It had been a while since he’d been at the border, and he could not help noting the difference between the dense greenery of his people’s forested land and the rolling hills and lush meadowed appearance of the Fae territory.There was a breeze that stirred the multiple styles of flowers and rustled the vibrant green leaves of the bushes.
“It is a shame it had to be under such circumstances,” Aodh clarified.
The group of ten behind her held tense expressions, and they each had long, curved blades sheathed on their hips and their wings fully on display.Unlike Iskah, their diaphanous clothing didn’t flow upon the wind around them since their clothing wound tight, one layer after another, around the limbs of their thin but lethal frames, allowing them to move unrestrained in battle.The group of Fae were as diverse culturally as his Thunder, their hue ranging from a rich brown to alpine pale.However, their pointy ears, striking beauty, angular features, and small height, compared to Drahks, Lupines, and Ursines, were a sign of their lineage.Their otherworldly beauty came with the package, making them irresistible to those weak in the constitution or with devious intent.The latter being some of the wolf-shifters.
Fae Queen Iskah’s plans to head to the wolves didn’t entail a friendly chat but to wage war—something Aodh couldn’t allow to happen.Even though Iskah was the judiciary of their preternatural council, he was actually the lead Alpha of the group.He rarely had a reason to wield his power.
“It is the Lupine who will feel the shame,” Iskah declared.
Edjer cleared his throat as the wind picked up, and more than a few tiny, swirling funnel patterns popped up within the Fae collective.
“What happened?”Aodh needed to ensure he possessed all the information to decide what would be best to keep the situation stable and not get out of hand.Typically, Iskah maintained a level head, which is why she was the council’s judge.
“The wolves, sneaky asses, entered our territory and took two of our young adult females under the cloak of night.”Iskah pointed an accusing finger at Aodh.“Did your people help them?Let them through?”
“Fuck no!”Aodh raised his palms to keep Iskah’s rage from becoming misplaced.He couldn’t be a hundred percent sure no dragon-shifter had stepped outside the bounds.However, he knew if he ever discovered someone, his dragon would rip the Drahk to shreds and set them on fire.“Are the young women still missing?”
Iskah shook her head.“A few hours ago, they came back.The girls said Chanin rescued them and ordered their safe returned.”
“I’m glad they are back.”He feared her answer to his next question.“Harmed?”
Iskah’s gaze met his.He saw in her eyes clear understanding of what he asked.
“They went under full examinations.There was some bruising, and the girls reported heavy talk about using them.However, the rogue wolves did not compromise the young females’ virtues.Chanin’s team got to them in time.”
“Thank the Great Spirit for that.”
“Look, we Fae sympathize with those shifters with breeding problems that keep their numbers low.”Iskah shot a glance toward his people behind him.“However, snatching up our women and attempting to compromise them will not be tolerated.”
Her words stung even if Kai’s claim had recently changed things for his people.“You’re right, Iskah.”
“Even if they returned the females, we deserve retribution since they were taken in the first place.”Iskah vehemently declared, her features tightly distorted and her fingers spread wide at her side as she raged.
Over her shoulder, Aodh noticed vines stretching and slithering along the flower bed, moving like snakes around the Queen’s bare feet as if ready to strike toward anyone at her command.He also became aware of the trees on his land rustling behind him.He refused to turn around to see if Iskah’s fury had called forth their branches to stretch toward him.
Fae had elemental connections that caused them to wield magical power in a way that could produce beauty or destruction with a flick of their wrist.
Aodh wasn’t concerned because the queen and all her court knew that the other entities understood Drahks were a force to reckon with.They were not only as big and strong as bears, just as fast as wolves, but their firepower was twice as deadly as the Fae could wield.Vampires were fast; if they caught a Drahk in human form unaware, they could drain them dry of blood, but if they shifted, the bat-kin fangs could not pierce their thick, leathery scales.And again, they had always had fire.
“Come, let’s discuss this.”Aodh moved away down a path to give them a place to speak freely without having to put forth a dominance game before their people.
“Stay,” Iskah commanded her warriors before she followed until they were a bit away—not out of earshot, since Drahk had excellent hearing and Fae had exceptional perceptions of others’ energy.Still, it was an indication of privacy, if nothing else.
“Iskah, I agree you have just cause to want revenge.However, let’s bring your anger down to a simmer for a moment and discuss what your show of force walking into the wolf territory would mean.”
Iskah gritted her teeth but still took in his words and relaxed her stance.
He could practically see her relax her muscles one by one.
She exhaled.“Alright.You may have a point.I was livid when we discovered them missing.We’d become too comfortable in our territory over recent years, and the girls, like many other young adult Faes, were out on an overnight foraging expedition.I’m pissed because it was almost a full day before the trainers discovered them missing.It took another day before we searched all the northern region and realized they weren’t simply youth who were out shirking their training.”
It didn’t take the three Venus fly traps that sprouted up around one of her feet for Aodh to understand this leader’s anger was not only directed at the wolves but more toward herself for not ensuring she protected her most vulnerable.If the situation had happened within his Thunder, his fury would have echoed Iskah’s.
“It is your land, Iskah.It has been your claimed territory for almost two decades.You and your people have a right to be comfortable and not feel threatened or set upon by any bond by the same treaty.”
“That’s right.”Frustrated, the Fae Queen ran a hand through her blue-turquoise strands.“But still...”
Aodh allowed her the silence to process her thoughts and emotions.
