41. Chapter Forty One Rhowyn
Chapter Forty One: Rhowyn
I waited just outside of my shield, wondering which Ravens would be revealing themselves. Crossing my arms over my chest and cocking out a hip, I spoke, “Chieftain Revna, what brings you out here to my neck of the woods?” My words were directed to the heaviest concentration of power, though I still couldn’t see her.
She laughed and released her hold on the shadows, her people doing the same to reveal about seventy Ravens in total. I hid my shock at seeing so many of the Ravens outside of their Enclave. “I heard that you would be going into battle soon. That you might need some assistance?”
Side-eyeing her, I couldn’t help but look for some trick in her offer. What was she hoping to gain from helping me? When we had been there, she’d been hesitant to leave the Enclave though we had parted on good terms. The last thing I had expected was to find her here. “While I’m not one to look a gift horse in the mouth,” I started, ignoring her slightly confused look, “I can’t help but wonder why you changed your mind. Last we spoke, it was my understanding that you hadn’t wanted to get involved.”
She winced at that before answering. “May we speak privately?” She gestured to my allowance of her crossing the shield. I looked to Brannoc to get his thoughts on the matter. He nodded. I trusted her, but we couldn’t be certain what the other Ravens were thinking. Looking them over as I weighed my choices, I caught sight of Ramund, who smiled at me mischievously. Somehow, I had a feeling he played a large role in their appearance today.
I nodded. “You and Ramund may join me. We can speak inside the Keep. The other Ravens must wait here until we’ve had a chance to discuss this in further detail,” I said. I couldn’t risk letting them all in, even if my gut was telling me that their motives were altruistic in their appearance here. There were too many refugees and people counting on me right now, and I needed to be certain before I fully let down my guard.
“Of course. I would expect nothing less.” Revna nodded her head in acquiescence. She turned to her people and instructed them to wait outside the shield for now.
I turned to Aurelia. “Have the guards keep an eye on them. I don’t think they mean us harm, but we can’t be too cautious,” I told her. She nodded and raced off to do as I had instructed. Looking around, I saw all the people who had recently joined us standing outside of their tents, mid-task, staring at the Ravens with varying expressions of curiosity and fear. Mothers hustled their children into the tents while the kids did their best to catch a peek at the mysterious warriors who didn’t know they were being watched.
Revna and Ramund finally rejoined us, and I led them through the shield and the gates. The guards eyed the Ravens warily, the same look I had received from the Ravens upon my arrival to their Enclave, but held the gates open without question. Everyone we passed paused what they were doing to gawk at our new arrivals, their appearance exotic even among the diverse fae. Their tattoos glowed a soft blue, which was on display, and their clothing was hiding very little. The fae were more open than the humans on Earth, but even this fashion was a little much for them.
Ramund and Revna walked with their heads held high, shoulders back, and unconcerned by the stares they were drawing, their confidence in their power and abilities were clear to everyone who caught sight of them. We climbed the steps to the Keep, and more guards held open the doors to let us pass. Pausing, I turned to Brannoc, speaking to him in my mind. “ Can you find the others? They’ll want to be a part of this.”
He dipped his head. “ Of course. We’ll join you shortly,” he said before rushing off to do as I asked. When I turned back to Revna, it was to find her smiling.
“I can’t tell you how refreshing it is to see another True Mate pair. I had begun to fear that Ramund and I were the last. Just when we had started to despair, Avalonia answered our prayers,” she said as we continued toward the throne room.
“It’s been a blessing to have Brannoc by my side. He’s been invaluable to me and has shown the fae that they have nothing to fear from him, a credit to his race,” I told her, a slight sting to my words indicating that I hadn’t forgotten how he’d been snubbed all these years. He’d pretend that it didn’t bother him not to have the same coloring, his tattoos black instead of the blue they all sported, or to know his history, but I knew the truth. What person didn’t have a child inside them that constantly yearned for acceptance? If I could make that happen for him, I would.
