Page 33 of Immortal Alliance

“Kolvar of the Banefire Horde,” Kolvar says as he stands and pounds his fist against his left pectoral before taking a seat again.

“Hemoteph of the Olveroth.” A tall male with thick black hair stands up with so much force, his chair scrapes back. He eyes me with a cunning grin. And Dragan groans something that I can’t make out.

“Belroth of the Adamante.” The leader of the Adamnte clan is a large golem with luminescent blue eyes.

“Draken of the Mournblades.” I recognize Draken as a vampire immediately. Though he seems to be of a different sort than Baron, his mannerisms are similar to those of the former King of Death.

“Imatriat of the Thradsaryl.” My eyes nearly bulge out of my skull when a crowned spirit floats up. He looks human, aside from the ghostly transparency of his flesh and the tattered remains of his robes.

“And last but not least, my son Novak represents the Sunder’s Might,” Galmer says.

The other centaur at the table looks far too young to be a leader of any sort, but there’s a wisdom in his eyes that belies his age.

Galmer turns to me next and smiles. “I present to you, Lady Eilish Inoa Fulthain, daughter of Gildlorthoine, the lost King of The Succubae, and Maeline Fulthain, Healing Light of The Angels. Eilish is here on behalf of the Rebel Lords of The Vindication.”

I resist the urge to glare at Kolvar for informing the king of my parentage. For so long, my existence has been hidden, but now it seems like a power play and I’m not sure how I feel about that. The others in the room chatter amongst themselves for a moment and I sit up straighter in my seat. Dragan grips my hand beneath the table. I give him a small smile.

Dragan is then introduced and the king lifts his hand once more and silence falls on the Hall of Clans. “Eilish and Dragan have come here to ask for our aid in the liberation of theThrest. Many of us have heard of the horrors that take place in those marshes, so let us keep that in mind as we deliberate.”

I sit in silence as each clan leader presents their argument or their support. After hours of getting nowhere, I stand. Kolvar grabs my wrist and pleads with me to sit, but I refuse. This is my moment to try to persuade these men, and I’m going to take it. Calmly, I remove my arm from Kolvar’s grasp and face my audience.

“You all fight for one purpose or another, whether that be freedom for yourselves or the freedom of others. I’m not asking you to join us against the false king or to take on Morrigan and her followers. All I ask is that you help me free the fae who are currently being tortured and drained of their life forces.”

“It’s not so simple,” says Imatriat of the Thradsaryl. The wraith warrior’s voice sounds slightly distorted, but it booms through the chamber. “Any act to help the fae in Variant’s clutches is an announcement of war.”

“I understand your concerns,” I say. “But I believe we can accomplish this feat with stealth. After theThrestis destroyed, we can part ways if that’s what you please. But I implore you to consider becoming our allies, as Kolvar has done.”

“And whether you fight Variant now or later, eventually you will have to fight him,” Dragan adds. “Unless you’re willing to subject yourselves to his tyrannical leadership.”

“Never,” Galmer says.

I look at him. “The day for you to choose sides is coming and it’s coming quickly. You can join us in this quest only and free our fae friends from imminent death, or you can pledge yourselves to our cause and help us unseat the false king,” I continue. “The choice is yours.”

Belroth is next to speak. “What says the King of Shadows?”

Dragan stands without releasing my hand. Several of the males at the table glance down at our intimate touch and scowl. Clearly, they aren’t used to seeing women in positions of power. Well, it’s about time that changed.

“I am the King of Shadows,” Dragan says. “And I’m a loyal member of the Rebel Lords of The Vindication.”

“As is Cambion, King of Nature; Baron, King of Death; and Pyre, Guardian of The Veil,” I add.

“With Kolvar and Aima, our Unseelie ally, we are a powerful force to be reckoned with,” Dragan continues. “Variant and Theren have both come to realize that, and so will you.”

“We’ve heard of your necromancer ally. What makes you think we want any part in forbidden magic?” asks Draken of the Mournblades. “Even we vampires have limits regarding what we’re willing to subject ourselves to. Soul magic is frowned upon for a reason. It’s dangerous.”

Galmer raises a brow and meets my stare head-on. I nod to Dragan and he returns to his seat as I remain standing. My hands rest on the tabletop, and I lean forward to get a good look at the males around me.

“Whether you help me or not,Iwill lead an attack on theThrest,” I say, my eyes narrowing as I glare each one of them down. “Anyone who isn’t afraid to get involved in this fight is more than welcome to join us, but this isn’t a mission for the weak-willed. Only those with the courage to face Variant and Morrigan should stand with us.”

To my surprise, the clan leaders begin to stand, one by one. I can’t hold back my surprise and awe as I watch each one pledge himself and his people to our cause. After another few seconds, each person in the room is standing. Tears well in my eyes as each of them names us their allies. Galmer casts a fond smile my way, giving me the sense that he’s proud of me.

“You have earned the respect of the clans, Eilish. And we will stand by you in the liberation of theThrest.”

***

BARON

Jadyrar Sea

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