Page 51 of The Dark Rises
“True,” I admit with a small smile, which she doesn’t return. I’m not going to lie, it hurts. All I’ve been focused on the last couple of weeks is getting stronger for her. I don’t understand why she doesn’t see it.
Theron strolls in dressed in his usual suit, although his tie is a tiny bit skewed. Arden, lips swollen, rushes in a second later, her hands smoothing down her shirt.
Ignoring the obvious, I motion to the table. “My father, Brixton, died. Aeris, my sister, is the only family I have left. Well, besides her daughter, I guess. I want to meet with her, but given my current status with the Phoenix, I’m not welcome there. So,we need somewhere neutral.” I turn and tap the map. “This area on the border of your land and the Autumn Court would be ideal.”
Theron and Arden step forward to peer at the map.
“From what we can tell, Southland Meadows runs right up to the border, and it looks fairly flat. What do you think?” I pause and wait for him to answer.
Theron thinks about it, but then nods. “It will work. Miles of sight line in every direction.” He turns his head toward me. “How many do you think she’ll bring with her?”
“I’m going to limit us both,” I tell him but look around at the others. “Meri, Madoc, Cormal, and I make four. Is there anyone else we should consider?”
Theron gives me a wry look. “My land. I’ll be there.”
Arden flicks a glance at Theron, then adds, “Me too.”
He stiffens the tiniest bit, but he doesn’t argue with her. She’s better in battle than most men, even if he doesn’t like her going. “Fallon, too.”
I take a deep breath, a little worried by the size of our group. “Okay, that’s seven of us. Still reasonable.”
Madoc shakes his head. “The Phoenix are damn hard to fight. I’m fine with limiting the number to seven, but I think we need another advantage. One they won’t see.” He looks at Arden. “Do you have any curare? Or another toxin that causes temporary paralysis?”
She opens her mouth to answer him, but I slam my fist on the table. “Absolutely not. This is supposed to be a peaceful meeting.”
Cormal holds up his hand. “The Fire Fae are at war with the world. Do you really think they won’t be taking the same precautions? Tell me, Rivan, are you planning to leave your sword behind?”
“Of course not,” I reply stiffly, understanding his point, but a weapon isn’t extreme. Poison is.
Frustrated, I stare down at the map. Maybe they’re right. I’m not sure. I used to instinctively know what to do, but that was when there was no doubt as to which side I was on.
Madoc leans forward. “I’d rather not kill them, but if you refuse to let us take the toxin, we may not have a choice.” His grey eyes are completely serious.
Maybe I should have gone alone. “Fine.”
Arden picks up her phone. “Let me text Astor. It’s his lab.”
Meri frowns. “How do you propose to get a message to Aeris? We don’t know where the Phoenix are hiding.”
“Actually, I do,” I inform her. “They moved from the old mines to the Gora Mountain. That’s where Brixton and I fought before he took my body to Avalon.” My mouth twists at the memory of all the Phoenix sneering at me as I walked through the tunnel into the mountain. “But location doesn’t matter because we use the fire network. I’ll send word, asking her to meet tomorrow. The less time we give them to prepare, the better.”
Everyone nods in agreement.
“Is there a fireplace here?” I ask Arden.
She looks up from her phone. “Yes, there’s one in the library. Also, Astor says we only have a small stash of curare here. Not enough for what we’re planning.”
Madoc pivots and heads toward the door. When he gets there, he stops, then returns to Meri. “I’m going to see Aamon. Be back shortly.” Bending down, he places a firm kiss on her lips. “Better?”
Meri’s turquoise eyes brighten with happiness. “Thank you.”
I peer at Cormal to see what he thinks of them kissing, but the faint smile on his lips assures me he’s fine with it.
Meri walks over to Cormal. “Are you okay? What happened earlier?”
He murmurs, “Later.”
She leans into him. “Okay.”
