by Honor James
“So loud,” she said as she tapped on his shoulder with a grin on her face. “See, I come to you just to surprise you and you yell,” she teased. “What do you think, honey? Is this acceptable?” she asked him as she turned in the long fitted dress that she had picked out just to wear to the council chambers.
“Very pretty,” he said, running his gaze up and down her body, twice. Smiling, he leaned in to kiss her gently. “You look gorgeous as always, Cin. You don’t even need to try, my angel.” Stroking his fingers up and down her arm gently, he smiled wider. “They aren’t going to know what to make of you, my love, and I can’t wait.”
Cinnamon grinned and leaned into him. “I hope that you are right. I’m very nervous though,” she admitted. “I’ve never seen the Council Chambers, and I don’t know what will happen there.” She had heard about the way that Katherine had changed into the Fae Queen and did so each time she entered the Chambers from Quincy. Cin was honestly worried that her true self would come to the forefront in the Chambers.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, watching her eyes. Her face was very expressive he’d learned, but he also knew that to get to really know what was going on in her head he had to watch her eyes. Talon was trying to be good and not eavesdrop on her thoughts. It was hard though. She was just so damned cute.
“What happens if…” She stepped in closer and looked up at him to whisper, “What if my true self comes out in the Chambers? How do we keep secret what I am? Who I am? I’m sure that Chaos already knows that I’m here since I told you all about his Minions and killed some of them when I first arrived on Earth, but still…” She sighed. “Will the others even accept me?”
“You can wear a cloak if you would prefer keeping your secret,” he told her honestly. “Quincy is on the Council, as is Katherine.” Who she’d met twice only briefly. “They would recognize you if your true form comes forth, which is very possible given the nature of the Chambers, love. We can test it though,” he offered, sliding his hands around her waist to draw her in tight to him. “Off the main hall where we all enter are small anterooms. They are under the same spell as the main Chamber. If you don’t reveal your true being there, then you won’t in the Chamber itself.”
Cin nodded and let herself be curled into his strong embrace. “I think that is ideal. If my true self shows, I can’t go in there with you, Talon. I’m not so sure that all that sit on the Council currently are exactly on the up-and-up, honey. There are so many that are not all they appear and would use that information against us all. I’m sorry, but I really don’t think that you would want me exposed to them before it’s time, do you?” If he thought it was best, she would do it. She would always trust him.
“Of course I wouldn’t want that,” he said and frowned against her hair. “Who isn’t on the ‘up-and-up,’ as you so eloquently put it?” he asked. All right, it was a demand. He wasn’t King for nothing. He hadn’t gotten there just because of his reasonably well-put-together looks or charming if slightly demented personality.
“I’m not sure, but Chaos has to have had someone helping him along the way. Haven’t you wondered how some of your bases have been found? I have over the years.” Then again she had been watching Gaia’s children for centuries. “But they are always just out of my purview, and I’ve never been able to figure out who it is.” She admitted, “But it’s someone who sits on the Council.”
“Then they need to be found,” he said in a chilling tone. He was beyond mad. He was seriously homicidal. “They will pay for such betrayal, not only to the Council but all of our peoples and the humans as well. It is unforgivable.” And punishable by the most heinous death he could think up.
Cinnamon nodded and took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I ruined your mood.” She hadn’t meant to, really and truly hadn’t meant to do that at all. “So the question is, do we allow them all to know exactly who I am and see who begins to sweat it, or do we hide me if my true self comes out in the Chamber anteroom?”
“I don’t know,” he answered grimly, honestly. “I will make the call when we know what occurs in the Chambers,” he said. Pressing a kiss to her lips, he let out a slow breath. “It’s always better to ruin my mood with truth of dangers than to let me blithely continue believing all is right in the world.”
“I will always tell you the truth, Talon.” Cinnamon looked up to him and smiled. “I love you, honey.” She sighed and then said, “All right, we should likely go off to the chambers so that we can see if my true self shows or not.” She had a feeling it would. It was like a rock in her stomach, the knowledge.
