Page 48 of Within the Veil

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My stomach rumbledas the delicious scents of food wafted to me. On either side of the room were two smaller tables, heavily laden with various foods and snacks that had my mouth watering. Before I finished the thought, a beautiful female fae with striking light blue eyes, full lips and what I would suspect were laugh lines, if the Fae looked anything other than walking porcelain dolls, approached my side with a plate heavy with food. When she set the plate in front of me, her hand brushed against mine and just like with Eridis, I'm able to pick up basic information. The difference now is that I can also pick up on her every thought; dreams, hopes, desires, and even a very particular power signature. One in line with her chosen line of work as a midwife.This is new.

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I hopethe Queen likes me. Have they told her that I'm her midwife? That I was taking care of her while she slept? I haven't seen her since she woke up. King Oberon asked me to see her soon to check her progress now. Goodness gracious, I'm so nervous. I haven't had a chance to meet her yet formally. I wasn't at the first gathering she had. I hope when I go over, I will see King too. He doesn't notice me. Ugh, he is so dreamy and so unlike the other males. Down to earth, funny, sweet, kind, and utterly devoted to Hudson.I caught a brief image of King while training and dripping with sweat flash in her mind while she rambled on, and I had to agree with her, Kingisdreamy, that was for sure. But can't have him. He is mine.

I frown at the intensity of that thought and shove it to the far recesses of my mine as I feel a mental poke from my men. I bite back a laugh--As if I can handle more peens.

I focused back on the woman in front of me--powerful, kind, apparently my caregiver, and infatuated with King.

I smile warmly at her, "What's your name?" While I know of her, she is right. We have not formally met, and I rather do it the proper way not the 'hey I read your mind and know all about you,' way. My mates had briefed me on the miracle that kept me hanging on until Xena brought over her miracle elixir. But since I woke up, the boys and Remi have taken over my care and measurements, and I have yet to actually meet her in person, even though Oberon said I would. She was absolutely stunning. Slender, like most of the Fae women, but smaller in stature. Her eyes were a stunning green color with hints of blue, and her lips were plump and luscious. Damn, she was hot.

King could do worse.

She blushed, "Finleigh, my Queen."

"Well, it's an absolute pleasure to meet you. Awake, that is. I hope we see more of each other. I can use as much help as I can get with this belly," I chuckle, and she smiles brightly before she bows deeply and goes to stand back against the wall. Once I was situated, I noticed that various Fae were sprinkled around the rooms, bringing drink and food to those already seated as well. I frown internally. While I understand that there is a sense of hierarchy among the Fae, I want to make sure that those working are doing so of their own free will and that they are happy. Were they even being compensated correctly? Is compensation even a thing here? Regardless, the first to be overlooked are usually the first to betray.

Bringing my attention to the table, I nod at the council members sitting at the table. To my immediate left were King, Jensi, and Luca before the other council members, and Remi, Zane, Grayson, Hunter, and Ryder sat to my right, Oberon choosing to stand behind me. We make a pretty good-looking group, if I do say so myself. I ignore my fathers' empty seat, but the immediate flare of pain in my chest takes my breath away as I see Kalen's seat that, unlike Shea, won't ever be graced by his presence again. Oberon's hand briefly touches my shoulder, and King sends waves of calm through our bond as they feel my distress.

I take a deep breath, focusing on the Council members who remain; Brighid, Dana, and Bran. I take in their delicate features and matching green gossamer-like traditional council robes. I can tell by the slight tightness of their features as they observed us in return, their eyes flicking towards our crowns, that they were irritated and put off by something.

Our power signature is higher as of 10 minutes ago. As King said, they must have sensed it, but now that we are here, there is no doubt. It makes them uncomfortable,Zane's voice dances through my head.

Sucks for them,I reply.

They keep their faces blank, but the amusement hits the bond hard.

