Page 20 of Of War and Realms

I groan, leaning into the heat of Emrys’s mouth. “This will be fun.”

Releasing my captain, Casmir pulls my attention toward him as he lifts my left hand, mimicking Em’s sweet gesture. He taps my finger, winking at me before pulling us along.

I’ve never been privy to the meetings of the gods, seeing as I’m not sanctioned, so I’m feeling more nervous than usual. I know they’re on our territory, and this meeting is to discuss strategy and training, but they’re fucking gods. They believe the realms revolve around them.

Well, in some ways they do.

But having to be the mediator between the fae and the gods during a second war Andras has fabricated, where he’s also bringing along his new demon friends? Yeah, I’m stressed the fuck out.

Stepping into the room, I’m reminded of the last time I was here. When I went all psycho bond on the council for disrespecting Cas. I almost hope this meeting ends up the same…my magic could use some releasing.

I’m too focused on my thoughts to take note of who is already here; so I do not notice when someone stands next to me and nudges me in the shoulder. I whip my head around, ready to curse out the person who thought it was okay to touch me, when I come face-to-face with my best friend.

“Cal, oh my gods!” I squeal, ignoring the looks of distaste from the other gods. I swing my arms around his neck to hug him, squeezing hard enough that he grunts and strains to push me off.

“Fuck, Nell. I haven’t seen you in a quarter century and your first instinct is to behead me?” I laugh, relenting. Releasing him, I cross my arms and glare at the beautiful male. It’s strange…he doesn’t seem to have aged, though there’s an air of maturity surrounding him that he did not possess before. He stands taller, with more confidence. His bright, blue eyes are not as soft as I remember, and even his light hair appears manicured. Interesting.

“Don’t sneak up on me, and I won’t have to.” He rolls his eyes, flashing me the charming grin that gets every other female dropping to their knees for him.

“I missed you.” He steps forward and the light surrounding him seems to darken. He grips my chin, forcing me to hold his threatening gaze. “I heard what you said to Aeryn. You do not need to give me the details, but I will give my life to make him pay for what he did to you.” My heart falters, skipping several beats before restarting again. I know Calix cares for me, but he’s never made such an intense declaration before. I always thought I was the one who had too many feelings in this friendship.

I love the male as if he’s my blood, and would have done anything to ensure his safety. But as much as I still think of him as family, I realize I don’t feel that way any longer. My chest aches at the thought. The realization hurts, though it feels right.

No more would I risk anything for him as I would for my bonds. I would sacrifice him without a second thought to save them.

What the fuck is wrong with me? Calix was there through everything. He knows all the horrid details of my mother. He knows all of my insecurities, weaknesses, and guilty pleasures. Besides Xamira, he was the only one there for me when I needed someone. He trained me to be the best. He gave me so much of himself to make me into the goddess I am today. And yet my first thought after not being able to see him for decades is that I would give his life for my males?

My vision blurs, and I blink it away, offering my best friend a warm smile. I swallow down the bile threatening to rise, giving me a moment to think of a response. Casmir saves me from my inner turmoil, sliding an arm around my waist and gripping it possessively. My cheeks heat.

“Who’s this, princess?” He asks in a way that suggests he doesn’t trust the male in front of us.

“I’m Calix,” he offers, his blonde hair falling forward as he bows his head. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Casmir.”

Cas’s arm sags around me, releasing the tension he was holding. Did he think this was my ex? Or someone I’ve fucked before? I scrunch my nose, frantically trying to push away the image of fucking my best friend.

I look over my shoulder to check on the others, but the seats are not filled yet so I quickly bring up a sound barrier around the three of us. Facing Calix, I find myself whispering even though no one else can hear. “What’s been happening there? They all look the same, but the energy is quite different. Even with you.”

His eyes flick behind me for a moment before returning to mine. Cas’s jasmine scent washes over me as he pulls me closer, and I coat my lungs with it.

“There was…” Cal pauses, strumming his fingers along his thigh. Something he does when he’s nervous. “There was a dispute among the eight when they received your message. They thought it was a joke before looking into your claims further, only to realize they didn’t actually kill Andras.” He steps closer, positioning Cas and me just in front of him. His voice lowers to a whisper, so quiet that a mortal could not hear it. “The eight threatened to turn on each other. They blamed one another for failing in their job to kill Andras, because none of them can remember what actually happened. It’s as if every one of them expected the other gods to handle the traitor, so they didn’t bother checking to make sure he was actually dead.

“Then, the demis found out. I’m surprised there wasn’t a full civil war with how hard they came at the eight; especially General Kreen.” He nods slightly where the male sits stiffly in his seat, glaring at the table as if it’s offended him. “He was rallying other demis to go against the eight with him, but Aeryn shut him down quickly. She went from being an authoritarian to a complete dictator in a matter of seconds. Since then, she’s been controlling everything. So we’re all a little on edge, I would say.”

I curse to myself, rubbing my forehead deeply. I swear this festering headache will be the death of me if Andras isn’t first. “Don’t worry about it. I will handle her.” She has no fucking right to act as if everyone is below her. I may have put up with it for years, but I’m done. And I will not allow her to continue the behavior on them just because she hasn’t been able to force it on me.

Releasing my magic, Cas and I walk to the head of the table, where he insists I sit as he and Em each take a side next to me. I fight it for only a moment, before I see who has planted herself directly across from me. I lower myself into the chair, holding her barren gaze. She raises her chin in the way that tells me she’s about to speak. Clasping her hands on the smooth table, she looks at each one of us before opening her mouth.

I let her. I’m interested to hear what she has to say.

“As you all know, Andras is alive and bringing war to our realms. Again.” She recites a history lesson—which is a complete waste of time—but I’m sure makes her feel superior.

A prickling grazes my neck, and I look to see Teryn watching me. Her eyes flit between my mother and me before giving me a remorseful smile and focusing on her tea. Next to her, Niair watches mother with narrowed eyes. He doesn’t trust her. Good…he shouldn’t.

“Aeryn, if I may—” my father starts, interrupting the Goddess of War.

“You may not,” her clipped voice permeates the already tense atmosphere.

She clears her throat, dismissing him. “This is something history has not seen before. We—”

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