Page 92 of A Fate of Blood and Magic
“How did the other fae treat you?” I bit my bottom lip, worried to hear her reply. Aside from the kids, Grandma Richter, and my friends, no other humans were invited.
“I actually don’t know.” She let out a disbelieving laugh. “Brenton swept us past everyone so that we were seated with him and your group. Your friend Ryenne kept us entertained whenever there was a lull. She’s a feisty burst of light.”
I chuckled at the perfect description of my best friend. “She really is.”
In my arms, Mimesoa stretched, slowly blinking her eyes. I stilled, holding my breath as she peered up at me. Her face scrunched up, and she belted out a wail that had me shoving her in Bon’s direction. My friend laughed, tucking her close as she excused herself to feed Mimesoa.
While I waited for Elias to finish, Kieren approached me. His smile was big and lopsided, making my heart race in his joy. Silas rested a large hand on Kieren’s thin shoulder, and Kieren stepped closer to his dad’s side. Silas’s light eyes swam over his son, seeming to take him in a final time before he turned to me. Having seen them, Elias walked up to us, brushing snow and dirt off his hands. I stood, sidling next to Elias, when he wrapped his arm over my shoulders.
Elias’s relief and joy crossed through my mind with the elated thoughts he could barely contain. One family was whole, making the kingdom he loved a little bit more complete.
“Are you heading home?”I asked.
“Yeah,”Kieren answered.“Thank you for letting me stay with you.”
Javier, Delaney, and Aidas stood around their friend.
“You’re welcome anytime,”I said, and Elias nodded.
“We enjoyed having you over.”He turned his attention to Silas.“Not tonight, as I’m sure you’re ready to go home, but someday soon, I’d like to speak to you of Kieren’s bravery and what he did for my mate.”He grinned, pointing his thumb at Aidas.“This one, on the other hand, we barely tolerate.”
Aidas grinned. “Don’t pretend I’m not everyone’s favorite.”
Elias arched a single brow, and I shook my head at whatever ridiculousness he was about to say.
“Are you suggesting my mate favors you?”
“No, King—Your Majesty,” Aidas said quickly, averting his eyes to the snow-covered ground.
“You leave that poor angel alone, Elias,” Ryenne called as she hurried to Aidas’s side to defend him with Donnie and Nate behind her.
While Aidas kept his face downcast, I could still see his victorious smile.
Moments later, as Silas and Kieren were getting ready to leave, Elias caught Silas’s attention.
“Will you be going to the meeting tomorrow with the shifters?” Elias asked.
“With your permission, I’d like to attend,” Silas said. “I’ve lived among the shifters for a few months now. We’ve worked together, but more than that, I’ve come to consider a lot of them good friends.”
Elias nodded. “I think it’d be wise for you to attend.”
“If I may ask, what will become of the prisoners?” Silas asked.
Beside me, Elias stiffened, but he kept his expression impassive. I saw the way he stabbed his tongue at his innercheek, though, and the way he blew out a frustrated breath. “They’ve already been taken care of.”
“Taken care of, how?” Donnie questioned.
“I sentenced them all to death.”
“You...tell me you haven’t already killed them.” Donnie’s voice shook at the implication.
“Why would I have prolonged their judgment?” Elias asked. “I can assure you, none of them suffered.”
“What about their families?” Donnie asked.
“What about my family who they tried to take from me?” I didn’t have to look at Elias to know his eyes were the color of night. “I may have put you in charge of the human patrol force and given you jurisdiction over humans, but make no mistake, Donnie, this is my kingdom. I will rule it as I see fit.”
“They didn’t get a trial,” Donnie argued, fisting his hands at his side. “Where we come from, people are assumed innocent until proven guilty. You didn’t give them a chance to speak.”
