Page 83 of Cryptic Dreams
My brow lifts as he grins in my face.
“There is a divider. Declan will see nothing once the screen is raised.”
“How, exactly, would that work, hmm? There’s a ton of legs between the two of us, honey. That backseat isn’t really big enough, is it?”
“Where there is a will, there is a way. And I’m thrilled that you’re already thinking logistics.”
I giggle because I can’t help myself. “I really do love you.”
“And I, you, my gentle breeze. I love you with all that I am.”
With one more sweet kiss, Wraith confirms what I already know before returning his face to my neck and leaving it there for as long as he can.
I doubt any of this is on the list of how you’re supposed to act at a Great Counsel meeting, but I don’t care. I couldn’t care if I tried honestly, because, though it may not be in the way he intended, Wraith is claiming me as his mate, ashiscompletely with this simple act and that alone is worth whatever repercussions may come from throwing caution to the wind.My mateis claiming me for all the world to see and I couldn’t be happier than I am in this moment because of him.
22
Shit Show City
ZEPHYR
I’m not going to lie, I had bigger expectations for this meeting.
Atticus came back about twenty minutes after he and Hans disappeared, and Drusilla was with them but very obviously intoxicated, just as Wraith said she’d be. They did that weird silent conversation thing, the three of them talking about something that no one else could hear, but my mate heard every word and filled me in.
Apparently Drusilla and another high ranking noble were up in the balcony together, alone, and when Hans went to find her in order to start the meeting, they were engaged in quite the ordeal. Anoralordeal by the sound of it, and once the High Elder’s top enforcer discovered the would-be queen on her knees in front of him, well, that noble hasn’t been seen since.
My mate explained that this is essentially par for the course when it comes to his parents. Wraith told me that the two of them—though once almost happy in their mating because fate made it so—now barely tolerate each other and the fondness they shared was quickly replaced by his father’s harem of concubines and his mother’s affinity for the servants around the castle. As time went on, their love was completely consumed by hate but the bond was still enough to keep them together, cemented by the power and position they held then and do now. After so many centuries they’re accustomed to each other’s infidelity and while Drusilla acts out against it by bedding the same people her mate does, Atticus generally has them killed for even trying to get into his queen’s panties.
I can almost appreciate her line of thinking on that. Find out who her mate is sleeping with, sleep with them too and poof, they disappear because Atticus can’t stand the thought of Drusilla having sex with anyone but him. Even though, according to Wraith, the last time they most likely engaged with each other was when he was conceived.
So messed up.
After Drusilla was deposited on her throne, the bellman announced the twelve other members of the Great Counsel and their mates if it applied, then announced Wraith and I, to which the entire room went completely silent. Everyone just stared at us, stared at my mate specifically like he’d grown a second head out of his ass or something, then moved on as if they hadn’t just learned that the heir apparent found his mate and was living blissfully in our bond. A bond that could lead to unlimited power, young, and a plethora of problems for the current leader of their perfect little empire. Something made abundantly clear by the thoughts that began pounding in Wraith’s head before they filtered through to mine.
Not everyone is a fan of Atticus but he’s the devil they know, and since the Great Counsel is probably on the same page as the High Elder when it comes to suspecting his involvement in all sorts of things, Wraith was suddenly a hot topic in the grey matter of those twenty some members sitting with us. And most of it was incredibly negative.
So, that was fun.
I thought for sure once the crowd settled they’d get into the events that took place at the nest not so long ago, the reason for this entire meeting from what I understood, but instead, the High Elder and his mate were announced and Tiberius—the keeper of laws and the one who essentially runs these things until Atticus has to get involved—started in on some pretty boring shit.
Code enforcement. Reminders for various things the VSUST has brought to his attention. Reviewing the most important human laws we have to abide by. Tiberius then moved onto grievances where the packed house voted on several things, silly things I didn’t think would actually come up during a meeting like this after all the pomp and circumstance.
Do we want a new vampire bakery in the French Quarter? How do we handle the young that are tagging the sides of vampire businesses? Do we need to consider building a second high school for vampire students since the old one is too full and in need of repairs?
It’s been like any other town hall meeting honestly, and while I’m still glad I get to be here for it, I’m wondering when the hell they’re going to get to what happened at the nest and start on the real nitty gritty of the goings on.
“You’re starting to sound like me, love.”
I glance at my mate with a smile as he toys with my fingers. “Because I thoughtgoings onor because I’m bored out of my mind when I thought something interesting was bound to happen?”
“Both.”Wraith lifts my hand to his lips and nips at my fingertips. “The phrase was adorable but I find your lack of interest even more so. My scholarly mate who is actively learning about our government in all forms is practically bored to tears because they’ve yet to discuss my many crimes against them.”
“Not that I want them to get up and start shouting about how you’re a treasonous usurper of the crown or anything, but I thought maybe we’d at least learn something…”My thoughts fade as several doors I didn’t notice before open all around the hall, the vibe in the room changing immediately when they do.
Dozens of extremely naked men and women flood the main floor and start walking down the center aisle, slipping into rows of seats, some even going as far as to straddle certain nobles who look all too eager to accept their offers.
Oh boy.
