Page 77 of Wicked Savior
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She smoothsdown the short silky blue dress. “What do you think?”
Her long legs are on full display beneath the very short scrap of fabric she’s wearing. “It’s terrible. Instead of looking at you, I’m going to be watching all the males around us. The color looks gorgeous on you, though.”
She laughs. “The color reminded me of your eyes.” The dress flares when she twirls. “It’s perfect for dancing after dinner with your family.” Nervous, she continues to look at the dress from all angles in the mirror.
I silently groan, knowing I’m going to be in hell on the dance floor. “It’s perfect. We need to go, or we’ll be late.” The magic word. Evren abhors being late.
Her eyes widen in horror. “Let’s go.”
When we arrive at The Abbey, a huge table is set up on the dance floor. Arden is standing there with her men surrounding her.
“Thank you for inviting us,” I tell her, leaning down to give her a kiss on the cheek. “You all remember Evren.”
“You look beautiful. I’ve never met a goddess before,” Arden remarks with a smile. “Do I curtsy or bow?”
Evren flashes her a puzzled look. “You’ve never met Theia?”
Arden glances at each of her men. All of them shake their head. “Who’s Theia?”
“I met her on the bottom floor during my last visit. She’s the goddess who created this sanctuary,” Evren explains to Arden. “I assumed you had met her.”
“Theia is the primal source?” Theron asks her. His violet eyes studying her intently.
Evren’s eyes move to him. “She’s a primordial god or goddess, here long before the god above, angels, and humans arrived. Her primary concern is protecting the supernaturals, but she was very helpful to me.”
I lean down. “Why is she allowed to stay on Earth?”
Evren shrugs. “She said something... ‘He cannot banish what was here before him.’ I guess his power only extends so far.”
Astor chuckles. “So you weren’t talking to yourself the day I found you?”
Evren returns his laugh. “No, but it’s not an uncommon occurrence. I’m sure you’ll see me talking to myself in the future.”
Daire and Arden’s eyes dart to me.
“Evren splits her time between Viridian and the Underworld, but she’s here to stay,” I tell them.
Daire offers me a glass of bourbon. “Evren, what can I get for you?”
She looks at my glass and shakes her head. “Wine, please.”
Arden waves a hand toward the table. “Daire usually doesn’t eat, preferring to drink his meal, and I know you both don’t eat, but I’m glad you joined us. It’s nice to sit down together as a family.”
Evren sits down at one of the chairs, and I grab the seat next to her.
“Are Meri and Solandis joining us?” I ask, taking a sip of my drink.
Arden’s smile disappears. “No. The Light Fae requested their presence early to determine if the Wild Hunt should be called.” She fiddles with the silverware by her plate. “I don’t like the idea of a trial.”
I frown. “The rules of the Wild Hunt are clear. They only interfere if magic was used to manipulate the transfer of power from one ruler to the next. In order for the Wild Hunt to consider the case, the Light Fae would need to bring evidence against Meri and prove she purposely, and magically, took control of the power to rule as Queen. She didn’t. I doubt they will consider it grounds for a trial. Did you talk to Cormal and Vargas?”
Her sigh of relief is heartfelt. “Thank you. I needed to hear that.” She takes a sip of water before continuing. “Cormal and Vargas are working on a plan.”
“Those two are the most stubborn and fierce fighters I know, and they’re not about to let Meri and Solandis go to the Light Fae without one,” I assure her.
She thinks about it for a second, then nods. “You’re right.”
