Chapter 35

When you’re running on no sleep for too long, even a three-hour nap could feel like eight, I concluded as I went around another corner in the hallway of the underground chambers. I paused again and checked the map on my phone. Despite wanting to be assigned here for years, now after almost getting lost twice, I was very happy I hadn’t been.

I peeked in a door to see it was the dining room. Several of the women were already seated at the large table.

“Ah, that feeling of victory when you navigate the hallways successfully.” Alona quipped.

I went straight for the coffee urn. Normally I was all about green tea, but today felt like it was going to be a coffee kind of day. “I am thankful for the map.” I told them as I poured a cup.

“It was interesting making it.” Paisley said with a yawn.

I nodded and sat down a few chairs away from her.

“Seriously, none of the others?” Daxx asked with a confused look on her face.

I watched the women shake their heads, all looking amused.

“I’m sure I would have noticed something like claws.” Alona said with a smirk.

“I call Arius beast, but not because of claws.” Paisley shrugged.

Daxx sighed, “it only happened that first time, but still…”

Mitz stood in the doorway holding two plates. She stopped and stood there. “Who has claws?”

Everyone looked at Daxx.

“Troy.” Daxx said in a quiet voice.

“Oh.” Mitz set the plate in front of Crissy then went around the table and put the other in front of Autumn. “I only know of one other that had them.” She grinned, “scared my sister so much that first time.” She nodded. “Ancient ones say it’s the sign of the creator of twins,” she paused, “or something like that.”

Everyone watched her walk out of the room, then jerked their heads to look at Daxx, openmouthed.

Daxx set her cup down. “That’s dumb.” She scowled, “what does one have to do with the other?” She stood up, “I’m dealing with this right now. Even if I have to have him declawed.” She ported out.

“Well then.” Alona cleared her throat. “That’s…”

“Yeah.” Bethany nodded.

I felt like that was a discussion I could have lived without hearing. “Where is everyone?”

“Having a pre-breakfast meeting before the meeting.” Kara said with a yawn. She motioned around the table, “we were invited but it was too early for me to listen to all of them.”

Reagan nodded. “Quinton said it would be the bunch of them all suggesting things that no one else would agree to, but he went anyway.”

“Oh. I see.” I took a sip of the coffee and regretted my choice immediately. I set the cup down and leaned on the table. “I’m looking forward to meeting people from the other realms.”

“I can’t wait.” Crissy piped up. She nodded and took a bite of her toast.

“I just want to find Arwan and shut him down for good.” Autumn looked around the table.

“Amen to that.” Alona said softly.

~

I stood beside the thrones where the women were all standing.

“They’re sending their strongest.” Crissy said, the excitement on her face quite clear.

“I wonder what that looks like.” Bethany mused.

“I’m just glad we don’t have to be all dressed up.” Daxx nodded, tucking her hands in her back pockets.

“Chase said this wasn’t the time for formal showcasing.” Alona sat on the platform the thrones were on.

“I just want to get there and get it done.” Autumn glanced over at Michael.

“All of the guys have already been there.” Paisley said, “so they could port everyone else over.”

“I think they just wanted to see it to come up with some sort of plan.” Reagan said.

“Leone said it was carved under the snow.” Bethany whispered. “I don’t know how I feel about being deep under the snow.”

“Vic says the people from other realms will help our safety and success.” Crissy got up off the floor. “Elders are here.” She moved around me and went over toward her mate.

I turned to watch the elders file into the room. They were in their black robes, and all wore somber expressions. I blew out a breath and jerked my chin toward the table. “I’m going to sit. The vibes in here are intense.” I hurried over and took the chair where I could see the door clearly.

Emil made fast work of coming over and sitting down beside me. He leaned on the table, so he was close to me. “You haven’t fed.” He said in a hushed tone.

I shook my head. “Not yet.” I held his look, “I’m good so far.”

