Fortunately, my mother was not among those souls. She’d been locked up by my grandfather, and now stood in the clearing near Shade’s mom.
Aswad lurked nearby, his expression one of confusion and loss. He’d been a victim of my grandfather, as had several other councilmen, including Emelyn’s father, Lima, who had broken down into hysterics shortly after being freed from the spell. At least, that had been Tadmir’s report and explanation as to why Lima had not attended the ceremony.
I felt for the Elite Blood on some levels, but blamed him on others. Lima had always craved power, hence him arranging a marriage between me and his daughter. So while he might have been more recently under my grandfather’s spell, he hadn’t always been that way.
As far as Aswad was concerned, I wasn’t sure how I felt. I could sense Shade’s disbelief surrounding his father’s sincerity and his questions around whether or not he had truly been under a spell. However, Tadmir did confirm that he’d unwound the manipulation charm himself prior to the ceremony. And he also sensed that it had been there for quite some time.
Exos had overheard our brief conversation and mentioned something about a Spirit Fae named Mortus undergoing a similar experience with Elana. Shade had asked if he trusted the Spirit Fae, and Exos had frowned, saying, “Not quite.”
A sentiment Shade and I shared not just about Aswad, but the other Councilmen and Elders as well.
We’d be watching and ready to deal with those threats as they arose, because no one would be touching our queen.
Zeph hummed in agreement in my head, our connections wide open thanks to the Earth Fae bonds that had settled between us all.
Although, Aflora said it wasn’t normal for the link to be so vast, saying that she was fairly certain Claire and her mates couldn’t speak this way. Of course, she’d never sought definitive proof of that belief because it really wasn’t anyone's business whether or not Claire’s mates could speak to one another.
Regardless, I suspected our ability to converse was due to the mingling of Dark Source and Earth Source together, and perhaps the result of several of us sharing our own bonds with each other, too.
Aflora sighed contentedly against me, her body seeming to sway.
I think our star is ready to go home,Zakkai said to us all. The question is, which home?
I know a place,Shade replied.
Of course you do,Zeph drawled. Another paradigm?
A final secret feels like a right of passage, Shade said, ignoring the question. Shall we?
Aflora hummed, saying she needed to wish a few fae goodbye, which included Claire and all her mates. They were heading back to their kingdom rather than staying, Exos saying the Death Magic was irritating his ties to the Spirit Kingdom—a fact Shade found amusing.
Eventually, the formalities were done. I didn’t hug my father, but told him we would talk. His expression said he understood, our last meeting not having been a favorable one. And if I was honest, his inability to stand up to my grandfather bothered me a bit. As the Midnight Fae King, he should have been stronger.
But that was a conversation and concern for another day.
Shade didn’t approach his own father, but did hug his mother.
When I couldn’t find Tray or Ella, I decided to give them their peace, and returned to my mate. They’re okay, she whispered to me, taking my hand. I can sense their content.
Thank you, I replied, reaching for Shade as he wrapped us all up in a cloak of shadows.
He grabbed my hip, pulling me toward him and stirring a growl from Zeph.
I just shook my head and smiled. Because possessive Zeph was my favorite kind.
Which meant we were in for a whole day of wicked fun.