Page 66 of Their War

“Interesting,” she stated as she glided over to us, circling us like a predator would do their prey. I refused to succumb to the overt intimidation tactics, waiting quietly until she was once again standing before me. Instead of addressing me, she turned to the warrior who was still on bended knee, head bowed. “What have you brought me, Ramund?”

Rising, he moved to stand beside her and spoke as if they were having a private conversation that greatly amused them. “A stray Raven and his True Mate.”

Her head snapped to Ramund, the only indication of her shock. “A human as a True Mate? Surely you jest.”

“No, my love. Apparently, this human is also in line to be the next Queen.” The way he said human was as if he had mentioned he'd stepped in dog shit, dripping in disgust and scorn.

“Now I know you must be pulling one over on me,” she replied, somewhat irritated by the joke she thought he was having at her expense.

“Chieftain Revna,” I said, drawing her formidable gaze to mine before continuing. “He's not joking. I am the rightful heir to the throne after having completed the three trials and being selected by Avalonia herself.”

She tilted her head in confusion. “But you look nothing like the light-haired fae that goes by the name of Genevieve, who Titania has announced as the winner.” Her eyes narrowed as if daring me to disagree with her.

“She's lying,” I said simply with all the confidence and surety that I was the true Queen. “Avalonia chose me herself, and I'm here to complete the ascension to my throne despite Titania's efforts to thwart me.”

“Hmmm....” Revna studied me, seeing something in me that relaxed her. She stepped forward, sniffing me like her mate had. I tightened the grip of my hands that were clasped behind my back, letting her invade my personal space to complete whatever assessment she had to make, doing my best to not make any new enemies.

Stepping back, she tilted her head. “I never did care for Titania. It's about time someone came to knock her off her high horse.”

Relaxing slightly with her statement, I replied, “That's the plan at least.”

“And what is it exactly that you hope to gain from us?” Her head tilted to the side slightly, in the way that Brannoc often did when studying something that fascinated him.

Looking to Brannoc for reassurance, he simply nodded once, indicating I should continue. “We've come to ask for access to the pure waters so that I may drink and commune with Avalonia. As previously discussed, starting the ceremony at the castle's source is not possible, which has led us here to you.”

Her eyes found Brannoc's clearly not happy with him, her eyes narrowed in a withering glare. “I see. I take it you are the reason she is aware of our source?”

“I am,” Brannoc answered succinctly.

“And what gave you the right to reveal such a secret?”

“As Ramund mentioned before, as my True Mate, Rhowyn has just as much right to these lands as I do,” Brannoc said, not bending under her scrutiny.

“And you think that we should allow a human access to these waters?” she questioned further.

“She's not human.”

“Really, because she could have fooled me.” Her gaze met mine with scorn and unhappiness, her previously kind demeanor full of sharp edges now.

“I'm not human. I am simply wearing the glamor of a human,” I answered with just as much righteous indignation, my limited patience already beginning to wear thin. While I was giving her the respect she deserved in her own home, I would not be talked down to, and I'd be damned if I let her treat Brannoc with that same scorn. He had every right to this place, too.

“And why do you feel the need to wear such a glamor? Are you trying to lower our guard? To trick us?” Her posture moved from relaxation to awareness, studying my movements now for any sign of attack.

Unsure how to proceed without revealing all of my weakness, I knew I had to give her something, or we'd fail before we'd even gotten started. Failure was not an option. This was the only way, and I needed to do what was necessary to gain access to the water that they guarded.

With a deep sigh, I held out my hands to placate her and to let her see that I meant no harm or danger to her. “My glamor was placed by my father when he sent me to live on Earth. He was the head of a rebellion against Titania and feared for mine and my mother's safety, so he sent us to Earth where I was raised among humans, completely unaware of my fae heritage until I was selected to compete in the trials. My glamor should have broken upon my return to Avalon but has not for reasons we can only surmise at this time.

“We mean you no harm and do not wish to deceive you in any way. We simply ask for access to the waters so that I may commune with Avalonia and complete the task she has assigned me. We will leave and never return afterward should that be what you wish.”

She studied me, looking to her mate as if they were having a silent conversation. After several minutes, it seemed she had come to a decision. Turning back to us, she said, “I alone cannot make such a decision. The request you have made must be granted by the majority of our council. It is too late to convene them all and so it must wait until the morrow. You shall be our guests until such a time that a decision can be made.”

“Will we be able to be present during this meeting?” I asked, suddenly afraid that we would be misrepresented.

With a sigh and quick glance to her husband, more silent conversation passed between them. “If you must insist, then I must grant such a request as is the way of our people and our duties that we are bound by.”

“I insist,” I said without any doubt.

“Fine.” She waved a hand dismissively at us, already turning her back on us. Her body language indicated that she saw us as no threat. “Cyerra will show you to your rooms. We convene for dinner in about an hour. It would be wise to be there, as many from the council will be as well.”

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