Page 45

K ian

“The realm is dying,” I say, letting my gaze move from one face to the next.

“She is sucking the life force from everything, including all of the beings who live within it – the Courts included. Every day that Snow remains in power, more of our world rots, blackens, and dies. She is relentless in her pursuit of power. Her mind has been corrupted. I know that you’re afraid.

I’m fearful, too, but we have no choice but to fight.

We must ready ourselves. My vision is to bring everyone together, whether fae, witch, or human, and to fight to restore what was lost. We can bring life back to these lands and freedom back to our people. ”

I lean forward, placing my hands flat on the polished wood.

“I’m not asking you to trust me because I’m a king.

I’m asking you to trust the vision of a future where all children can play under blue skies again, where forests thrive instead of decaying, where magic flows freely without corruption.

That future is possible, but only if we stand united.

We are powerful together. Even more powerful than Snow. ”

Seven pairs of eyes study me from around the circular table, each member of The Circle weighing what I’ve just told them. I have no idea what they are thinking. Do they agree? Are they going to throw me out on my ear?

The silence stretches for several heartbeats. Then Seraphina Blackthorne, a woman with silver-streaked hair and keen gray eyes, speaks first.

“Your words are compelling,” she says, her voice measured. “But uniting our species…it’s unprecedented. There are centuries of mistrust to overcome. Do you truly think that the fae themselves will stand against the queen?”

“Yes, I do. They are all just as much prisoners as the rest of us. Understand that the fae are expected to meet impossible quotas, all aimed at increasing her power, her hold. Their cages may be gold, but the bars detain just as well. They have been forced to enslave others to reach these almost impossible quotas.” I talk briefly about how witches are used as vessels to pull power from the emptyfae and about the mines and other enterprises.

“Everything Snow does is calculated. She wants to keep us exhausted, divided, angry, and fearful. She’s spent years turning us against each other to the point where we have become mortal enemies.

When we’re divided, she remains strong, but if we’re together, she will fall.

Just look around this valley.” I point at the view from the window.

“You’ve proven that magic can preserve and protect.

Imagine what we could accomplish if that same cooperation is extended beyond these mountains.

If everyone pooled similar resources. We cut her off and rally against her. I know it will work.”

Cordelia Ravenshadow, younger than the others, with intricate rune markings covering her arms, nods slowly. “What would the humans bring to this battle? They are weak.”

I chuckle softly. “You would be surprised how resilient the humans are. They are much stronger than you think. They’ve learned how to survive on nothing.

How to move quickly and quietly, and how to strike with deadly force.

They have become proficient with weapons.

I would go so far as to say that Snow is afraid of them.

They can’t be cowed or controlled. They are a real thorn in her side.

More importantly, she can’t see them in her great mirrors. ”

“She can’t see us, either,” adds Morgana Stormwind, her dark hair streaked with premature white. “I’d like to keep it that way.”

The others mutter agreements.

“Our young witches grow restless,” Morgana adds. “They want to use their powers for more than just maintaining barriers. They want to fight back. I am not entirely sold, but you have my attention.”

Again, the others nod or make noises of agreement.

Lilith has remained silent throughout most of the discussion, but now she stands, her presence commanding immediate attention.

“I’ve had time to consider Master Kian’s proposal,” she says, her voice carrying the full weight of her authority.

“The path forward is clear, sisters. We need to do what is right for the witches. I agree, Morgana, we would need further meetings, but I think an alliance with you, Kian, is the way forward.”

“Not just with me; with all of the kings. We would be in this together.”

“Our agreement and trust would need to be with you,” she insists. “You and you alone. Because you are the way forward for our people. It is you who is sitting before us now. You who we know. It is you whom my daughter trusts and seemingly with her life. You would need to agree.”

“I do.” I nod.

“And you agree to do everything in your power to serve and protect the witches…moreover, to serve and protect this coven? We would need to be under your protection.”

“As long as you all agree to work with me for the good of the realm, I would be happy to agree to all that and more.” My mind goes straight to McColl. I would do anything to protect her and keep her safe. I have no problem agreeing to Lilith’s requests.

The effect is immediate. If Lilith supports the alliance, the others will follow. I can see it in their faces; there is a definite shift from skepticism to acceptance.

“We’ll need to begin training immediately,” Seraphina says, already moving into planning mode. “Not just in magic, but in wielding weapons, too. I know we already incorporate this into our training currently, but we need to step it up. Perhaps we can even look at recruiting from other covens.”

“Yes, that is an excellent idea. I can reach out to the coastal covens,” Cordelia offers. “They’ve been hit hard by the blight. They’ll welcome the chance to come here.”

“The mountain clans, too,” Morgana adds. “They’ve lost too many to Snow’s creatures. We have the safest coven in all of the realm.”

“We’ll have to discuss it,” Lilith finally says, in deep thought. “It already takes so much energy to keep our valley safe; I’m not sure how many more we can accommodate. I will set up meetings with the other covens. They should be made aware of our plans so that they can start to plan themselves.”

Relief floods through me. Not just relief – triumph. This is exactly what I’d hoped for but hadn’t dared to expect.