“An unfortunate oversight.” Revna sighed sadly, her words quite the understatement. She paused just before the throne room doors, a hand going to my forearm and halting my progress. “Once this is all over, I promise he will be granted full rights to the Enclave. He’ll be allowed to undergo the ceremonies he was denied all these years and the opportunity to learn from us,” she vowed.
I eyed her, looking for any sign of dishonesty or half-truths, but I found none. “I’ll hold you to that, but in the end, it will be his decision whether or not he partakes or chooses to be a part of the Enclave.”
“I’d expect nothing less,” she said, withdrawing her hand, that part of our conversation over with.
We entered the throne room then, and I glanced around to spot a few lingering fae. Looking at them, I said, “Leave us.”
They eyed me, uncertain, one guard speaking up. “Your Majesty, it’s our duty to ensure your safety.”
I interrupted him. “I assure you, I’m safe with these two. Please, we must discuss some sensitive matters.” The guard nodded, though it was clear he wasn’t happy with leaving me alone with the two Ravens. I stopped him before he exited. “No one is allowed to enter unless it’s my consorts or a dire emergency.” He nodded before closing the doors behind him and granting us the privacy I had requested.
“You honor us by this trust,” Revna spoke, her expression pleased by my actions.
“I like to think that we’d come to an understanding during my time among your people. You showed me the same honor and courtesy. It’s only fair that I return it,” I told her honestly. She dipped her head to acknowledge my assessment of the matter. “That said, I was surprised to find you here. While you and Ramund have earned my trust, I can’t say that there weren’t some on the council who were not in favor of becoming involved. So how is it that you show up on my doorstep with a contingent of highly trained warriors?”
Before she could answer, my consorts all entered, bringing chairs for us all to sit in from the tables on the side of the room. It felt wrong to take my throne at this moment. I didn’t want to lord my position or power over these two, not when they had come offering help. They were both powerful leaders of their people and deserved equal footing as we discussed the matters before us.
“Gentleman, it’s a pleasure to see you again,” Revna said, dipping into a slight bow to us.
“You as well, Chieftain Revna,” Arryn spoke for my men, returning the bow as a courtesy.
“Please, let’s sit. I’m sure that what we have to discuss will take some time.” I offered them the seats, taking my own.
Revna’s eyes darted to my throne before taking the offered chair. She’d figured out what I was doing. I knew there was a reason I liked her. “Thank you,” she said.
“So, let’s get down to business. Why have the Ravens come now? And does this offer of assistance come with strings?” I asked, pulling no punches with my questions. I didn’t have time to dally here if they weren’t willing to help us. Thankfully, my men remained quiet, letting me lead this meeting. Their deference was a message in and of itself.
“Of course. As I’m sure you are aware, I am considered the leader of our people; however, it’s the council that makes the majority of our decisions. It keeps one person from becoming too powerful and ensures the needs of everyone are met. That said, during your stay, I’m certain you were aware that I supported your request, although I couldn’t outright show that support without doing your mission more harm than good.”
I nodded to her. “I had gathered as much.”
She sighed, continuing. “For years, the council has operated under fear. Fear that our people will die out, fear that we will be hunted and found even in our pocket of paradise. They came up with most of the decisions to keep us hidden and removed from the rest of fae society, believing it was the safest option for our people. Fear is a mighty weapon that can lead people to make unreasonable decisions, and I wasn’t happy that we led such fearful lives.
“We are a strong and mighty people, proud of our heritage and lineage. Unfortunately, that pride also led the council to create outcasts of anyone who wished to explore the world outside of the Enclave. They didn’t want our people to mix among the fae, choosing instead to keep our lines pure.” Her words were spoken with disgust and shame, her eyes dipping to her lap briefly before rising to meet Brannoc’s. “I’m ashamed to admit that for the longest time, I had felt the same. That was, until your mother made the decision to leave before she fell in love with a brownie. She had always questioned that need for our people had to remain separate from the rest of the world. She had done her duty, and she wanted to see the rest of the world.”