He nodded his head slowly. “You will once this has concluded.” He leaned to sit in his chair properly.

I turned my head and spoke into my shoulder, “you know this mate, no mate dance is getting annoying.”

Emil turned his head and looked at me, amusement on his face. His eyes flicked to the amulet I was wearing. “I couldn’t agree more.”

Ira came into the room and nodded to Rafael.

“Everyone ready?” Rafael went over and sat beside Kara.

Troy stood beside where Daxx had sat down. “Elder Landry, if you would.” He motioned to the door.

The elder with the gentlest expression of all the elders stood up. “I would be honored, your majesty.” He quickly moved over to the door. Ira handed him a piece of paper. The elder looked at it for a moment and nodded.

Ira opened the door.

“Representing Queen Amadine and King Osbert of Solrelm,” he inclined his head as two men stepped through the door. “Prince Bastian and Tor Westergaard.”

Prince Bastian waved his hand around then they walked to the table and took a seat. Once again, his hair was a mess and he looked very entertained. Tor, his guard, had long out-of-date shaggy dark hair, and I swear his eyes were black.

“Representing Empress Anata of Aridon,” Elder Landry bowed his head again, “Princess Oriana, Prince Elaric with Peyton Sallow and Manton Fernsby.”

They looked nothing like I had pictured of people from the realm of heat and fire. Not that I had any reference to back it up, I’d only heard talk of it while growing up. The Princess was tall, that combined with her muscled build was quite intimidating. Her short blonde hair was slicked back, which only made her almost yellow eyes stand out more.

She inclined her head, “Your majesties.” Then motioned to the woman beside her and went to her seat.

The woman, I assumed was her guard as she followed and didn’t lead, was my height and stocky. Her eyes were turquoise and interesting, but her expression was pure don’t-mess-with-me.

Prince Elaric nodded to the kings and made short work of going to sit down. He was as tall as his sister, had the same eyes and blond hair. Only his hair hung down his back in a braid. The prince’s guard seemed completely normal. Neat brown hair, brown eyes—that never stopped moving.

“Representing Queen Aurora of FaTerra,” The elder bowed, “Princess Aireese, Lady Mystral accompanied by Firo Loughty and Aslac Hatlen.”

I’d seen the princess before; she was probably the most gorgeous woman I’d ever seen. Her long, pale, strawberry blonde hair was braided into an intricate pattern on her head. The Lady Mystral was just as lovely, with her midnight dark hair. The guards with them were most definitely the prettiest men I’d ever seen. Firo was so blond his hair looked like it glowed. Aslac wasn’t as ‘bright’ but I’d still say he was too pretty to be a man.

They made quick work of sitting down, then turned to look at the Elder Landry.

“Representing King Erian of Veiltide,” He bowed, “Prince Artesiam and Sorcerer Elgar.”

A sorcerer? Was that the same as a mage or more powerful? Either way, having him here made me feel a bit better about finding Arwan. The Prince gave the room a quick appraisal.

“Art.” He said with a quick nod.

He was tall but not overly muscular. I wouldn’t call him out of shape though. His eyes were the truest green I’d ever seen. His shoulder-length, brown wavy hair was mostly pulled into a small bun at the back of his head.

The sorcerer had no features I would call distinguishable. He had dirty blond hair, brown eyes, and carried no visible weapons. His eyes appeared too small for his face, as they were squinting and judging everyone in the room as he took his seat.

Elder Landry went back to his seat.

“Thank you for coming.” Troy sat down beside his twin.

“Thank you for including us in this.” Prince Art said with a smile.

“You found your ancient mage?” Bastian leaned forward.

“We have.” Troy glanced to Michael.

“His last hiding place is in the caverns built under the snow.” Michael stood up and went over to a large map on the wall I hadn’t noticed before. “Here.”

“Snow.” Bastian shrugged, “I didn’t think to look in places like that.”

“Do we have a layout of these caverns?” Prince Elaric asked.

