Page 63 of Their War

“She did, but it wasn't the traditional way. Technically, the trials were not fully completed by anyone,” Arryn chimed in.

“Doesn't stop the bitch from trying to crown her lackey, Genevieve,” Callum grumped.

“What do you mean? She's trying to crown someone else? There shouldn't be any doubt as to who won. Besides, the magic of Avalon won't let the wrong Queen take the crown,” he stated with a slight question, turning to my grandfather for confirmation.

“A lot has happened while you were imprisoned. Titania has been trying to find a way to extend her rule by putting a patsy on the throne, either to rule behind her or to undermine her.”

“Right, which is why we have plans to complete a ceremony under her nose and crown me as the rightful ruler,” I explained proudly, forcing brevity even though his unspoken rejection was hurting me deeply.

“What can I do to help?” my father asked us, looking from me to Callum and then Arryn. “I should still have some followers out there. I'll need to get in contact with them as soon as I can to let them know what the plans are.”

“About that,” I chimed in again. “You do still have followers, but most of them think you're dead. You know, because you haven't been seen in over two decades.”

“Makes sense,” my father said, brow furrowing as he thought through this new development.

“Good news is that apparently Arryn here kind of took up your mantle.” I gestured to the man in question. “Okay, well maybe not in your name, but he was a spy and has a rebellion of his own that he's been growing for years.” I knew I was rambling out of nervousness, but I couldn’t help myself.

“I suspect, Sir, that many of the fae who follow me once followed you.”

“You must be one of Rhowyn's Consorts?” He looked at Arryn, then Callum. “And this brute must also be yours, I take it?”

“Yes, the brute is my consort, too,” I said, smiling teasingly at Callum, who narrowed his eyes at me.

He leaned over and whispered in my ear, “When we get the chance, I'll show you just how much of a brute I can be.”

My father sighed loudly. “I heard that.”

I blushed from my face all the way down to my toes. So, this was what it was going to be like with family around. Joy.

Chapter Thirty Seven: Brannoc

I waited in the living area, pacing back and forth every now and then when my nervous energy became too much. Pausing in my trek, I rubbed my tired eyes, regretting the lack of sleep from the night before. After Rhowyn had left with Lennox, I sat through the rest of the planning only half paying attention. Today, we would be leaving to approach the other Ravens, the ones who had been assigned to guard the source of the holy water.

While I was a Raven, I had never associated much with others of my kind. After my father had been killed, my mother left the enclave, falling in love with a brownie in the village I had grown up in. Taking a lover after losing her Raven mate was highly frowned upon by my kind. They had expected her to marry another Raven to continue trying to repopulate our species, which had dwindled significantly under Titania's long rule.

They had effectively shunned her, no longer allowing her to participate in their celebrations and rituals, and by doing so, had also shunned me. Even when she'd died before my powers had shown up, they still hadn't allowed me back into their graces. Instead, they had left me with the brownie that had loved my mother. I had been just another burden for the poor man who cared for me the best he could. That was until Arryn had taken me in.

Still, I had run into enough Ravens through the years that I knew where they were and what they considered to be their holy mission. I knew they would give us a hard time about entering their domain, especially if they found out about the fact that I had a True Mate, only she wasn't a Raven.

Running a hand over my face, I shuddered at how much of a coward I was being about the whole thing. I knew I should just tell her the truth, but I couldn't help the fear that she wouldn't be as happy as I was about the fact. And I was ecstatic. If the Ravens didn't accept my True Mate, then they could just go fuck themselves. I didn't need their approval, but it did seem that we needed their permission to obtain the water so Rhowyn could be crowned Queen.

When had my life become so complicated? Even assisting Arryn in his missions to undermine the Queen had been simpler than the mess we found ourselves in now.

I could hear the sounds of the others preparing for our mission. After eavesdropping on Rhowyn's meeting with her father, I couldn't sleep, so instead, I had gotten everything ready that we'd need. Hopefully everything would go smoothly, without falling apart, and we'd get what we needed without someone getting injured. Maybe, we'd be able to find a quiet moment where I could tell Rhowyn the truth.

As if my thoughts had conjured her, Rhowyn stepped into the room, leather pants and vest over a long-sleeved shirt. Her hair was pulled back from her face, the length swinging slightly behind her as she walked. Catching my eye, she smiled. Ducking my head, I turned away from her, my fear getting the best of me again. What if she didn't want to be my mate? How would I take that?

Her soft footsteps reached my ears as she approached me. She sighed when I didn't turn around to look at her. “Is this how it's going to be?” she asked, the hurt causing her voice to break slightly.

I turned around, unable to bear being the cause of her pain. “No. It's not you...” I started, but my words failed me again.

“Really? Because it sure does feel that way to me. I thought we had something.” Her wide honey eyes watered as she called me out for my behavior.

“We did. We do.” I pleaded with her to understand, futile though it was. How could she understand something she had no idea about?

“Then why are you avoiding me?” she asked. When my mouth opened and closed several times, the words failing me, she continued, “Did I do something wrong?”

“No,” I sighed, closing my eyes and building up the courage to just spit it out.

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