Page 117 of The Keeper of the Kingdoms

But it seemed I judged wrong. If they wanted a briefing on the happenings in the First Kingdom, they would have summoned only me. Since they wanted Kiera too, it could only mean they were displeased.

To face the wrath of the elders without any explanation or even fully knowing what this place was, wasn’t fair to her.

They were already waiting when we filed into the council building.

They sat on their raised dais with stern faces and folded hands. I slipped my hand into Kiera’s. Even if she never forgave me, I’d present a united front here. I hoped she went along withit. Because of the damn blood oath, I couldn’t even prepare her for what might happen.

The building stood empty except for the elders. Which meant they didn’t want the rest of our people to know what took place here. I stopped in front of their dais, squaring my shoulders.

“Have a seat,” Hadeon ordered.

We took the seats we were provided and waited. I knew better than to try and pre-empt the elders. It was better to wait and thank the Goddess, Kiera followed suit.

“Jaxus,” Visha, the head of the council, spoke. “You were permitted to leave on a short reconnaissance trip with the outsiders, but you did not return with Augustus and Xavi. Instead, you took it upon yourself to stay outside our lands for six months and then return with another outsider in your company. Please, explain yourself to the council.”

“I apologize most humbly.” I said, trying to sound sincere. My eyes were fully open after living on the other side of the mountains and I no longer held the councils word in the highest of esteem. Our way of life might be more conducive to happiness, but this was still a prison of sorts and I saw that now. I would placate them, but it would be just that.

“I sent Augustus and Xavi back to you but I was duty bound to assist in returning the others to the First Kingdom. Nyx was still weakened and had witnessed his brother’s death and as well as his ryder there was another innocent fae to transport. Without help I don’t think they could have made it back to warn the King of the attack.”

“I see.” The head of the council steepled her fingers. “Go on.”

“Once at the First Kingdom’s capital, Amaya, I thought it best not to return and risk our exposure after I had been introduced to the court. For the safety of our land, I stayed away and have since begun to make a new life in the First Kingdom.

“And what brought you back?”

“Whilst in the First Kingdom, I found my mate.” I gestured at Kiera.

There was a brief murmuring among the members of the council.

“As you can imagine, it’s difficult to maintain a blood oath when you are soul-bonded. And since I couldn’t risk my life and subsequently hers by telling our secret, I had no choice but to bring her here and show her what I could not say.

“So you placed the importance of two lives over those of all of our citizens?”

“My intention was not to endanger any lives. Kiera will swear the blood oath, too. You have no cause for concern.”

“There will be no need for any oaths this time since you will not be permitted to leave,” Visha informed us.

Kiera’s hand tightened in mine, and I felt her panic rising.

“It will be okay, Firefly,”I assured her, mind to mind.

“With respect to the council, Kiera is a vital healer to the First Kingdom and must return.”

“I am afraid that is not possible. You will both remain here,” the head said with finality.

“I have not broken my blood oath.” I met each one of their eyes in turn. “I’d be dead if I had.”

“We cannot risk?—”

I cut her off. “Where is the risk?” I demanded. “I have not broken any of our laws. I have kept my oath and my mate will swear one too, to ensure the continued safety of this land. Therefore, you have nothing to imprison us for.”

“There will be no imprisonment, Jaxus. You know that is against our ways. But we simply cannot allow an outsider to come and go as she pleases.”

“She is not an outsider. She is my soul-bonded.”

“But she is not one of us, and her mere presence here breaks our covenants.”

“We’ve let others leave before her!” I barely kept my tone in control.

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