Michael came over and sat. “We couldn’t get inside undetected.”

“So, we have no idea what we’re walking in on.” Princess Oriana stated quietly.

“That is correct.” Victor rested his forearms on the table.

“There’s not a lot of nature buried under the snow.” Lady Mystral murmured.

“Nonsense.” Princess Aireese looked at her, “cold air is still air and there will be plenty of it.”

“Do we have a rough plan?” Bastian leaned back and crossed his arms. “to avoid tripping over one another in there.”

“Yes, I don’t think we’ve ever all worked together before.” Michael looked around.

“Not since the games were canceled more than a thousand years ago.” Bastian stated.

“Games?” Chase sat up.

Elder Varus nodded, “it was a yearly gathering in your grandfather’s time.” She smiled, “a fun competition between five of the realms—each team has someone from each realm...”

Elder Udela nodded, “it had to be canceled because Willis Hubert’s ancestors presented a threat to royalty.”

“I understand you finally have him in custody.” Prince Alaric looked at Troy.

“We do.” Troy looked to Arius.

“He’ll never taste freedom again.” Arius gave the other prince a hard look.

“So,” Princess Aireese glanced up and down the table of the Alterealm royalty, “it is my understanding that once we get Arwan, this will end.”

Victor cleared his throat quietly, “we believe there are factions in each of your realms that have been working with Arwan,” he paused and let his words sit for a moment, “once we have Arwan in custody we will strive to assist if you should have need, to find any from your individual realms.”

A few of the visitors looked surprised.

“It’s true.” Princess Aireese nodded, “we have discovered some from FaTerra taking part in this.”

“Solrelm too.” Bastian sighed, “and from what we’ve found out all the realms are involved.”

“Even the human side?” Prince Artesiam sat forward.

“I don’t think there have been any leaders participating,” Troy glanced at Chase, “but they’ve involved so many innocents that it may take a decade to get it entirely resolved.”

Lady Mystral clasped her hands in front of her. “My aunt, Queen Aurora told us,” she motioned to Princess Aireese, “of your discoveries.” Her soft ethereal look changed to a hard one, “we are quite willing to help bring any to justice that took part in these despicable acts.”

“We are in agreement there.” Princess Oriana inclined her head to the Lady.

“Tor and I can get in and out of that cavern undetected.” Prince Bastian shrugged, “unless it’s crawling with our own kind, then it will be a messy soul slaughter.”

I looked beside me to see Bethany giving me a wide-eyed look. I should have paid more attention when I was in school.

“That will be helpful to know what we’re walking into.” Prince Elaric nodded.

“We will deal with any magic or castings taking place.” Princess Aireese looked to her cousin who nodded. Their two guards also nodded.

“As shall I.” Sorcerer Elgar said in a low tone.

“The snow and ice are just hardened water.” Prince Art grinned then turned to Prince Elaric, “I’m sure we can use that to our advantage.”

“Indeed, we will.” Prince Elaric smiled at him.

Prince Bastian looked at me for a long moment, then around the table at the others from our realm. “The slicing and dicing dance we leave up to you.” He grinned at Chase.

“Can’t wait.” Autumn said. “Arwan tried to drown us.”

Daxx nodded, “he has some serious payback owed him.”

Prince Elaric laughed softly, “this could be fun.”

“I have heard whispers that your mates,” Princess Oriana looked at Troy, “all possess abilities.”

Princess Aireese chuckled softly, “there’s so much magic and energy on that side of the table I’m almost inebriated just sitting across from them.”

Princess Oriana looked at her for a moment, then smiled at Troy. “Congratulations.”

Quinton stood up suddenly. “Are we done with all the talk?”

Daxx got up and nodded her head at him. “Let’s say an hour?”

Troy got up and gave her a gentle look. “We have winter gear for everyone.” He motioned to Ira, “if you follow Commander Ira, he will take you to get it.”