19. Chapter Nineteen Arryn
Chapter Nineteen: Arryn
I walked into the main area to find Lennox, Baer, and Callum standing and waiting for me. No one said anything, distracted by our own thoughts. My own drifted to who I could talk to in my network of spies that I had built over the years, still concerned about who had turned me into the Queen. It was paramount that I made the right decisions on who to trust from here on out, unwilling to risk Rhowyn's safety on anyone that wasn't a sure thing.
Brannoc entered the room, all of us turning to watch him approach. My eyes darted behind him, a silent question about Rhowyn. “She needs a minute.”
I nodded, knowing we could all sense the turmoil through the bond, faint as it was. She was still blocking us out to some extent, though I was happy that she was finally, slowly letting us in.
“I'll take Callum and Baer first,” he said succinctly, not waiting for a confirmation, instead placing a hand on their arms and disappearing swiftly.
I knew from experience that he'd be back shortly and that I should be ready. Closing the distance between Lennox and I, I studied him, hoping he had his shit together after spending time with both Callum and Rhowyn last night. It had seemed they'd enjoyed themselves. Or at least Rhowyn had.
The pleasure from the bond had me fisting myself, unable to resist her desire as it flooded through me. I was certain Baer had felt the same thing and was just as ready for a repeat of our time with her. I'd quickly found my release simply picturing her in the throes of passion. The soft moans and noises that she made when she climaxed quickly pushed me over the edge. I had just finished and found sleep when Brannoc had entered my room. I was eager for more time with her, more time to explore her body and all the things that gave her pleasure, but now was not the time.
I caught a smirk on Lennox's face. How quickly he returned to that asshole facade. Although, after so long wearing it, I imagined it was now a part of him in ways he hadn't expected. It was good to see him smiling again. “Feeling better?” I asked him, even though we both knew the answer to that.
“You could say that.”
Brannoc returned, materializing just long enough to grab us both and depositing us in one of the quiet back alleys. After being a part of my network, he had a good idea of where I had wanted to start.
“Have fun,” he told us, disappearing again to get Rhowyn.
While I trusted him with my life, I couldn't help the fear that threaded through me. He was taking her into the belly of the beast, and there would be nothing I could do to help them should they run into trouble. I had to trust that he would do everything in his power to keep her safe.
“Alright, fearless leader, where to now?” Lennox snarked playfully, no heat in his tone, his eyes darting around as if guards were preparing to jump out of the shadows to detain us at any moment.
Smiling and shaking my head at his antics, I took off. “This way.”
Sneaking through the capital city wasn't easy. We had to hide ourselves frequently, the guards coming close to discovering us on multiple occasions, but Lennox's shadows kept us hidden even when I thought we'd surely be discovered. His shadows were similar to Brannoc’s, but different in the fact that we remained in our own forms. If someone looked hard enough, they’d see us and could touch us easily. However, not many people took the time to study the shadows, convinced they already knew what lay within them. It seemed that Avalonia was on our side, though, because we reached our destination quickly, all things considered.
Approaching the nondescript building in the heart of the city, I kept my eyes and ears open for any sign that we were about to be discovered. Once I was sure the coast was clear, I signaled for Lennox to follow me. Knocking twice at the back door of the dwelling, I held my breath, the fear of being discovered threatening to choke me. After what felt like an eternity but was surely only a couple of minutes, the door swung wide, revealing the brownie on the other side.
No words needed to be said, his gesture to enter came as soon as he realized who was at his door. Lennox and I rushed through silently, his shadows clinging to the entrance as the door closed behind us. With a deep breath, I allowed my muscles to relax as I realized we were alone. The brownie waved his hand for us to follow, his message clear. We needed to follow before speaking further.
The brownie bent, pulling back a rug to reveal a trap door to an underground room. His small body pulled on the ring until the door lifted. Lennox and I rushed inside, the darkness swallowing us completely until the brownie struck a match, lighting a torch and illuminating the small space.
Lennox and I both hunched over, the space clearly designed for someone much shorter, eyeing the brownie. I could sense Lennox's hesitation and fear to trust anyone outside of our group, but I was thankful he didn't question me. The last thing we needed was to have our network doubting our faith in them.
That's the funny thing about building an underground network. Both parties had to eventually decide to have faith. My people had to believe in me and my promises, those pretty words I spoke claiming we could fight back if we only stood together at the right time. But that faith had to go both ways. In the end, I needed to trust in the network I'd built, that I'd vetted the followers well enough to keep not only my secrets but of those who also made up my underground resistance.
