Page 54 of The Rowan
I clap him on the back. “You’re not the only one. Instead of delegating my daily duties, I embraced them, hiding behind the familiar while giving her help from the sidelines. And it’s my life debt!” I pound my fist on the table, anger overriding my usual impassiveness. I watch them glance at each other, shocked by my emotion. “It stops now. Arden’s important, not just because she needs us, but because we need her. She’s Valerian’s mate. His mate! And she’s slowly claiming Astor, too. She’s making us stronger, all of us.” I glance at Astor, who’s startled by my statement.
“She gave me the ability to heal again, my light, the one I’ve missed for so long,” Daire admits softly.
Valerian’s voice is gruff as he chimes in to the conversation. “Even before I knew she was my mate, I could see she was changing us in little and big ways. For me, I’d grown weary of the dragons and their resentment, but instead of looking for solutions, I let the status quo remain. Now? Arden’s life could be in more danger simply for being my mate, and I have no relationships, no bargaining power with the dragons.” He sighs heavily.
“When we visited the witches the other day, Arden held my hand in front of them proudly,” Astor muses darkly. “And she encouraged Reyna, her enemy, to fight for her incubus lover without an ounce of prejudice.”
Knowing we need more time, I propose a solution. “The Abbey is closed for a month. With your agreement, I propose we keep it closed for a while longer, which will give us time to focus on Arden.” After getting their agreement, I lay out the next step. “Tomorrow is an important night for Arden. Hopefully, it’s the beginning of some answers. I intend to stand by her side.”
Valerian stands. “I’ll be there. Arden has already told me she wants to introduce me as her mate. She says it will help to have the King of Dragons by her side.” He snorts. “Vargas taught her battle strategy well, but strategy is not the reason I’m attending. As if I’d let my mate walk into that den of snakes alone.”
Fallon straightens his shoulders. “I’ll go. And starting next week, I’ll show her my Elven magic. Maybe something in her will respond. I’ll also put a hold on my father’s missions for a while.”
“I want to see her pass her healing test, and I want to stand up for her. Nobody stood for my mother when she tried to come back and present me to the coven…a mixed breed child,” Daire rasps, the memories still painful. He looks over at Astor, who shares his pain.
With a grimace, Astor waves a hand. “I’ll go.” He leaves the simple statement hanging in the air.
“It’s settled. I’ve got a few phone calls to make before tomorrow. We’ll meet on the first floor by the elevators about thirty minutes before our departure time,” I state. “After tomorrow night, we’ll regroup and figure out our next steps with Arden.”
33
ARDEN
With a turn, I survey myself in the mirror. My hands tremble as I smooth the amber silk dress over my hips.Inhale, one, two, three, four, five. Exhale.Besides the tremble in my hands, none of my internal turmoil is on display. My power is contained…for now.
Walking out of my room, I step inside the elevator to take it to the first floor of The Abbey. The doors open, and surprise renders me motionless for a brief second before I’m hurtling myself at the vision in front of me.
“Solandis!” I cry, diving into her arms. “What are you doing here? Not that I don’t want you here, I do, but is it safe?”
After a long hug, she pulls back and holds me at arm’s length. “Oh, sweetheart. Hardly any time has passed, and yet I feel like I’m seeing an entirely different person. You look beautiful, but there’s something else, I can’t quite put my finger on it.” Her eyes sweep over me from head to toe, and a tiny frown appears between her eyes.
“Give her to me,” a gruff voice demands.
With tears in my eyes, I turn and step into Vargas’ arms and the massive hug I know is waiting for me. “Vargas!” For a minute, I just allow him to hold me. I missed him and our daily sparring. I laugh. “I have someone for you to meet. Actually, more than one.” A lone tear runs down my face, and I quickly swipe it away.
All five of the Imperium Cadre are standing a few feet away, their gazes glued to our family reunion. When I gesture to them, they step forward.
“Solandis, Vargas,” I begin, my mind racing to figure out the best way to introduce them. “Meet the Imperium Cadre, my—” I stop and gather my thoughts. “Friends doesn’t seem big enough to encompass everything they are to me. I’ll just introduce them one by one.”
Grabbing Valerian’s hand, I pull him forward. Vargas’ eyes widen, and he stands tall, puffing out his chest and widening his stance. “This is Valerian, King of Dragons and my mate.” I let that sink in for a second.
Solandis gracefully steps up and takes Valerian’s hand. “Welcome to the family,” she says, warmth and happiness filling her voice. She steps back and elbows Vargas.
Vargas steps forward and shakes Valerian’s hand. Based on Valerian’s grunt, I assume it was one of Vargas’ bone-crushing, ‘we’ll talk later’ handshakes. He steps back and gives Valerian a hard stare.
I laugh. The fact that Vargas is restraining himself means he approves of our match and that Valerian is one of the few males Vargas actually respects.
A step to Valerian’s right is Theron. Wrapping my hand in the crook of his elbow, I bring him forward. “You know Theron,” I state. “He’s been incredible, organizing us all and supporting me. He’s special to me.” The simple statement is only the tip of the iceberg, barely conveying what he means to me, but I don’t want to make Theron uncomfortable.
Theron’s inscrutable violet eyes cut over to me, then to Solandis and Vargas. He bows deeply in front of Solandis. “I’m so glad you could make it. I know Arden has missed you very much.”
Solandis smiles and takes his hand in hers. “Thank you for inviting us and for honoring your debt. You’re more than I hoped for when I sent her to you.”
Theron gives her another bow before turning to Vargas. He holds out his hand.
I stop breathing and look at Vargas. None of the Fae have ever offered to shake his hand. Most Fae hate him because he took their princess away.
Vargas tilts his head, assessing the sincerity of the offer, then slowly reaches out to grasp Theron’s hand.
