Page 125 of The Silent Mountain
“Is this why you came in person?”
“One of the reasons,” he says.
I draw back, glaring at my mate. “You knew it, didn’t you?”
Favian smirks. “Of course.”
“My mate really knows how to keep a secret,” I chuckle.
Favian puts his arm around my shoulder and pulls me closer. “Was it a good surprise?”
“The best,” I reassure him.
“Actually, Endellion has some things he wants to discuss with us,” Favian tells me.
“I wish I could use this as a vacation,” Ende says, “but Favian is right. I have work-related issues to discuss. And I would like to hear what you found out about the cult. I have done my own research, but seeing how you were caught up in this whole ordeal, I need to hear firsthand what you know.”
Favian and I exchange a quizzical look, both of us curious as to what Endellion has planned. “Actually, this goes on par with my own desire to exchange information,” Favian says. “If you hadn’t come, I would have proposed a meeting soon.”
“I would like to invite you to take the discussion inside,” Stefan says. He has approached us while Ludwig handles the horses. Although he just sounded perfectly polite, I can see the anxiety in his expression.
Favian must have noticed it too, because he just shakes his head slightly. Unlike before though, he doesn’t comment on it and simply gestures towards the door. “Let’s go to my office. Maybe we could have some tea there.”
“I will have the kitchen prepare something for us,” I say. “Is it just you and Shayan, Ende?”
“Yes, my warriors voiced the wish to mingle with the dragon shifters and eat together with them,” Endellion says. “That is, if it’s okay with both of you.”
“Of course,” Favian says. “I appreciate the wish to get to know each other. Our people haven’t had the chance to meet each other a lot in the past.”
“I am all for strengthening our bonds as well,” I say.
While the others head to Favian’s office, I make a detour to the kitchen where I order something to eat for all of us and some hot beverages. On my way to the meeting, I bump into Shayan.
“Queen Alana,” he says. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Beta Shayan,” I smile.
For a moment, he just looks at me, his eyes study my arm and then back to meet my eyes. He doesn’t say anything, nor do I. He is the only one who truly understands what I lost and how hard it is to accept it sometimes. “I see, you didn’t give up fighting,” he says after a while. “Not that I thought you would.”
“It’s hard sometimes,” I admit. “But I am learning how to cope with it.” I gaze at his arm. Many years ago, he lost it in battle, but it got replaced by a well-crafted prosthesis. Favian told me I could have one too, if I wanted, but I wasn’t ready to make any decisions until now. “If you can make some time for me during your stay, I would be very grateful,” I say
His gaze softens at my words. “Of course. Anytime.” He offers me his arm. “Meanwhile, allow me to escort you to our meeting.”
forty
Plans
*FAVIAN*
Afteracoupleofhours, we are still sitting around my desk, discussing everything that has happened to us recently. We go through all the details: The war the werewolves fought, which was also against the cult and which they won thanks to Endellion and Azadeh. It’s the very same cult that had forced Elio to hide and me to be imprisoned for many years. They took years of our lives from us as well as our families. Then, Alana and I explain the recent happenings in detail.
“I never thought that the cult would have survived,” Endellion says. “Back then, when we attacked it, most of the members died. What do you think, Beta Shayan? You know the numbers.”
“Yes, I was inside the cult long enough to get a feel for the numbers, and you are right, my king, even if some escaped, there were definitely not enough to rebuild a base.”
“That’s why we think the head of the cult is someone else,” I point out. “The man Elio and Alana spotted when they were on the island.”
“The one with the mask,” Shayan muses.
