Page 13 of Moonlit Guardians
The words drift through my mind and I shake them away. Then I push open the doors to the hall. “It doesn’t matter.Too much has changed since then. All we can do now is move forward.”
King Galmer casts his gaze on me and smiles fondly. “Lady Fulthain. I’m pleased you decided to join us for the meeting.”
“King Galmer,” Aima and I both greet him.
“We are at an impasse as to what to do with the former Unseelie King, Theren. I move for an immediate execution. Many of the creatures in my protection have suffered greatly at his hands.”
Imatriat, the Wraith Warrior and leader of the Thradsaryl clan, stands up to support King Galmer’s decision. “Let us not forget the damage Theren did to The Veil, My Lady.”
I listen as each of them voices their opinions. To my surprise, some of the clan leaders are against King Galmer’s bloodlust where Theren is concerned. I look around as I address the room. “Theren was under the influence of the Midnight Queen and thus wasn’t acting of his own volition. Your own mages have spoken on his behalf… letting it be known that her power no longer holds sway over him. Theren has also vowed that his practices of taboo magic won’t be used within the walls of the Mercenary Stronghold unless he’s forced to defend himself and those who seek refuge here.”
“Will that be enough?” King Galmer asks, clearly believing the answer to be ‘no’.
I turn to him. “Theren has been punished by his own Unseelie forces for much longer than he’s been an enemy of the realms. I say he has more than atoned for his mistakes.” At that, the group before me begins to speak among themselves. Some in agreement and some not. “Theren is a victim of the darker powers that seek to destroy our worlds.”
“So, you defend a man who has slaughtered fae and burned down villages?!” Novak, King Galmer’s son, shouts. “How can we trust you when the power that grows inside you gets strongereach day? How do we know you, yourself, are not under the Midnight Queen’s influences?”
“Because I’ve risked my life for yours and all others who call the stronghold their home,” I reply boldly. “Anyone under Morrigan’s influences wouldn’t hesitate to kill everyone within these walls and claim their power. I can admit Morrigan convinced me she was innocent for a while, but as soon as I learned of her treachery, she lost my loyalty. Morrigan is the enemy here, not Theren and not me.”
Others murmur in disagreement, but they’re overshadowed by the clan leaders who stand up for me and pledge their loyalty to me and my cause. I’m touched and yet this show of unity overwhelms me. I’m not sure why.
King Galmer raises his hands and looks at each of the faces assembled. “I have reached a decision,” he says. Then he clears his throat. “After weeks of deliberation, let it be known that the words of Lady Fulthain have spared a life most would seek to condemn.” The response from the others is mixed, as is to be expected. King Galmer continues. “We shall look back on this day and ponder whether her mercy was a sign of strength or weakness.”
I bow my head respectfully and once given leave by the king, I hurry back to my room. Aima doesn’t join me, which is just as well. I want to be alone. Instead, she seeks out Pyre to discuss what he learned from Silvanus.
As to Pyre, I admit that my feelings for him have grown beyond that of a friend, but I don’t wish to come between he and Aima, if he chooses to pursue the love of his reincarnated mate. It was quite the shock when he announced that his one true love, who had perished so many years before, had been reincarnated in Aima. And much though I care and admire Pyre, I would never choose to stand between true love.
The door to my room swings open and I see Theren sitting on the edge of my bed.
“Word travels quickly through the stronghold, Eilish,” he says softly. “You’ve fought for me once again and yet we’ve barely spoken in over a week…”
***
THEREN
“I needed time,” she whispers softly.
I watch as she moves through the room slowly, pulling off pieces of her armor as she goes, not knowing that she carries my heart with her. She always has. My hands clench at my sides as I fight for control. The pain in my body from everything I endured still lingers and yet I hunger for her. For her love... for her touch. For her.
She turns to look at me and there’s a frown on her face. “What are you doing in my room, Theren?” she demands. “I told you we should take some time to catch our breath before we discuss anything.” She seems hurried, annoyed even.
“I don’t need to discuss anything, Eilish,” I say. “My love for you never diminished over the years I was under Morrigan’s spell.”
“Aima,” she starts but I interrupt her because it’s a foolish argument she’s attempting and she knows it.
“Aima... deep inside she always knew my heart belonged to someone else.”
“She did.”
Eilish’s answer surprises me, but it changes nothing. “I know I hurt Aima and I have every intention of making amends with her,” I start. “Butyouare the most important subject for me at the moment.”
“Me?”
I nod. “I sit and I listen to the whispers about you and they anger me.”
“What whispers?”
“The men in your company have often chosen to turn their backs on you because of something you can’t control... they don’t know your heart the way I do. They haven’t chosen to face an eternity in darkness to keep you safe.”
