Page 25

JACOB

week has passed since the attack. Izzy replaced most of Victor’s council with her own and gave Nickolas and Yanuk high-standing positions as her second-in-command. Both gladly took it. All things considered, things are going well.

“Are you sure you don’t want a seat at the council?” Izzy asks me as we make our way to yet another meeting.

I chuckle at the offer. I would rather be that simple man who owns a bar and loves her. The constant meetings are becoming tiresome, but until everything is settled, they are needed, and I will be there to support her.

“I’ll pass.” I smile, wrapping my arm around her waist.

“Fine. Yanuk will have to do.” She laughs.

“He does an okay job.” Leaning in, I open the door to the meeting room as I keep her close to me.

She pins her lip under her teeth to refrain a smile as she pulls away and enters the long room with high ceilings. A tall window at the end is draped with heavy, dark-green curtains, which are pulled to the sides. It is raining today, creating a gloomy atmosphere. I prefer the sunshine, but the last few weeks have been scorching, so it’s a pleasant surprise.

“I do an amazing job.” Yanuk glares at me from his relaxed pose on a large wooden chair.

“Average, at most,” I respond with a smirk as we take our seats at the table.

The headaches are gone, allowing me to be back to my normal self. It feels good. I’m still searching for those lineage records. Something in me craves to know at least something about who I am, but at least I’m not in pain.

“Let’s get this meeting going,” Jona chuckles, an amused smile on his face.

I roll my eyes and shake my head.

“The loss we had attacking the safehouses was not as great as we anticipated. They did not even put up a fight when they saw us,” Jorgan reports, sitting in one ofthe dark, polished chairs.

“I find that very odd,” Enya, the fire fay negotiator, says and leans back, her arms crossed. “All these years spent planning and scheming, and then gave up so easily. I don’t think so.”

She does have a valid point. It is strange. My mother left her family for this. Those people were committed to the cause.

“So… all those people dead is just, what? A distraction?” Jorgan leans in and locks his eyes on hers with a lazy grin.

This woman is here on official business, yet the man chooses to flirt with the woman who could burn him to a crisp.

“No.” She deadpans at him. “There is power in fire and willing souls.”

“The witches,” Yanuk says, his voice carrying a hint of concern.

Tilting my head, I understand where this is going; the witches can collect the souls in the fire as a power source. It must’ve been their fail-safe just in case things went wrong.

Well, shit.

“Your young one is surpassing his master in knowledge.” Enya gives Jorgan a tight-lipped smile, and I let out a snort. He had that coming.

“The witches won’t attack unless they need something. Last I heard, the covens were laying low because they lost their princess.” Jorgan looks at Izzy, his expression changing to a serious one.

Witches are generally not to be trusted. The only good one I know is Anna. The girl seems afraid of everything, but is genuine.

“They won’t come out of hiding until they find her,” Enya says with certainty in her tone.

This complicates things a little, but at least we know we will not get attacked for a while.

“Are we certain about that?” Jona asks, his eyes on Enya. “How important is their princess to them? Important enough to stay low?”

Jona’s suspicion is valid. If they value the princess, they will stay quiet to avoid making enemies.

“My sources say yes,” Enya responds confidently.

Jona quirks a playful eyebrow at Enya. “I hope so.”

“Shouldn’t you be leaving to go guard some sort of mountain fairy princess?” Jorgan says, his tone tight.

I keep my composure and don’t bust out laughing. I did not peg Jorgan as the jealous type. Enya, on the other hand, lets out an unlady-like snort.

“Oh!” He heaves with a laugh. “My condolences to you.” She reaches across the table and places her hand over Jona’s.

“That’s what I keep hearing.” Jona awkwardly clears his throat and sighs.

“If there’s anything I can do for you, let me know.” Izzy offers him a sympathetic smile.

Rumors about the fairy princess of the mountain kingdom are not great. They say she is wild and unpredictable. At times manipulative. Heartless. I pity Jona, but he did not have to agree.

After the meeting, everyone files out of the oversized room. Enya’s eyes lock on my black ring, her head tilting so I squint my eyes at her. The woman is weird – beautiful in a unique way, but strange.

“Where did you get that?” she asks, snapping her eyes up.

“It was a gift. Why?” I ask suspiciously.

“Is Tengu in there?” Her voice softens. Taken aback, for a second, I don’t know what to say. “Was your father’s name Briar?” A knowing smile forms on her face.

“Yes,” I croak out, the memory of my father resurfacing.

That is a lot of personal information she knows about me.

“That is his brother’s ring. Well, half-brother’s. I don’t know where he is these days. Funny how small the world is.” She chuckles humorously.

My father never mentioned a brother, or any family for that matter. I just always assumed he had none.

“How did you know them?” The question feels heavy.

“They were both fay of shadow,” she starts. I jerk my head back from the shocking information. My father was a fay? “I met them during a celebration of sorts. Your uncle showed me the ring after he took a few substances that maybe he shouldn’t have.” She laughs and looks down at the stone on my finger, her face softening. “He loved his nephew, but he had these voices that never let him be at peace. I guess it was his way of showing you his love – giving you a companion.”

A longing to know a family tugs at my chest. I am curious about who the man might be. Maybe someday I will venture to find him. After I heal from the damage my mother caused me. Right now, I want to focus on finding peace with Izzy by my side.

“Thank you for telling me about him,” I tell her with a small smile.

Enya nods with a somber look in her eyes, leaving Izzy and me alone.

“Are you okay?” Izzy asks as she slides her fingers through mine, her delicate touch bringing me back.

Her gaze is soft, and the proximity of her body makes me feel complete. Leaning in, I press my lips against hers, warmth filling my soul. She deepens the kiss, and a soft moan escapes her mouth. She is enough. She is all the family I need.