“Stop self-prophesying,” he said to her, drawing her in tight. Pressing a kiss to her temple, he murmured the words to open the portal. Keeping her close, he guided her in and stepped out with her a moment later into the large room. Nodding to the guards there, he guided her to the hall and headed for one of the doors. Opening it for her, he waited, his eyes on her face to see what was going on with her.
Cinnamon was nervous, very much so. This was a place that she had never seen before. She shivered and looked up at him, knowing what he would see. “I’m sorry, Talon.” She could see the glow of her own body without looking down, could see her wings reflected in his eyes and her sword hilt showing clearly on her back.
“Never apologize for who you are, love,” he told her as he shut the door behind them. Moving in closer, he smiled. “You are one seriously hot and sexy Angel, darling. I’ll likely go to hell for coveting you and all the thoughts running through my head, but whatever, I’m good with that.”
Cinnamon laughed and shook her head. “I love you, too.” She looked down and sighed. “And the dress that I had made for just this occasion is gone.” Instead she was in her white gown with the gold and silver threads, the Heavenly Gown she had been sent to Earth in. Pouting, she looked to Talon again. “That means you will have to take me somewhere else where I can wear that gown. It’s made by someone named Vera Wang. I guess she’s something big.” She shrugged. Now that she was over her sadness though, she looked at Talon and grinned. “Goodness, you look amazing.” He was truly the Dragon King in his armor. “Is it bad that I want to make love with you right here and right now?”
“It’s never bad,” he told her honestly, moving in closer to her. He didn’t even notice the weight of the armor and chainmail. He’d worn it regularly for so many years that even in the modern age it was like an old pair of shoes, broken in just right and extremely comfortable. Lifting a hand, he cupped her cheek. “You are amazingly beautiful, inside and out, sweetheart,” he stated softly. “But we can’t have you going into the Chambers like this. I don’t want anyone to know who you are just yet. There is a small panel you can watch through and feed me info if you can.”
Cinnamon nodded and swallowed hard. “All right.” Touching his cheek, she smiled. “I love you, Talon Silverwing, King of all the Dragons. You are mine for now and forever more. This is my solemn vow.” She hadn’t said it quite like that yet, and the vow snapped into place and tied them together forever.
Shaking his head as he felt everything try to slide sideways, he narrowed his eyes on her. “What was that?” he asked in a curious tone. Stepping in closer to her, he tugged her to him, feeling her heat even through the heavy armor.
“Even if we were to die, our souls would live on together forever in my father’s home. What I just did…” She flushed and looked down. “I should have asked first,” she whispered. “But I know you love me. I love you, and I never want to be without you,” she admitted.
“I like that idea.” He smiled down at her. Lowering his head, he kissed her gently. “It’s all right, angel. I don’t mind what you did, not in the least. It was a bit of a shock though. A little warning would have been nice,” Talon teased with a chuckle. Nipping at her lips, he breathed her in deeply. “I love you, too, angel, but I need to get into the Chamber before they come looking for me.” Stepping back, he took her hand and guided her toward the panel. Opening it, he pointed
. It’s screened, he commented in her mind slowly, so as long as you remain quiet no one will ever know you’re here.
Silent as can be, Cinnamon promised him and smiled. As long as my mother keeps my being here a secret as well. I know how she tends to love to spring things on people, so yeah. She sighed. Ask Katherine, privately, to ask all of the council members if they know who Sla’can Morose is. If they do…She felt her eyes glowing and her wings raising. Then they are working for the darkness. He is one of their Generals. He is a Vampire, and deadly. He’s a terrible, terrible being, Talon, and if they know of him, it would only be because they are a part of the darkness. No one of the light would know that name. It was one that wasn’t ever even whispered for fear of him being found, but Cinnamon hadn’t been a part of Earth when she learned of him. She had been watching as she always had and seen him. Heard his name. Knew the truth.
