Page 11 of The Rowan's Stone
Astor scoffs at her. “Theron doesn’t know the meaning of help, only control. He’s a bossy motherfucker on his best day. We usually resist, but since you’re the one asking for his help and, consequently, ours too, we’re all handing him the keys to our lives until this is done. I probably won’t be able to jerk off without getting his permission.”
Valerian and Fallon only smile at Arden, while shaking their heads in agreement with Astor and Daire.
If rolling my eyes wasn’t such a pedestrian gesture, I’d show them what I think of their antics. I give them a hard stare and continue, “Based on a list Arden and I drew up, we need to assign some tasks and get started. First, the MacAllisters. Arden’s going to try and find any mention of the MacAllisters, and specifically, the MacAllister matriarch, in the archives at Witchwood. Unfortunately, sometime in the past, someone—we’re guessing Gemma Perrone—started a fire, and the early archives were mostly destroyed. Arden’s going to sift through the remaining records, including mundane items like council meeting notes, but it’s doubtful she’ll find much, if anything at all.” I turn toward Valerian.
“Valerian, we know MacAllister witches lived in your village and throughout your kingdom. We’re going to need to make arrangements to visit. How soon can you get this in place?” I ask.
He frowns. “There’s no need for everyone to visit. I’ll go and petition the elders for the information.”
“I’ll still need to visit. Some things might be hidden from dragons and only accessible to a witch, a MacAllister witch. If you could find out where they lived, it would help us narrow our search down to specific areas,” Arden explains.
“You’re not going to the Kingdom of Dragons, Arden. Did you forget the part where you were stabbed? And I don’t care if you’re immortal. Right now, I’m barely even tolerated in my kingdom. Do you think bringing home a witch, who’s also my mate, will make things any better? It will be akin to throwing gasoline on a roaring bonfire!” he fires back, his voice rising with every word until he’s shouting.
Jerking her hand from his, she narrows her eyes and slowly stands and leans over to get in his face. “First of all, you might be my mate, but you do not tell me what to do. Second, fix it. You should have done it ages ago. Don’t use me as another excuse to ignore your people. They deserve more than an absentee king. Your people need you. I need you. The cadre needs you. Find a way to fix it.”
“This isn’t something I can fix in a day,” he snarls back at her. “It’s going to take time.”
“Time isn’t a luxury we have much of at this moment. If we give the witches too much time, they’ll hang themselves with their old ways, and I refuse to let that happen,” she replies. “How about two weeks? One day to lay everything on the line, and thirteen days to fight your way to a solution? It’s all I’m willing to give.”
Frustrated, Valerian glares at her. He stands and peers down at her, frustration and anger warring for supremacy on his face. “You’rewillingto give me two weeks? How kind of you. It’s my kingdom. You need my permission to enter.”
“I highly doubt it. There are always pockets to slip in unnoticed.” She smiles, anticipating the challenge. “Vargas and Callyx often spoke about the lack of security in obscure places. I’m sure one of them has been to your kingdom and can shed some insight.”
Before Valerian can throttle her, I step into the discussion. “Valerian, she’s right—she has little time. Find a way. You don’t necessarily have to announce her as your mate, but we need to find the matriarch and your kingdom is our best lead.”
He runs a hand through his hair, tugging on the ends in frustration. “Fine,” he growls. “I’ll try to find a location so we can narrow the search. Maybe we can find a way to slip her in for a visit and back out before anyone notices her.”
“Great. Let’s continue,” I demand, waiting until they’re both seated before I continue, “Meri told Arden she picked up the founding witches’ book in the library of the dark Fae king. Only Fae can visit the library, which means I’ll have to go and search for any additional mention of witches or the MacAllisters. Given the vastness of the library, it will probably take a week. I’ll also check for any mention of the Rowan.”
“Can we trust Meri’s word?” Daire asks, his tone doubtful.
“Yes. She was only weird that one time, and it was because of Callyx. Long story, but apparently, they knew each other before I introduced them,” Arden responds.
“My gut says there’s more to her than she shows us, but I don’t know her that well,” he tells her. “If you believe in her, I’ll take your word for it.”
“Daire, based on our conversation earlier today, I know your father has requested your presence in the Underworld to handle a small uprising. While you’re there, can you check the libraries in the Underworld? Also, before you leave, I’d like to ask you to use your First Vampire power to try and compel Arden. I know she’s immune to other vampires, but given all vampires answer to you, I want to be absolutely positive she isn’t part vampire or demon. Sound good?” I ask, steering the discussion back to the tasks at hand. After he agrees, I turn toward Astor.
Astor cocks an eyebrow at me, waiting for me to assign him a task. “All right, lay it on me.”
“You and Fallon will be needed here to protect Arden, which means I need you to accompany her when she visits Witchwood to search the archives.” I keep my voice even but hard, knowing Witchwood is a trigger for him.
He stares blankly at me. “I’ll happily protect Arden and her delicious body,” he drawls suggestively, “but I can’t promise to behave around Caro or Cassandra or the rest of those…witches.”
Arden laughs at his response. His eyes cut to hers with a puzzled look, as if he’s trying to figure out why she’s so accepting of his nature.
“Arden, I’d like you to meet Fallon for training tomorrow. He’s going to take over training from Valerian and test your powers, if that works?” I ask, waiting for her to agree, then I finish up. “That’s it. We all have our assignments, and we’ll regroup in two weeks.”
Valerian stomps out, pissed at the plan and his part. Astor strolls over to watch Daire try to compel Arden. He communicates silently with Daire, and they laugh.
“Arden, I command you to kiss Astor.” Daire’s voice is husky when he states his demand.
For a second, she stands there staring at Astor’s lips, a smile appears, then she slowly leans over and pulls him closer. His eyes widen at her actions, but his head remains still. She kisses him lightly, then pulls his bottom lip into her mouth to suck on. Gasping, he grabs her hips and pulls her closer. She wraps her arms around him and draws him into a scorching kiss, a carnal combination of sex and sensuality and inhibitions left at the door. His scent of burnt cedar and sex mixes with hers, turning the air into something decadent. He groans when the kiss slows, and she gradually peels her lips from his.
I exhale slowly to dissipate some of the need pounding inside of me and turn to Daire and Fallon, a question in my eyes. Daire’s frowning, while Fallon is inscrutable as usual, but the heat in his eyes mirrors mine.
Daire’s voice is rough with desire when he questions Arden. “What did you feel when you were compelled?”
“Oh, I wasn’t compelled,” Arden replies airily. “I just felt like teaching all of you a lesson in manners. I decide who I kiss or not. Compelling me to kiss Astor was a joke to you, but not to me. It’s not a joke to you now either, is it? Get a little hot and bothered?” She smiles sweetly and strolls over to the door. “The good news…I’m not a vampire or a demon. As Prince of the Underworld, I imagine you can influence or at least sense both?” Leaning against the doorframe, she waits until Daire confirms. “Okay, then. What time are we meeting tomorrow?”
