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But I knew more than ever that this village was just the tip of the iceberg.

“So, where does that leave us?”

“Your battle is not with the undead. It’s with your King. Unless the old ways are restored, your kingdoms will never again hold the power to fight forces like the Vivi Mortui. The elders will never allow our magic to be destroyed. Convince them you want to reverse the fate of the kingdoms, and they might be convinced to let you go.”

“And my brother?”

Jaxus shrugged. “Make your case. There are those on the council who might be receptive to your plight.”

“When will they see me?” I urged.

“That’s why I came. They will convene tonight.”

FIFTY-SEVEN

NYX

Jaxus collected us at sunset and escorted us across the village to a community building filled with rows of benches facing a raised dais where a dozen chairs stood.

Whether the community usually attended council meetings or not, this hearing was closed. It was just us. We took seats on the front row of benches, and Zaria squeezed my hand.

A door in the back opened, and we stood as the elders filed into the room. Dragons could live a long time, but most didn’t see gray hairs in the First Kingdom. The sight struck a blow to my chest. One I wasn’t ready to face. I carried too many emotions over how many of my kind had perished too young to protect all the fae of the Twelve Kingdoms.These elders, male and female, ranged from in their prime to old and gray.

I had to find my calm while making my case. I reached for Zaria’s hand.

She took it and looked into my eyes. “Trust your words.”

“I will.”

The elders took their seats, and as I scanned them, it was easy to tell who was in charge.

A tall fae with closely cropped gray hair sat in the middle with an air of absolute authority.

“You look to be much better than your condition when you arrived.”

“I am. I cannot thank your healer enough.”I nodded to Emrys, who, as I suspected, sat on the council.

She nodded. “Am I to understand your mate saw us from above?”

Again, that word rang in my ears. Zaria had not made any comment about it, but I felt the awkwardness every time it was mentioned.

“You are,” I replied, then glanced at Zaria, apologizing for answering for her even though the elder had directed the question to me.

“Will you tell us how you passed through our defenses?”

“My brother was in trouble. I made the decision to fly over the Wild Mountains because going around would have taken time we did not have. We met a weather system but were able to push through it to clearer skies. I was single minded in my determination to get to my brother, but we didn’t actively try to fight any defenses.”

“I see.” She looked to Zaria. “And you saw us from the sky?”

“I saw the lake. It caught the sunlight and drew my attention for a moment. I didn’t see this village or any sign of life, though—just the lake.”

“And then after you were attacked with Dragon’s Bane, you were able to force a shift on your mate and power him to fly?”

“Yes.”

The elder glanced at Emrys, who presented his theories on how it had been possible. I could sense this was all just formality. They had discussed this at length already.

“So, you decided to flee back into the mountains?” the head elder asked Zaria.