by Amy Sumida
“It seems to me that it would have been foolish to end a relationship with someone you obviously care about on the off chance that you could have one with someone else,” I said gently. “You spoke to me about how you felt and I told you how I felt. There was nothing dishonest or disrespectful about that. Neither of us has betrayed our loved ones.”
Drostan sighed. “Thank you for that. That's very kind of you.”
“Don't worry about it.” I laid my hand on his shoulder. “But how are you? You've barely had time to process what's happening. Are you okay?”
“I know the evidence points to Veri, but I don't believe it, Seren.” He cleared his throat. “I'm sorry, I mean, Your Majesty.”
“Forget the damn titles, Drostan.” I squeezed his shoulder and released it. “We're not at court.”
He smiled softly. “Very well, but only in private.”
“How will you prove her innocence?” I didn't try to talk him out of his faith in Verisande for two reasons: one, I wasn't sure if he was wrong, and two, I knew that if I were in his place, I'd feel the same way and I wouldn't appreciate someone arguing with me about it.
“I don't know,” he whispered. “But she has no one else on her side and I can't help but feel protective of her. I keep thinking that she's out there, trying to hide from the Hunt because they've mistakenly targeted her. She probably believes that I've turned my back on her as well. She must feel so alone. My poor Veri.”
“I will do everything that I can to help you.” I took his hand.
Drostan looked down at our joined hands, sighed, and let go. “I can't... I mean, of course, I will gladly accept your help, but I can't take your comfort, Seren. Not right now. It feels wrong and I've already made enough mistakes.”
“I understand.” I held my hands up and backed up a step. “You're right. I shouldn't have touched you.”
“No.” He reached out but then dropped his hand with a frustrated sound. “Damn, I don't know what to do! I care about her greatly but...” he looked at me. “I want you to touch me. Just not right now. I need to find Verisande and help her and then, after I've let her go honorably, I'll be free for you to—”
“Drostan,” I cut him off, “things haven't suddenly changed. I'm only offering you friendship.”
“I know that you haven't changed your mind. But I haven't changed my mind either. You may offer your hand to me in friendship, but my heart races when I take it and that feels dishonorable right now.”
“Drostan, if we do find Verisande and prove her innocence, I urge you not to end things with her. It will be for nothing.”
“I believe that about as much as I believe that Verisande is the head of a drug cartel,” Drostan declared. “Danu touched me. Perhaps she hasn't called on you as yet. Perhaps she's waiting until I am free to go to you. I don't know why I feel these things when you don't. But after being so long away from her reach, Danu has welcomed me home in a most wondrous way. I ran from her in fear, but I'm ashamed of that now. So, I'm determined to keep my faith in her. I will trust our goddess to call you to me eventually and until then, I will make the way clear for us.”
A throat cleared and we both turned guiltily toward the sound.
“I think you'd better step away from my wife.”
Chapter Forty-Four
“Kill,” I whispered in horror. His name almost sounded like an order so I quickly added, “This isn't what it looks like.” I rolled my eyes. “Sweet Danu, can I be any more cliché?”
“I heard enough to know exactly what this is,” Killian said as he stepped forward, fury radiating off his tense body in waves. “I know you weren't encouraging him, babe. Which makes him look even worse.”
“You're married to a queen of Fairy, Ambassador,” Drostan said calmly. “You don't have the right to be angry about another man attempting to court her.”
“Excuse me?” Killian growled.
“Queens are entitled to have consorts,” Drostan clarified.
“Only if their husband—or in my case, husbands—agree,” I countered.
“That is not entirely accurate,” Drostan said with a gentle look my way.
“What the fuck does that mean?” Killian snarled.
“A queen will usually give her husband the courtesy of consulting him before she takes a consort,” Drostan explained. “But it is her right to take one or more consorts, even should her king disagree. In fact, it is her duty.”
“Excuse me?” I growled, sounding like Killian.
“As a queen, you are required to produce as many heirs as possible,” Drostan explained. “I'm sorry, Your Majesty, I didn't want to be so indelicate with you but since I'm forced to defend myself, I must. I believe there is a reason Danu has called us to be together; you are meant to take consorts.”
“What the fuck nonsense is he spouting, Seren?” Killian stared at me in bafflement.
“I'm not sure,” I murmured to Killian as I stared at Drostan. To Drostan, I added, “I've had four children, more than any queen has ever produced. I don't think Danu would require more from me. In fact, she specifically told me that she wouldn't be interfering in my life any further. Which is yet another reason why I don't believe we were called together.”
“I'm merely guessing.” Drostan held his hands out in a gesture of surrender. “I can't speak to the Goddess' true intentions. But I have done nothing wrong in pursuing a relationship with you. And you have done nothing wrong in considering it.”