More than that, I am sure they also sense the power shift that is still to yet to come--They know I am not pleased. To think, these green gossamered fucks were giving King, Jensi, and Luca a hard time. At least put on some armor if you want to pretend to be a hardass. But the one who took me by surprise is that the sweet Brighid, who introduced the council and initiated the verbal fuck you to Radella, what seemed like a lifetime ago, is letting this shit happen.It's always the nice ones,I think to myself wryly.

I clear my throat, "Thank you all for your assistance. It is greatly appreciated and you are seen. Please leave the chambers for now." They smile and with a bow, the helpers in the room hasten to leave before sealing us all in the room with a handful of guards.

I nod at Oberon, who sparks a silence charm in the room, ensuring the only ones who would hear this meeting would be us and the Council. While I intend to trust all of my people, the truth is...we were betrayed once.

Before I open my mouth, one of the Council members beat me to it; Dana if memory serves me correctly.

"It is so good to see you in good health. We are looking forward to moving forward to protect our people and our home." The tightness of their shoulders warred with their curious eyes that kept flicking between our faces to our new crowns and back.Well, I wasn't going to fill them in if they were too pussy to ask.

I resist the urge to curl my lip and before I answer I flip through all the knowledge now at my disposal, and as I thought, Dana is breaking Council rules by speaking before me; both by the fact that I have yet to meeting to order and before I acknowledge their permission to speak freely. Spoiler, they won't be getting that permission. They lost that right and not one little inch on this glorious pregnant body gives a flying pixie fuck. Correction, hungry pregnant body. My stomach protests and still I remain silent, choosing to grab a small sandwich from the tray that had been placed in front of me and finishing it off before I speak.

The way I'm feeling, they didn't want me hungry as well as volatile. The three members bristle as I take a napkin from in front of me and wipe my mouth before I look Dana in the eye, giving her a wry smile.

"You forget yourself Dana. I have yet to call the meeting to order. Or have you forgotten protocol? Or, as I suspect, you pick and choose which tradition or set of rules to follow based on how you feel on a certain day? My, oh my. You are fortunate you have myself and my royal consorts to help you remember your duties and responsibilites...and formalities." I drawl the last, a hint of steel in my voice.

Her eyes widen she shifts in her seat uncomfortably as I stare her down; approval trickling through the bond.

After a few moments, "Good, you seem to learn quickly. Let's begin the meeting," I briefly close my eyes and let my power fill the room, my magic taking hold of the room.

"I hereby convene this assembly to address the matters of our realm. Let wisdom and unity guide our deliberations for the prosperity and harmony of our people. So shall it be," my voice sounds husky, laced with the same menace and vibration of power that took control during the obstacle course months ago at Delorean. Only this time, it is fully a part of me, no longer warring with my human side. To put it plainly, it is more terrifying now than ever because now? I know exactly how to wield it effectively. Not just for war but toreign.

I open my eyes and keep my voice pitched low," to address your earlier, out of place, greeting. You say you look forward to working with me to ensure the protection of our people and our home, but that is a lie. While I was indisposed, you failed to come to a resolution with my sentries. When I did regain consciousness, and we exchanged missives, you still failed to act in a way that would further our position within this war. To be frank, if it takes you several weeks to move forward, as you put it, Dana. Then we have a much bigger problem. One that not only shows your disloyalty to the Crown but to the very people you claim you wish to protect." Although the words are calm, the ice underneath makes the room cooler, noticeably so.

"If I may, my Queen," Grayson says, his low rumble sending shivers down my spine. I nod.

"These few weeks have been hectic, to say the least. We have dedicated time to train the soldiers to make sure they are prepared for anything that may happen. The sentries, an extension of the Crown, have worked diligently to no avail. It appears that the Council chose not to come to a decision--Ignoring their duties. Nor did you formally request a meeting with us," he finishes.

"While our world is traditionally led by a Queen at the helm, considering my state at the time, you purposefully chose not to fulfill the duties of your position. We have lost time that could have been spent gaining allies. Instead, we have to start to expand our search now."

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