She smiled fondly at the memory. “It wasn’t until she left that I began to question whether or not she was right. For a long time, I was angry at her for leaving us, leaving me. Then I started to see that same nature in my own daughter.” We all remained silent, allowing her this opportunity to explain to Brannoc and to us the reasons behind her actions. She turned to meet my eyes. “Your visit finally gave me the power to change things. Your news of the land dying and the dire nature of your warnings became the catalyst to a greater fear among our people. If Avalonia dies, we are all doomed. The safety we had clung to for centuries would no longer be available.
“After you left, I was able to convince my people that standing by was no longer an option. It was time that we rejoined fae society. Avalonia was all but imploring us to do so by sending you to us. She wanted us to come here. To help you. Who are we but her faithful servants? We had no choice but to follow, to bring those willing to fight, the best among us, to help you save this land and the goddess that had brought us such safety and prosperity.” Her words finally trailed off, and I sat there, digesting the truth in them.
A tug on my heart, the same one I had listened to when I had left my men behind, told me that this was indeed Avalonia’s plan. Speaking up, I said, “I believe you. Now that you are here, perhaps you can help in other ways?”
“Whatever you need, just direct us. We are your servants in this matter as Avalonia’s Chosen,” Revna swore, a fist going over her heart as Ramund nodded in agreement.
I smiled. “Thank you.” Turning to Arryn, I asked him to fetch the items we had discovered. The Ravens were our best chance at discovering the importance of them. I prayed they’d be able to decipher the inscriptions, providing us with the answers we needed before heading off to this confrontation.
He hurried off, and I turned back to Revna. “So, it has come to our attention that Titania has been searching ancient ruins for decades, if not centuries. Recently, we went to inspect those ruins along with doing some research on them. In an old history book, we were able to find that these ruins belonged to a race known as the Fomorians. They invaded Avalon before the fae even had magic. Their purpose and desires were set on chaos, darkness, and violence. Their King was Balor, and he refused to bow down to Avalonia, refused to share Avalon with the fae. Because of this, the fae rose up and eradicated them from this land, gifted magic by Avalonia to win that fight.
“However, she had seen that one tribe among the Fomorians was not like the others. This tribe was set on justice and honor. She spared them, and they kept the temples. From what we were able to determine, these temples held objects of power that were precious to the Fomorians.” I paused as Arryn came back in with the items I had just been speaking about.
I braced myself for the taunting whispers, my mental shields slamming into place before he could bring them near. Turning back to Revna and Ramund, I continued my explanation. “We split up into three teams. Myself, Lennox, and Arryn inspected a temple in Summer Territory and came up empty-handed. Baer and Brannoc inspected a temple here in Autumn territory and came back with this orb.” Arryn presented it to the Ravens.
Revna hissed when her hands made contact with the orb. “How?” she asked, clutching it to her chest.
Ramund leaned forward to inspect the orb now cradled in Revna’s arms. “It has our markings,” he said, turning to me with a raised eyebrow.
“It does. Not only that, but I believe that Lennox, Arryn, and I failed to find any items because none of us are Ravens. Brannoc’s tattoos reacted to the inscriptions on the temple walls, glowing brightly. He also was the only one able to open the hidden vault that held the orb. Which tells me that the Ravens are not fae at all, they are the Fomorians that were spared by Avalonia, tasked with protecting these items.”
Ramund snapped his eyes back to mine from where he had been trying to peer at the now hidden orb. Revna’s own gaze found mine. “That’s not possible,” Revna said, her mind whirring. “Our history says nothing about this. It’s my duty to protect our history, and I would know if that were true.”
I dipped my head. “So Cyerra has told me. However, I believe that the knowledge somehow died when the fae rose up against you after the humans attacked them. It’s my understanding that many prominent leaders and elders were killed in their quest to rid you from Avalon.”
Revna’s eyes widened. “I was just a girl at the time, my mother chosen as the new Chieftain after the previous one had been killed. Surely, she would have known about something like this.”
“Or the information was guarded in the same way you now guard your history,” I accused her. Her eyes narrowed, not happy at the accusation. “Cyerra told me that she doesn’t even know the history that you do.”