“I'm not considering it, Drostan,” I said firmly.
He did the hand thing again.
“You slimy son of a bitch,” Killian snarled at Drostan. “You brought us here under the premise of helping us when all along, you've been after my wife.”
“That's not true, nor is it fair,” Drostan said calmly. “My offer of hospitality and help was made with the best of intentions. Did I want to be around her? Yes, of course, but that's not a feeling I can control.”
“I'm going to flatten your face, you motherfucker. You won't be able to control that either,” Killian announced just as calmly and then shot forward.
“Killian!” I jumped between the men and grabbed my husband. “He believes Danu has called him. To him, that means he's been given free rein to pursue me.”
Killian growled but stepped back. “She said no!” he pointed in Drostan's face as he shouted. “I heard her. But you didn't. You refused to listen to her and that is not within your rights. In fact, it sounds an awful lot like treason to me.”
I went still.
“It is not treason,” Drostan argued. “Not when it's the Call of Danu.”
“Bullshit!” Killian snarled.
“He's right,” Raza announced as he strode into the room.
“What?” Killian turned toward Raza in shock—we both did.
“The Call of Danu takes precedence over everything,” Raza said grimly. “Love, marriage, loyalty. It must be answered. If it's not, it will only grow stronger and hurt those who have been called. As Seren's husbands, we are honor-bound to accept it if she should be called to be with another man.”
“Raza, no,” I whispered.
Raza spared a soft smile for me before continuing, “However, the Call does not create consorts. If this is the Call—and seeing my wife's reactions to you makes me doubt that—Seren would go to you with the sole purpose of conceiving a child. Once conception occurred, your relationship would be over.”
“If we chose to end it,” Drostan said.
Raza nodded in concession. “Yes, that would be up to Seren and you... and her husbands, if she should choose to include us in that decision. But that is all moot because I do not believe that you have been called, Baron Drostan.”
Drostan started to protest, but Raza raised a hand and stopped him.
“You have been of great help to us and now are going through a terrible loss,” Raza said. “For those reasons, I'm inclined to be merciful with you. I believe you are deeply attracted to my wife and the way she has
seemingly come into your life after you last saw her in Fairy, combined with the tragedy of your lover's betrayal, has made you see things that aren't there. Your need to find something real to cling to has turned you toward Seren and the situation is making you even more determined in your suit. I understand that and I will forgive it. But you will cease this pursuit of my wife right now or suffer my wrath.”
“And if it is the Call of Danu?” Drostan asked.
“If it is Danu who has drawn you two together, we will not stand in your way,” Raza confirmed.
“Speak for yourself,” Killian snapped.
“Killian, you are married to her because of the call,” Raza reminded him. “You have created a child with her, as required. You cannot rebuke the Call of Danu now.”
Killian's shoulders slumped and he looked from Raza to me.
I went to Killian immediately and took his face in my hands. “But I can,” I declared. “I've done it before, haven't I?”
“And look how that turned out,” Kill grumbled but he did it with a grin.
“I'll have more help this time. Besides, I agree with Raza—I don't think this is the Call of Danu. Sure, I find him attractive and I even like him as a person, but I'm not feeling that overwhelming need to be with him.”
Killian grinned, then looked over at Drostan. “You heard her that time, right?”
“You misunderstood me from the start, Prince Killian.” Drostan lifted his chin. “I heard and acknowledged her rebukes, then I told her that I would wait. I wasn't trying to force anything on your wife. I'm not a savage.”
Raza looked at me for confirmation.
“He's telling the truth,” I said to Raza before I looked back at Killian. “He did say that, Kill.”
“He said he was clearing the path for you to be together,” Killian protested.
“He meant with him and Verisande,” I said gently. “Drostan feels that it would be dishonorable to court me when he is still involved with her. He wouldn't even let me hold his hand in comfort, Killian. I know you're upset, but try to see past that, please. Drostan is not a bad person, just mistaken.”
“You tried to hold his hand?” Killian grimaced at me.
“I was trying to comfort him about his possibly traitorous girlfriend,” I huffed and pushed away from my husband. “Damn it, Kill, give me a little trust.”
Killian's grimace faded. “Sorry, babe. You're right. I do trust you.” He glanced at Drostan. “It's him I'm not so sure about.”
“Killian, Drostan said he was going to trust Danu to bring us together. That wasn't a seduction you heard but a withdrawal.”
Killian made an annoyed face.
“It sounds as if we may have overreacted,” Raza said uncomfortably.
“No, you haven't,” Drostan said and sighed. “I would have behaved the same way if I were you. And perhaps you're right, King Raza. Perhaps this is all merely in my head—a reaction to strange events. But I don't think so. I felt the Call in Fairy and I left the realm immediately to avoid it. Then I walked into a restaurant in my home town and there you all were.” Drostan shook his head. “I felt it lance through me again—this... ache. As if there was a void in my chest that only she could fill. I decided to approach you and see what happened. And here we are.”
