Page 74 of The Silent Mountain
“Our chaotic little witch,” Favian mutters.
“Yes,” Erin smiles. “She is chaotic. No one guided her properly, and she is clumsy, which isn’t really a trait witches usually possess, but she is also eager to learn, and she has spent her time in her old coven well.”
“Say, could it be a cult again?” I ask the room. “Aza and Shayan, in particular, think there is the possibility of it.”
“General Shayan,” Favian says. “He was inside the cult. If he feels there could be more to it, we should definitely look into it.”
“I agree with that,” Stefan says. “I can reach out to my contacts in other realms if that’s what my king wants.”
Favian nods. “Do so.”
“Stefan, please set up a meeting with my brother Flinn,” I say. “He is currently in the human realm, and apparently, things are off there, so I want to know if they are similar problems.”
Favian has his brows furrowed. His signature expression for when he is in deep thought.
“What’s worrying you?” I ask.
“I wonder if it’s contagious. I am talking about Barbara’s illness.”
We all look up at him, and I feel my stomach sinking to new depths.
“I would lie if I said the thought hasn’t crossed my mind,” Erin admits. “But if it’s contagious, then not by air, because if it were, then Frederick, Cassie or Ludwig should already be infected, and none of them are.”
“Yet,” Favian says.
“Damn,” Stefan curses.
“We need to consider this possibility,” Favian adds.
“I agree.” Erin frowns. “No one can get too close to Barbara, aside from the ones who already have, which would be me, Frederick and Ludwig.”
“What about Cassie?” I ask.
“I would like to keep her away from it,” Erin says. “As long as I don’t know what’s going on, and if it’s contagious, then I want to know she's safe.”
“The same goes for you, Your Highness and Princess Alana,” Stefan says. Before any of us can even protest, he shakes his head, a new look of determination and seriousness in his eyes. “The clan cannot lose its king and queen. I know this is not what you want to hear, but it would end the dragons for real if you perish. You are the only remaining golden dragon, Favian,” he says. “And, Alana is your mate, the only woman who can bear your children. Our future is in your hands.”
It's the first time I’ve heard him address Favian so informally, and he sounds almost gentle while doing so. It seems to strike something in Favian too, because eventually he nods. “I can see your point,” he says.
“What’s that part about only I can bear Favian’s children?” I ask. The others are silent, much to my surprise. “Wait, it’s true?”
“I didn’t want to pressure you into accepting me,” Favian admits. “But, now that you promised to stay, and I won’t let you go anywhere anyway, I can tell you the truth. Only the king’s true mate can carry on the bloodline. Another woman might give me children, but only you can give birth to a golden dragon. So are the rules set by our God, Aengus.”
My throat feels dry at his revelation, not because I don’t want children or don’t want Favian - I know I want both - but at the realization of the heavy responsibility that lies on me. That’s why the dragons see me as their symbol of hope, and why they were so excited to see me claim their king during the ceremony. It’s because only I can reassure them of their existence. “I need to sit down,” I mutter.
Favian takes my hand and leads me to a chair.
“They mean it absolutely when they say nothing can happen to me.”
“Yes,” Stefan says quietly.
“I don’t see it that way,” Favian says, taking my hands. “I want you to stay alive and with me for who you are because I love you. And if you never give me children, it won’t change my mind. I need you as my companion and queen, not as the person to bear my children. I wouldn’t want any other woman at my side.”
This man,Ros mutters,is going to make me all mushy.
Me too,I admit.
Erin looks happy after Favian’s speech, while Stefan tries not to be flustered. Poor guy, none of them are used to their king being so confident in his feelings. Ros is right. It’s really hot.
