Page 84 of A Fate of Blood and Magic (Fated #2)

Chapter

Thirty-Six

ELIAS

At the three-day mark, Hayden again took us to our appointment with Leah in Somnio. Although there weren’t as many injured fae as there were from the first three compounds, the few at the clinic were in far worse condition than I imagined, while much of the rebuilding seemed to have come to a halt.

Even though we didn’t get the news we hoped for, it was Teddy who insisted I stay back to be with our people while Ryenne stayed with Teddy at our house.

It gave me time to check on the countless humans and fae we’d imprisoned. To check on the progress of the structures we were rebuilding.

To check on Garrison, who Hayden had imprisoned after he confessed to his own betrayals. Betrayals his mother wouldn’t be punished for, although seeing her son in iron chains, awaiting our council’s decision was probably punishment enough.

I took each betrayal personally, knowing my parents wronged so many and the traitors had taken justice into their own hands.

For our next appointment, Leah had us wait five days until she saw us again at the clinic although she passed by our home daily, sometimes with Dela, to work her magic through Teddy and our son.

With each session, our son’s heart grew stronger while their joined magic healed the two valves in his heart that weren’t functioning correctly.

They were tedious appointments where Teddy’s fear threatened to overwhelm us both.

So, I used those sessions to captivate Teddy with the many mishaps I’d incurred in my youth with my closest friends at my side.

It helped ease some of her anxiety, and from what Leah told us, both boys seemed to enjoy my stories as well.

I spent those five days between Somnio and Reignom, going where George or Brenton said I was most needed and evaluating George’s plans to ensure our people’s safety while not making the humans who wanted to stay appear as a threat.

It was a fine line we attempted to traverse.

Those who wanted to leave were able to do so with Evander’s people, who would take them to the compounds for initial intake.

I also made sure I spent time with Teddy at home, usually stopping whatever I was in the middle of to have lunch with her, and always making sure I made it home for supper.

Teddy was never alone, though, with at least one of our friends available to stay with her.

Thankfully, whichever friend was there was also on food detail, either cooking or purchasing food from a restaurant of their choice.

However, I secretly believed her favorite visits were with Cierra since she enjoyed getting to know the female Donnie was falling in love with.

It took a week after those five days for Leah to finally clear Teddy, although she warned us both to take things slow and easy.

Through the many healing sessions, our son’s valves were fully healed and his heart strong enough that she no longer felt we needed to see her more than once every two weeks.

It was only because of Leah’s approval that I finally set up a date with the new council members Donnie and Alastor had appointed.

Since I’d put rebuilding the castle at the end of our list of tasks to do, we decided to hold our first council meeting at the tavern. It was a perfect spot with food at the ready and the tavern clear of any patrons.

With my hand on the small of her back, I guided Teddy through the tavern’s door. Alastor was the first to greet her, and I stilled when I heard him whisper an apology to Teddy. I scented her tears before I found Javier sitting next to Donnie and Evander.

I held a hand over her growing belly that she grasped tenderly, instinctively.

“I was going to tell you, but he only agreed to be on the council this morning,” Alastor said. “George wasn’t sure he’d be able to convince the director at the school to give him a day pass in time for our meeting.”

I patted Alastor’s arm before I put my hand on Teddy’s back again.

Teddy peered at her shoes, holding back her tears while I guided her.

I was careful not to look too intently at Javier.

Brenton saved us from any awkward greetings when he pulled Teddy into a chair at the front of the table, far enough away from where Javier sat at the center.

Teddy leaned over Brenton and patted Ettienne’s lap.

“It’s good to see you,” she told him.

“I was told Finley and I stayed in your home for a while,” he said slowly. “I thank you for having us. ”

“I only hope you’re feeling better,” she said with a soft smile, shifting closer to Brenton when he edged closer to her.

As she so often did, she rested her hand on her rounded belly, and I couldn’t help but rest my hand over hers.

“We would’ve come by sooner, but I was only released from bed rest a couple of days ago.

Elias is still treating me like a prisoner. ”

He smiled. “Then you know the dilemma I’m facing with Finley.”

