Page 52 of Winter Queen
Others join his call, before falling silent. I can’t believe this is happening. The mood has turned and it seems that Flora’s story has moved them more than I would have been able to. The Morrigan killed one of their own, and if she did that, they probably think that they could be next.
“Thank you,” I say when the minute of silence is over. “As Flora said, we need to stick together in these times of trouble. Please come and talk to me if you have questions about how we can assist each other.”
I sit down and so does everyone else. It’s quieter now than before, with people talking to each other rather than shouting across the hall.
We had planned to get the orchestra to play after dinner, but I tell Tamara to wait with that. We don’t want the Gods to stop discussing the situation. That’s what they’re here for, after all.
Not far from Flora, Storm is standing with a group of Guardians, discussing something with a lot of gestures and nods. They’re all listening to him; I guess that’s a good sign.
I search for my other Guardians. Crispin is chatting with a dark-haired Goddess who’s at least a head taller than him. She reminds me of an Amazon, with her ebony skin and her lithe figure. A warrior Goddess, perhaps?
Frost and Arc are sitting in a corner with a group of female Guardians. Figures that they’d attract the ladies. Hopefully they’ll get some information out of this, not just flirting.
“Well played,” Apollo says suddenly, his voice cheery. I almost forgot that he was sitting next to me.
“This isn’t a game,” I reply a little too harshly. Well, excuse me, my father is a prisoner, my mother ill in bed, my Guardians about to leave on a dangerous mission.
“Everything is a game,” Apollo smiles. “The Morrigan has set the board and made her first moves, now it’s our turn to play. By the end of tonight, you should know who is joining us on our side of the board.”
“Our side?” I raise my eyebrows questioningly.
“Of course. Haven’t you figured it out yet? I’m the God of Knowledge, I know a good cause when I see one.”
He gets up and gives me another bow, a real one this time.
“Send my regards to your mother. I will be ready to assist should the need arise.”
I’m too stunned to reply, but he’s already walking away, down the dais and back to where he was sitting before. He takes a seat between two Gods, both of them dressed in earthy colours, their clothes a lot simpler than most of the others. I wonder who they are. One of them has an Asian look to him, but of course there’s no Asia in the Realms.
“Well done,” Tamara says from my other side. “I’ll add him to our list of supporters. Hopefully, others will join him before the night is over.”
Chapter Sixteen
“Stay safe,” I order them, making sure they know that it’s a command. They’ll have to obey it. Getting hurt isn’t allowed.
“Of course. We’ll be back before you know it,” Frost reassures me and takes me into his arms. I melt into his hug, breathing in his sea breeze scent.
Arc hugs me from behind, sandwiching me between the two Guardians. His embrace is hard and rough, like he doesn’t want to let me go.
“Brother, my turn.”
With a sigh, Frost steps back, letting Storm take his place. I fling my arms around his back and before I know it, his lips are on mine, kissing me hard, but just for a moment, then he’s gone, as is Arc. I feel terribly alone without their touch. The echo of their warmth is still on my skin, but I want nothing more than reach out and never let them go.
“Don’t die,” Storm tells me gruffly.
„Don’t you die either,“ I retort. “And bring back my father. And the Morrigan’s head, if you get the chance.”
“Aye, with pleasure,” Arc growls. “I’ll send Thomas a message as soon as we’ve reached Castle Tioram.”
Thomas is one of the Guardians with the same mental magic Arc possesses. They can communicate over distances, even though it gets harder for them if they’re not in the same Realm.
“I’ll let the guards know that he’s to be let into my chambers at all times.”
“Not into your bedroom,” Storm protests. “That’s ours.”
I sigh dramatically. “Please don’t start the her-boobs-are-ours debate.”
Arc and Storm look at me in confusion while Frost starts laughing.
