Page 28 of Emergence of Fire

I unravel again, falling apart into a million pieces as he fucks me back together again.

CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE

ADRIAN

"Do you think it’s wise to continue your plans?” I ask Maddox. Torin and I sit with King Maddox in a modern conference room around a large white marble oval table. Television monitors line the walls right alongside ancient tapestries and weapons from a bygone period in Druid history. Each monitor watches one of the many portals in and out of Celestia where Druid soldiers are standing sentry. On second thought, I think it’s more of a war room with a hi-tech security twist.

Shifting anxiously, I try to avoid a squeak of the leather-bound office chair. I stare again out the window where Cordelia is training with Twyla. In the past few days this has been her routine. If she wasn’t with Twyla learning to control her fire, she was with us. Everyday we’ve tried and failed to get her to shift. Everyday brought us closer to the conclusion that maybe there was someone else meant to be in the picture. It frustrated me. It shouldn’t be possible. Then again, nothing about this entire situation should be possible.

Keeping my eyes trained on her, I wishing there wasn’t a wall between us. At least I am sitting, Gale has opted to stand and stare out at her with his back to us. Our need to protect her has only gotten stronger. Torin’s fingers tap the table as he listens to Maddox, his eyes shifting back and forth between the window and the king before us. Since the dinner days ago and the mysterious appearance of this faceless presence we’ve been on edge. Hence, my question. The last thing we need is hundreds of people descending on the palace. It would be a distraction and it screams disaster.

“I don’t see a reason not to. Cordelia is safe here, Adrian.” He places his hands on the table and sighs. “I know you, Torin, and Gale are protective of her. Hell, so am I. I understand the mate bond you share. It will only get stronger when she finally Emerges completely. This ball is crucial for our alliances that have been shaky for years. To see Arcadia with a Queen once again will heal a lot of wounds Thaddeus has inflicted. We’ve kept all the portals under constant surveillance and even the Mage Council is helping.”

“Mages and Druids don’t usually work together. What’s changed?” Torin leans forward and so do I. This is an interesting development. Mages and Druids share this realm but under an unstable truce at best. They usually stay out of each other’s affairs. A quick glance towards the window and I watch Cordelia as she rubs her hands down her jeans, shaking them out nervously. Her eyes close as Twyla circles her, instructing her to breathe and find her power. Cordelia’s hands light up instantly, the fire burning bright against the overcast sky. She opens her eyes and begins to jump around in excitement. It brings a smile to my face as I turn my attention back to Maddox.

“She is what’s changed. Look at what she’s accomplished in just a few days. Cordelia is calling forth her powers like a fire Mage. They are in awe of her. You know as well as I do that she shouldn’t be able to do this. Her time on Earth has changed her.” Maddox points to the window as if we haven’t already been paying attention to her this entire time.

“Thana knew her daughter was special. She knew that you all would find a way to make things right in Arcadia.” Maddox muses as he crosses the room and stands next to Gale. He is just as interested in her progress as we are. I can see the pride on his face as he watches his daughter with her.

“That was the last thing she told my mother,” Torin says. He closes his eyes, letting the memory come back to him. “Queen Thana told her that it would be up to us to fix this. How could she be so sure we can? Especially when we have good reason to believe that Thaddeus and the rest of the Barons aren’t acting alone.” He turns in his seat and waits for Maddox to reply but I have other questions burning to get answered.

“What about Vivyn? We haven’t seen her around the palace. I don’t trust her, Maddox. Is she working for Thaddeus? Your own daughter—”

“Yes, my daughter!” He cuts me off, his face burning red with rage as he reacts to query. Magic crackles around the room, chairs flip over, the windows rattle, and wind wreaks havoc ripping relics and tapestries off the walls. Then it all stops as suddenly as it started and everything rights itself, as if it never happened. Maddox walks toward the table as a chair flips upright and he takes a seat. He looks weary, the worry of the past few days is starting to show. Gale turns away from the window for the first time since we arrived and gives us his full attention.

“My apologies. I’ve had my suspicions for a long time. That final display of insubordination at dinner the other night was all the evidence I needed. Of course, she didn’t admit it. No, that’s not Vivyn’s way. One of her mates confessed to it all.” We all go silent. How’s it possible that Thaddeus has infiltrated the Druids? Not just any Druid, their supposed future Queen. All of this makes me more uneasy than I already am. How far reaching is he? Nowhere is safe.

“Vivyn is no longer your concern. She has been removed and placed under house arrest along with her mates. Twyla has resumed her role as my heir and I will announce it on the night of the ball.” Maddox gives nothing away as he looks out the window toward his daughter. His face saddens briefly but it’s gone as quickly as it appears.

“So, what’s the endgame?” Gale asks from his spot at the window. “We know he’s made deals with the Fae to stabilize Arcadia. We also know that the Fae were with him when they attempted to come for Cordelia on Earth. He has no power, so he wasn’t the one to level the house. Someone with immense power broke through Twyla’s protections. Thaddeus is not truly in control here.” Gale takes one final look out the window before he joins us at the table. My brother is worried. So are we all. There is more at play here.

“The Fae want to have the only Realm outside of Earth. They want to have all the power, forcing the rest of us to seek refuge on Earth with little to no magic at all.” Maddox finally answers after what seems like hours of silence. I’m up on my feet before I realize I’m moving. Angry at what is happening and the situation we are in. I feel like we have little to no control over anything. We are sitting ducks just waiting for the enemy's next move.

“And Cordelia.” I point toward our mate outside, her smile bright, her eyes dance with delight as she talks to Twyla. She has no idea what we are discussing, we’ve held too much back from her already.

“We need to tell her everything,” Torin says as he runs his hands down his face. He knows as well as I do that the conversation with her is not going to be easy.

“The truth is best. You should tell her now before she finds out without you.” We all look at Maddox as he steeples his hands and observes us.

“You forget her mother was my best friend. I know how the mating bond works. I also know she should have shifted by now in the presence of her mates. The fact that she hasn’t only means one thing. There is another.” He holds up his hands to stop us and continues.

“I have no idea how it’s possible. She needs to know. I know you’re thinking you are protecting her, but she is your Queen. She doesn’t need protecting.” Maddox stands.

“Security will be on high alert. The portals will be constantly monitored by Druids and Mages. We will make sure that no one can get to her. She is crucial to Arcadia’s survival, for all of our survival. Good day, gentlemen.” Maddox doesn’t say anything else and leaves the room, his robes billowing behind him as the door closes. Guess he was done talking.

“So, how do we do this?” Torin asks.

“Are you asking us?” I gasp, placing my hand over my heart in mock shock.

“She is our mate. Of course, I am asking the both of you.” He sighs in exasperation.

“I just want to point out, I told you we should tell her.” Gale throws his hands up and heads for the door.

“Where are you going?” I shout after him.

“The sooner we tell her the better. Besides, her lessons with Twyla are over. If she’s going to be upset with us, I would rather grovel on my hands and knees with my head between her legs.” He winks and leaves.

“I doubt sex is going to get us out of this one. It was not our intention to hold this back to keep this from her. We needed to be sure ourselves.” Torin gets up and stretches his body. We’ve all taken turns patrolling at night and it is taking its toll. He looks tired and worried. To be honest, so am I.

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