Ramund chimed in, preventing Revna from retaliating. “Say you’re right. Say we are Fomorians. What does that have to do with what’s happening now?”
I sighed. “That’s the big question I was hoping you two could help us with. However, there’s more. Cyerra,” Revna’s attention was drawn back to me at the mention of her daughter, “Callum, and my father Jonathan Whitethorne went to the Winter Territory to inspect a temple there. Unfortunately, while they were there, Titania showed up. They hid and were able to overhear that Titania was needing the item that they had found.” I gestured for Arryn to hand it over.
Ramund took it gently from him, awe shining on his face as he held the tome reverently. “This book is needed by Titania for whatever she has planned. Cyerra reported that Titania said the book would allow her to ascend and become a goddess in her own right, giving her untold power. I can’t see how this is possible, but again, I’m hoping that you might be able to translate the inscriptions on those items.”
I took a deep breath, steadying myself for the reaction I was sure to receive after this next tidbit of information, but there was no way I could keep this from them. They needed to know what happened next and our plans moving forward. Looking to the guys in warning that they should be ready for repercussions, I continued. “Now, I must ask that you both please listen to this next piece without interruptions. It won’t be pleasant, but I promise I will give you all the answers I have.”
Revna and Ramund eyed me warily, their muscles tensing in preparation for what I was about to tell them. Finally, Ramund nodded at me to continue. “After Titania’s arrival at the last temple, they were able to hide successfully. They waited for her to leave empty-handed, but somehow, she had known they were there. When they tried to leave, thinking the coast was clear, Titania’s magic was able to block Cyerra’s smoke form, trapping them all there.” Revna jolted from her chair, anger flashing on her face. Ramund grabbed her arm and tried to pull her back down to sit.
Rushing on, I said, “Callum attacked Titania, getting her drop her magic and giving Cyerra the chance to flee with this book. She’s here, and she’s safe. I promised no harm would come to her, which is why I sent my highest trained consort and my father, who is well-versed in spells, magic, and history.”
“I need to see her,” Revna demanded, fear, worry, and anger warring on her face. “Now.”
“That’s understandable,” I said, turning to my men. Arryn nodded at me, indicating she had returned from her task of delivering messages for us. “Baer, will you go get her and bring her here?”
Once he had left, I tried to continue. “Now, Titania has Callum and my father. I’ve got a plan to get them back. I’ve made contact with her, and we’ve made a fae deal to exchange this book for them.”
“No! You can’t do that,” Revna exclaimed again, more mistrust spilling from her eyes. This time, even Ramund was having doubts, no longer trying to keep his mate from reacting.
“Listen, I get that this sounds crazy.” I held out my hands, doing my best to placate them. “But I’ve got a plan. Your arrival couldn’t have come at a better time. It makes what we need to do next easier for everyone. Tonight, if you can study the objects, then tomorrow, we will go to meet Titania. I promise you this, though: she will not get this book. She will not become a goddess or gain access to untold power. If you just trust me, this should all work out.”
“Listen to her mother. It’s the best plan we’ve ever had and our last chance to end Titania’s reign. We need to attack her with everything we’ve got, but Rhowyn must play a part until our opportunity presents itself.”
“Cyerra!” Revna gasped, immediately relieved, her fascination with the orb forgotten as her eyes traveled the length of her daughter, checking her for injuries. Arryn took the orb from her without her noticing as she darted toward Cyerra, embracing her.
Ramund handed over the tome as well, also going to hug his daughter. My heart panged at the scene before me. My own jealousy tugged at me, reminding me I’d never had that with my own parents. A dark thought wrenched at me as my emotions swelled. If I couldn’t have such affection, then why should they? Shaking my head at the desire to do them harm, I pushed forward, needing to know now if they would help us. If they refused, then we needed to leave immediately. “So, will you help us? Will you trust me?”
Revna turned to me, studying me while still holding her daughter. Her eyes met Ramund’s over Cyerra’s head, talking to him through their mate bond. Finally, she turned back to me. “Yes. We will help you. If Cyerra trusts you, and Avalonia has sent us here, then we will do everything in our power to help you.”