leaned forward to get a closer look.
“And without Fallon’s power to pull from, he lost the additional boost,” Auren added. “That means he’ll most likely run to Lyceius for aid now.”
Silas adjusted his wings around the chair. Judging by the look on his face, he was trying to piece together what it was we were talking about. I was rather stunned that he didn’t pry or ask for an explanation.
“Or he’ll lick his wounds in silence and try again,” Remic said, lifting his eyes from the stone to Auren. “Did you see the way he looked at you? He might be working with Lyceius, but he has his own agenda, and I guarantee he was planning to use you as a bargaining chip.”
I had to agree with him on that. The interrogations I went through were not for me. They were to try to get information about her.
Across from us, Silas shifted uncomfortably again, probably at the thought of someone wanting to harm Auren. On that front, I sympathized with the male. But only for a moment.
“You said you had concerns of your own?” I asked Silas, bringing him back into the conversation.
“Yes. Concerning you,” he replied, nodding toward Remic. He tilted his head as he regarded my brother, who remained perfectly poised behind us. “Which of this group is your Dionam?”
Remic didn’t hesitate to respond. “That is none of your concern.”
“I’m simply trying to get a feel for what I’m walking into here.”
Silence stretched between them for a long moment.
“I serve and protect the High Lord, his mate, and his brothers,” Remic replied sternly.
Silas looked back at me in question. “Brothers?”
“Not by blood,” I said. “You have a lot to learn, Silas, if you’re going to be sticking around.
Our group is a bit . . . untraditional. But before I can fully trust you around Auren, or in my court for that matter, you’ll be taking us on a trip to Neveshir, and I’ll be speaking with your wardeness. ”
He worked his jaw, considering, before agreeing. “Fair enough. With what she means to the realms, I understand the need for such concern.”
I casually crossed an ankle over my knee. “I assume you know just how important Auren is?”
The Dionach’s face shifted to reflect his pride. “I do.” He threw Auren a small grin, and I did everything I could to remind myself that he wasn’t doing it to get a rise out of me.
“She’s also my mate,” I reminded him, “so you will respect the necessary boundaries.”
He inclined his head in response. “Of course.”
“Silas,” Auren chimed, “how is it you know who I truly am, when the last time I saw you was during our dance at the champion’s dinner?”
“Ah, yes. That.” He rubbed at the back of his neck. “I’m sure you remember, I was a little perplexed when I saw you arrive with Weston that evening.”
“Yes. The two of you acted strangely around each other all night. And neither of you would give me any answers as to why. I remember that very well.”
He chuckled. “I was still piecing things together for myself. And seeing another Dionach there with you . . .” His voice trailed off as he glanced up at Remic.
Auren tilted her head. “Did you just say ‘another Dionach’?”
Silas nodded. “Weston is a Dionach as well.”
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
“He wasn’t there for you though—as I’d originally thought.
He’s Queen Corinne’s Dionach. She assigned him to be your personal guard when she found out you were attending the tournament.
When I saw him with you, it threw me off.
At the time, I didn’t know what Queen Corinne was, so I thought Weston was there by mistake.
Turns out he’s been serving her since her coronation, at which point he was given his summons.
He’s been by her side ever since—glamoured, of course. ”
“No . . .” Auren shook her head. “Weston is part of the Queen’s Guard. He’s a guard, not her Dionach.”
Silas didn’t correct her, but I could tell he wanted to. Instead, he waited in silence. Waited for Auren to pick apart every little thing he said.
Sure enough . . .
“Wait,” she said, concern lining her features. “What do you mean you didn’t know what Queen Corinne was? She’s human.”
Silas lifted a brow.
Oh shit.
“She’s human . . . right, Silas?” Auren repeated.
I was genuinely intrigued now. Whatever Silas knew was something my spies didn’t. I’d have to figure out how they had missed that bit of info later.
“What I am about to tell the three of you is not to leave this room. It’s paramount to your safety, Auren.”
She nodded, and I followed suit, slipping a shield around our small gathering so no one else could hear what was spoken.
“The queen of Belthria is no human,” Silas said. “She’s a witch.”