Teddy laughed awkwardly. I noted the way she pressed her leg against Brenton, which he mimicked.

Guardians, this had to be torture for him.

I understood why Donnie or Alastor would choose Etienne. He’d once been my uncle’s most trusted adviser in the battlefield. He’d be a good voice to listen to. Hopefully, the medication Evander had found would help him. And if it did, the scholars I’d chosen would be able to replicate the medicine.

Donnie cleared his throat, and when I drew my attention to him, I let myself take in Javier for a few beats.

He looked healthier, bulkier, and sturdier.

It seemed the military was doing well for him.

I only hoped that the health that was evident on him physically was also taking its turn on him emotionally.

When he caught me looking at him, he stared back at me. I couldn’t help the pride that swelled at the way he held his shoulders back and head up.

A warrior. Always a warrior.

I was the first to look away and covered my mouth to hide my smile. But Guardians, the young male looked good. Almost like a full adult.

“Alastor and I aren’t really sure how these things go,” Donnie said. “If there’s a certain order in how we sit or how we start things.”

“How we’re sitting now is fine,” I said, taking in Alastor who’d sat beside Koa. At least that was one face I wasn’t surprised to see. “My father typically sat everyone by rank with him at the head, but I think it’d be good for us to be able to sit wherever we’re comfortable.”

“Should we start things, then?” Donnie asked.

I waved a hand for him to proceed, noting the scribe who sat at the far corner, behind the table we occupied.

She readied the clear crystal on her lap that would record our meeting and transfer every word spoken into written form.

She ran her hand over the crystal, illuminating it with warm colors as it awoke.

Alastor rose. “We’re here to discuss what to do with the fae and human prisoners whose attacks on Niev killed three hundred and sixty-two people.”

362. That number never got easier to hear.

“Of those three hundred and sixty-two, one hundred and eight were children and two hundred fifty-four were adults—both fae and humans,” he continued.

“Many of these prisoners snuck into Niev with the help of guard and messenger, Pietro of house Kontos, who also abducted and attacked King Elias and Queen Theodora of house Thierry. Since their abduction, Queen Theodora herself killed the traitor, but not before Commander George and Councilman Brenton extracted the names of other traitors as well as vital information that allowed Warrior Hayden and a group of warriors that he led to find four hundred and eleven weapons made of iron. Before we proceed, you’ll also note, Donnie and I invited a minor to join our council. ”

Javier straightened, tipping his chin slightly higher .

“You’d be a fool to underestimate him because of his age,” Alastor continued. “His wisdom doesn’t come from age but from life experience. It is because of him that I’ve reconsidered my initial thoughts on the prisoners. I urge each of you to listen when he speaks.”

When the room grew silent, I leaned my elbows onto my lap and said, “Who would like to begin?”

“Why don’t you begin, King Elias?” Evander said.

“Our role is simply to listen,” I said. “If the council or our head advisers cannot reach an agreement, that is when we step in, but if you want my thoughts, I’ll be honest and say I don’t know.

” I sighed. “I led the raid at the first compound. I went in with the intent to kill every person in a human military uniform. I felt it was my right as the soon-to-be king of Niev to avenge my people. I am still unsure how many nyxx died that night due to my arrogance. I’ve been too much of a coward to ask, but I know every single one that came with us died because of my orders.

Although we killed every soldier there, I earned us even more enemies from the soldiers at the other compounds.

Those enemies snuck in through the tear and hid among the humans living in our cities and Respandora.

Those enemies tried to abduct Queen Theodora while I was readying our warriors for an attack on the second compound.

Those enemies struck our military school and the castle.

Would things have ended differently if I’d shown the humans our might without the force of killing them?

I don’t know. But Donnie warned me I was making enemies.

I’ve replayed those words every day since.

And it was Javier who asked if we’re busy killing people we hate, or are we fighting for those we love?

We’re living in a different time. My soul-bound mate is half mage.

The babes she carries will be fae, human, and mage.

We were taught mages were the greatest evil our realm had ever known, when the truth is that the evil ones were those who wore a crown. ”