“When Prism Wizard Severin Porfyra-Dewitt oversaw the Consilium, Their Majesties sent weekly missives to him asking questions, Chieftain. As you’re no doubt aware, he was not truly in charge, and those letters were kept from him by a series of advisors appointed by the now-deceased Jael Giles. Since the government shifted into the hands of the seven men who call themselves the Giles Tribunal, the Office of the Emperors has continued the practice of sending queries. They have received no answer. We always have sentinels on the land owned by the Consilium Veneficus, but information about the Sprite Grove has proved elusive. It is not a topic discussed, which doesn’t allow us to overhear anything,” Alaric commented.
“Your Majesties, I would like to create a petition, and I encourage my fellow chieftains to sponsor it. That would free us to approach the near-genocide of the Sprite Grove directly. My suggestion is that the tribes come together and hold a press conference demanding that the Giles Tribunal answer for the crime. It is my hope that the Warrior Chieftain, Noble Protector, and Protector, along with both of you, would also attend the press conference. We have allowed this subject to fall into obscurity, and it was a grievous error by this Council,” Chieftain Zamderyth of the Sae’Varis tribe stated.
“The Court of Draconis will cosponsor your petition, Chieftain,” Ellery responded. “Anyone else who wishes to be included should contact Chieftain Sae’Varis within the next twenty-four hours.”
Proud that at least something would happen which might help the Warrior Chieftain in getting answers, Rorie grinned at Renny as the emperors moved on to the next topic on their agenda. While he was not a leader, that didn’t mean he was incapable of serving the Council.
Chapter 35
Renny hadn’t realized how stressed he was until after things returned to normal in his life. Without the anvil resting above his head about how his wants and needs would ever mesh with Rorie’s, Renny was content to enjoy his world again. Fate had given him an extraordinary mate who had taken to the D’Vaires as if he’d been a part of the family from the start.
Although Renny had asked Rorie a hundred times if he wanted to do anything to their room to make it unique to them instead of the design he’d chosen with Larissa’s help, the fairy refused to consider it. Insisting that he was crazy about the beautiful colors, Rorie also loved the wands, and the overall comfort of their surroundings. Since he preferred not to unduly annoy Rorie, he’d stopped bothering him about it, but Renny begged him to speak up if he ever wanted any changes.
Rorie’s only comment was that if Renny were to appear naked more often in their space, he would be pleased. Their lovemaking might’ve been quick, but Renny was one to savor, and despite Rorie’s demands during sex, he prolonged it as long as possible. In the end, they were both deliriously happy, so he supposed it was working out fine despite the way Rorie liked to hop onto his lap and demand satisfaction immediately.
Living with Rorie was a constant stream of impulse, and Renny adored it. It was always a guess how he’d be dressed—especially now that he and Larissa scoured the internet together for fabrics and clothing that Rorie wanted to wear. Some days he was in his onesies, others had him in his Fae finery, and that morning he’d tugged out a pair of navy polka-dotted shorts which he paired with a white T-shirt depicting a glittery image of Orlami and Zurenzi on it. On his feet were matching spotted flip-flops, and Renny loved that he wanted to show off as much of his painted skin as possible.
Drekkoril appeared scandalized at the amount of flesh he was showing, but Rorie reminded his bemollo that it was traditional attire within the Council. The Noble Protector had agreed but declined to don shorts or T-shirts himself. Instead of Rorie’s choices, Drekkoril swapped between wearing his Faedrekanskin and elven tunics and pants. It was his wish to honor both his former people and the ones he considered his kin. There were even some sprite things scattered through his wardrobe, thanks to Tiri’s Textiles, which he first wore at the press conference arranged by Ellery.
The chieftains of every tribe had flanked Kitlivri as he’d demanded that the Giles Tribunal give them the information they sought about what happened to the Sprite Grove. To everyone’s astonishment, they received a letter from the leaders of the rival government. In it, they did not get what they wanted. Instead, the seven wizards stated that they would not tolerate intruders on their land. They accused the Sprite Grove of unlawful acts while they squatted in a place they were unwanted. The Giles Tribunal had infuriated everyone when they added that the termination of Kitlivri’s people was just.
Alaric vowed to step up the presence of the Sentinel Brotherhood around the new seat of government the Giles Tribunal was constructing and refused to accept that he wouldn’t have the chance to make sure the person or persons responsible would pay for what they’d done. Although the Consilium Veneficus was building some kind of defense, thanks to King Variusdraconis, they were no match for the sentinels.
The lone dragon court that hadn’t migrated to the Council would have its hands full trying to police and protect the thousands of wizards, and Renny was sure that at some point there would be a reckoning. Although Renny hoped a war didn’t erupt, he was prepared to throw his magic into the fray if that day arrived. For now, the emperor’s advisory panel, with its two newest Fae additions, was planning a series of letters to the Giles Tribunal to entice them to offer more information.
When he wasn’t involved in Council business, Renny had returned to his work of reviewing the applications of their sanctuary and doing whatever possible to promote Elven D’Vaire so they’d find someone interested in joining instead of a single candidate who’d decided on another path. It was something Drekkoril and Rorie had immediately added to their list of things they wished to be a part of. Every tribe involved hoped that with the Fae throwing their voice into the advertisements, they might break fifteen thousand years of isolationism and convince the elves who felt displaced to seek a home where they would be fully accepted.
Sitting in front of the computer with Rorie and Drekkoril, discussing that very topic in the small conference room which was a part of the Coven of Warlocks’ working suite, Renny hit delete on yet another piece of junk mail. It was frustrating that they hadn’t been able to add anyone new to either sanctuary since Magister Duke Jeremiah D’Vairedraconis came to live with them, but Renny lacked the ability to force people to apply to Dra’Kaedan’s Coven or Elven D’Vaire whether he liked it or not.
“Where’s Dra’Kaedan?”
At the female voice, Renny jumped in fright and whipped around to see Klodjana standing alongside her mate, Bryjelni.
“Shit, you scared me,” Renny said, his hand automatically flying up to his chest as if he could somehow have a heart attack.
“Sorry, I was looking for Dra’Kaedan.”
“I don’t know where he is. Did you need him urgently?” Renny asked, fishing out his phone.
“It’s not like anything’s wrong, but it would be awesome to talk to him,” Klodjana replied. “Are you texting him?”
“Yeah,” Renny responded, pulling up his warlock his thumbs raced over his screen.
Where you at?
In the house, why?
Klodz is looking for you.
She okay?
Nothing’s wrong, she wants to talk to you for some unknown reason.
Why is it unknown?
Renny rolled his eyes and took a moment to decide how to respond.Oh, I don’t know…I guess because it’s you she wants to talk to and not me.
I mean, can it wait a few minutes? I’m busy right now.