With a nod, the brownie looked at me. True to his nature as a brownie, he didn't waste time, cutting straight to the chase. “Arryn. I take it you're not here for a simple update?” His words were spoken matter-of-factly, but the question was clear. He was asking if this was finally the time we decided to take a stand.
“Gorn.” I nodded at him in the greeting we couldn't afford earlier. “Wise as always.” Eyeing Lennox suspiciously, his dark eyes narrowed under his heavy brows. Before he could ask, I answered. “We can trust him. Despite what people may believe, he understands just how much his mother is costing us all.”
“Hmmph.” Gorn crossed his arms, still unsure of Lennox.
Sensing the hesitation, Lennox took a knee to ensure that he was of equal height to Gorn. “I get it. I was a playboy, an entitled asshole, and a puppet. What you don't know is that the whole time I grew up, I chafed under my mother's reign. I knew what she was doing was wrong, but I felt that I was alone, helpless to stand against her.”
His eyes met mine as he spoke from the heart. “The difference between a month ago and today is that now, I have people on my side. I have people I believe in, people I'm willing to die for to protect.”
Turning back to face Gorn, Lennox continued to let his words flow in a way that I hadn't expected from him. “Rhowyn is the Chosen of Avalonia. She's the answer to all our prayers, the hope for a better tomorrow. If you don't trust anything else, trust in this; I will do everything in my power to ensure that she takes the throne, even if that means my life. I'd do anything to protect her, to ensure her safety and happiness. Without her, we are all lost.”
His words seemed to ring in the empty chamber, Gorn studying Lennox and weighing his words for the truth that I knew he spoke. I hadn't seen this side of him much, but I believed him and his love for Rhowyn. Hell, all of us were in love with her, even Brannoc. Some of us had already realized it, like me and Baer. The others had yet to see the writing on the wall, letting their baggage get in the way, but I knew they'd all come around eventually.
In my opinion, the more the merrier. The greater chance of ensuring Rhowyn's safety. The thought of being the only one responsible for getting her on the throne terrified me. Despite my ongoing desire to see the Queen dethroned, I knew it was something I could never accomplish on my own.
Gorn finally nodded. “I take it you're needing information?”
“That would be helpful,” I answered him. “I'm sure you're aware that Master Jude was arrested and put in the dungeon?”
“Aye. Everyone at the castle has been on edge since. The Queen has been increasingly unpredictable since the ceremony failed so publicly. She's trying to figure out a way to crown Genevieve as her successor and has been holding meetings with some of Master Jude's acolytes.”
“I figured as much,” I replied, turning this information over in my head to find an angle.
“If you were wondering, the brownies are behind you. So are a lot of the lower fae. Rhowyn's standing in the trials was undeniable to many of us, and we're eager to see her on the throne.”
“That's good to know. We may need to call on you and the others to help at some point,” I told him. “For now, we're needing a way into the dungeons so we can free Master Jude. He'll never be able to complete the ceremony since Avalonia has already selected her heir, which means we are running out of time until the Queen loses her patience and puts him to death to send a message.”
Running a hand through his beard, Gorn grunted in agreement. “It's a good thing you came to me. I happen to have someone in mind that can help. He may need some convincing though.”
“We'll do whatever it takes. It's important that we get Master Jude out of there.”
“Keep in mind that he's not likely to help out of a sense of duty or for the cause. He's always been a bastard, money and secrets are what he trades in, but he'll know a way in, or he'll know someone who can get us in.”
I smiled. “While I'm happy to have you along, brother, now is not the time to reveal yourself. We need you to stay in place a little longer. My intuition tells me that things will be changing around here quickly. But for now, we'll have to do this without you.”
“Whatever you need, Arryn, it'll be done. This is the closest we've come in hundreds of years to overthrowing Titania. All of the underfae know that change is coming. We can smell it on the wind. Rhowyn has our support behind her.”
I clasped him on the shoulder, squeezing firmly. “Thanks, brother. We'll certainly need everyone when the time comes. Knowing you're behind us helps.”
“Of course,” he said. “Now, I'll set up my contact. Where should I send word when it's in place?”
“We're staying with Brannoc for the time being.”
“Say no more. I'll let you know when we're ready.” Gorn turned, snuffing out the torch and opening the trap door to let us out, silence following us all the way home.
As we slowly made our way back, I considered what Gorn had told us, thankful we had Brannoc's resources behind us. Whatever Gorn's contact asked of us, I was sure we could pay it in some way.