Raza scowled and looked at me. My confidence wavered. What Drostan described was very like what I'd felt when I was called to my husbands. Judging from the look on Raza's face, it was similar to his experience as well.
“Are you certain that you don't feel anything for him, mo shíorghrá?' Raza asked.
“I feel...” I frowned and glanced at Drostan. “I mean, he's a beautiful man and I think he's honorable as well but do I want to rip his clothes off and make a baby with him? No, not so much.”
Raza chuckled even as Drostan looked disappointed.
“I'm sorry, Drostan, I just don't feel the same.”
“I understand, Your Majesty.” Drostan bowed stiffly. “I hope this doesn't make things too awkward between us.”
“No, of course not,” I said gently. “I still very much want to be your friend.”
Drostan's jaw clenched—being put in the friend-zone is never easy to take—but he nodded. “Please don't think you must leave now. I would hate myself if I thought I'd driven you away.”
“We will stay and see this through,” Raza spoke for all of us.
Killian grimaced but stayed silent.
“Very good. If you'll excuse me.” Drostan started to leave.
“Baron Drostan,” Raza stopped him.
“Yes, Your Majesty?”
“I've obviously felt the Call of Danu before and I know how hard it can be to live with,” Raza said. He looked over at me to add, “It's a need that never lessens. A longing that's soul deep.”
I smiled softly at my dragon.
“Yes,” Drostan whispered.
Raza looked over at him. “If that is truly what you're experiencing, I'm deeply sorry to doubt you and belittle it. But until Seren feels it too, it's not the Call of Danu. Danu never calls upon one fairy alone. What would be the point of that?”
“Thank you,” Drostan's tone warmed. “And you're right, King Raza, the Call always affects two fairies. I don't know why it has only struck me. I can't comprehend it. Perhaps she is trying to draw me home.” He shrugged. “Whatever Danu's reasons are, I must endure this until she makes herself clear. I'm not a weak man; this won't break me.” His gaze went to my face. “No matter how much it hurts.”
Drostan walked away with his back straight and his chin lifted.
Chapter Forty-Five
Lord Hunter Shawn Nightblade and his team returned the next morning. The hunter who'd been guarding the house reported no activity, but Nightblade looked even grimmer than before.
“May I speak with you privately, Baron Drostan?” Nightblade asked.
Drostan hesitated.
“The royals may accompany us if you wish it,” Nightblade offered.
Drostan nodded crisply and led us back into the library we'd used before.
“What's happened?” Killian asked as soon as the door was shut.
“Margaret Walsh has provided us with the name,” Nightblade said.
“You know who owns Ubaig?” I asked eagerly.
“Yes.” Nightblade looked at Drostan. “It's Verisande Osag.”
Drostan blinked. He sat down woodenly and stared ahead blankly.
“I'm sorry, Your Excellency, but this is irrefutable proof,” Nightblade said.
“Yes, I understand,” Drostan whispered.
“We have come up with a plan to draw Verisande out and were hoping that you would assist us,” Nightblade went on.
“What was that?” Drostan looked up in a daze.
“Will you help us catch her, Your Excellency?” Nightblade asked more pointedly.
I went to sit beside Drostan. I didn't touch him, just sat there, but he gave me a grateful look. His expression hardened as he shifted it to Nightblade.
“Yes,” Drostan said. “What would you have me do?”
“Thank you, Your Excellency,” Nightblade said with some relief. “We've learned that there is a gala planned for tonight at the Museum of Contemporary Art. You are a patron, correct?”
“Yes.” Drostan frowned. “I have an invitation. Veri and I were... supposed to attend.”
“Yes, we know.” Nightblade sat down on a chair near the sofa that Drostan and I were seated on. “We've contacted the museum and the guests and have arranged for our people to take the places of the waitstaff and guests. The Councils, Coven, and Caster Witches are working together on this.” He gave me a suspicious look. “The issues between the Councils seem to have vanished overnight.”
“I might have had a word with High Councilman Timberstride last night,” I admitted.
Nightblade chuckled. “Yes, well, we are now cooperating with each other fully. There will be extinguishers and vexes in addition to hunters there tonight.” He looked at D
rostan. “And, we hope, you will attend, Baron Drostan.”
“You think that Verisande will show up at the gala?” Drostan asked in surprise. “Why?”
“You said yourself that you had intended to go with her,” Nightblade reasoned. “We're hoping that Verisande remembers the gala and takes the opportunity to contact you. It would be a smart move. There will be a crowd of people who she would be able to hide among and move through easily.”