“The Silvermoon Coven has always been progressive. They’ll likely agree once they hear what we’re planning,” Lilith goes on. “The Thornwood witches are more traditional, but they’ve suffered under Snow’s rule. With the right approach…” She nods slowly. “Yes, I believe most could be convinced.”

“How many witches are we talking about in total?” I need to understand the scope of what we’re building.

“Between all the covens?” Seraphina calculates quickly. “Perhaps three thousand trained witches, and maybe half that number again with untapped potential.”

The numbers are better than I’d dared hope.

Combined with whatever forces Xander, Orion, and Damon can muster, we might actually have a chance.

Thesha has a following among the humans.

We have the Polaris dragon, Raila, on our side, and with her, all of the dragons, whether they have a rider or not.

If only one of the others would awaken. The Shadowfae King, Everette, or the Shifterfae King, Griffin.

Then again, the shifterfae keep to themselves, living deep in the wilderness.

We may not get any help from him or his people, even if he does awaken.

I realize that I have been quiet for too long.

The Seven are all looking at me, waiting for me to weigh in.

“It is going to take time,” I say. “There is much to do. Many more who need to be convinced. This will only work if we have great numbers.”

“We’ll need coordination,” Cordelia points out. “A way to communicate between covens, to synchronize our efforts.”

“We will discuss that internally,” Lilith says, her tone final.

Cordelia nods.

“One thing concerns me,” Seraphina says, eventually. “Snow has spies everywhere. How do we ensure our plans don’t reach her ears?”

“Careful vetting of anyone we bring into the alliance,” I reply. “And compartmentalized information; no one knows more than they need to for their specific role.”

Lilith nods approvingly. “Wise. We’ve maintained our secrecy here for years using similar methods. For now, our plans stay within this Circle. We decide who to bring in and when to do it. It is important to state that I only make decisions I feel are right and necessary for this coven…always.”

“Of course,” Morgana says. The others agree, too.

It seems like a strange thing to say, but I don’t comment.

“Good.” Lilith turns back to me. “I’m going to assume that my daughter knows of these plans as well.”

I nod. “She knows, but she won’t breathe a word.”

Lilith looks me in the eye, narrowing hers. “Very well.”

The meeting continues for another hour, covering everything from supply lines to magical ward networks. By the time we begin to wrap up, I’m feeling more optimistic about our chances than I have since this whole endeavor began.

“I cannot thank you enough for your support,” I tell them as we prepare to adjourn.

“You can thank my daughter,” Lilith says with what appears to be genuine pride. “If she hadn't brought you here, made the introduction…”

The mention of McColl sends a sharp pang through my chest. I haven’t seen her since last night. I woke this morning to find her gone, slipped away like a thief in the night. The memory stings more than it should.

Then Lilith spreads her hands, sucking in a breath. “This alliance might never have happened. Make no mistake, Kian, we still have a long way to go before this becomes a reality.”

“The first step is always the hardest,” I tell her.

“It is, indeed.” There is a strange look in her eyes that puts my back up. I’m not sure why. She smiles, and the feeling is gone.

“Will you be departing today? You still have time to make it to the caves before nightfall,” Lilith says, and there’s something in her tone that makes me look at her more closely.

“I was hoping to leave first thing in the morning,” I say. “There are a few matters I’d like to attend to before I go.”

“Matters,” she repeats, like she knows exactly what I am referring to. Namely, that I plan to take McColl back to my bed. That I plan on keeping her there the whole damned night.

Our last one together.

Something flickers across her face that looks a lot like irritation, but I ignore it.

McColl is a grown woman. She makes her own decisions.

If she tells me to leave today, I will go.

I think of the magic that pulsed through me as my seed erupted from my body.

Of the pleasure so intense, it was almost painful.

Of how McColl screamed in sheer ecstasy.

How her body tightened around me. How she vibrated.

No, I think she will want me to stay, even if it is just sex for her.

“Of course,” she says smoothly. “You’re welcome to stay another night. Though I’m sure you’re eager to return to your fellow kings with the good news.” It is clear that I am expected to leave tomorrow.

“I appreciate your hospitality,” I tell Lilith. “One more night, and then I’ll be out of your hair.”

Her smile is polite but doesn’t quite reach her eyes when she inclines her head.

“I think that a small whiskey is in order,” Cordelia says.

“To celebrate,” Morgana adds.

“Yes, that sounds like a fine idea,” Lilith says as Cordelia stands, making her way to a desk in the corner. She opens a drawer and puts a half-empty bottle of golden spirits on the table.

“What say you, King Kian of the Emptyfae court?” Cordelia asks, taking out a glass tumbler. “Will you celebrate with us?”

“Of course, but just the one. I have a long trip to make in the morning.”

More than that, I am eager to see McColl. I can’t wait to see her face light up when I tell her about this meeting. I want to share this moment of triumph with the woman who’s come to mean more to me than she should.

Tomorrow will come soon enough. Tomorrow, I’ll have to return to the reality of war and duty and the impossible task ahead of us.

But tonight… Tonight, I want to be with McColl. To hold her again and pretend, just for a few more hours, that we could have more.