Nodding, he kissed her gently. I will, love, he murmured. Stepping back, he left her there and moved into the Chambers, ensuring the lock fell behind him so no one could enter the room where his bond-mate was. Moving around the table, he nodded to a few people, shook a few hands, and moved to Katherine. Leaning in, he put his lips to her ear. “If you can manage it,” he said with the barest of sounds, “I need you to ask each of the Council if they know who Sla’can Morose is and watch and listen very carefully to their answers.” Straightening, he stared into her eyes and nodded when she seemed to understand his meaning. Moving to the head of the table, he stood before his throne. “Council is now in session. Settle down everyone,” he ordered before sitting.
Tuning into that Fae part of her, Katherine listened. She watched all that was happening, how people moved, and how they shifted. There was something different in the air, something that had her frowning. She continued to look around the room but couldn’t figure out what was off. It was as if, well, it felt almost as if Gaia was there, but something stronger than her. It was, in a word, odd.
I think that Katherine is feeling me, Talon. She is not only the Ear of Truth, but in these Chambers she sees and feels truth as well. Should I return home?
No, remain, he frowned and looked to Katherine. Waiting until he caught her eye, Talon shook his head and directed right to her, Leave it be, Katherine. The name is much more important, and I will explain the rest later. Or as much as he could without breaking his promise to his bond-mate.
I think we will have to tell her all. Your most trusted, I think we should let them know wha—Talon. Cinnamon stopped dead in her tracks. On the end, one of the lower houses. Not the Queens or Kings, but the Lady of the Vipers. Look at her. Something is off.
Turning his head slightly, Talon let his eyes drift over everyone slowly, not settling on any one person for too long. He listened to everyone as they spoke of issues, discussed problems, and occasionally put forth a comment or suggestion himself. His gaze landed on and then slowly slid past the Lady of the Vipers. Something was off with her. She appears to be very fixated on someone across the table from her. He couldn’t be entirely sure who since he wasn’t at the right angle to determine it. Can you tell who she is staring at so intently? he asked as he leaned forward to speak with the King of the Cats, the interim King Evan Tryggr’s uncle, about a problem he’d found beginning to occur within the population of some Lions.
No, it’s the wrong angle for me, too. When they are all gone we will have to figure out who sat there, but for now just continue. We don’t know what’s happening but something is. Of that the Angel was sure. I still say that the ones that you trust the most need to know about me, or at least that I’m more than human.
I think so, too, love. More now than before. He couldn’t leave them all in the dark. After the meeting concluded, he would grab Kat and Quincy and go meet Cin in the anteroom to tell them. Until then he had to remain focused on what was going on around the table. Most things were the usual petty grievances between the races. The Cats were doing this, the Mage were attempting that, blah, blah, blah. But there was a serious undertone occurring that Talon knew was the real issue.
After four hours he held up a hand. “Council, let’s adjourn for today. We’ve covered a lot, but there is much more still to contend with. We will reconvene in a few days.” He looked to a couple of the Kings and Queens. “Please bring whatever information you have to the next meeting so we can all have everything needed to decide best how to assist you,” he told them. “I will send notice tomorrow of when we will next meet. Until then, attend to your people, and may Gaia be with you always. Go in peace,” he said, ending the meeting. Kat, Q, stick around, will you please, he sent to them directly as he sat back down in his Throne.
Katherine and Quincy shared a look, but they remained seated. Waiting until the Council Chambers were empty, Katherine looked to Talon. “All right, talk, Talon. What’s going on? You’ve never once asked us to remain behind, so what’s going on?”
“We’ve got problems, lady and gent,” he told them as he stood up from his Throne and moved around the room slowly. “We have traitors on the Council,” he said first and foremost. “When you get a chance, Kat, I need to know what you can find from each about the name I gave you. In the meantime…” He let out a breath and looked to the door that led to where Cin was. You want to come in here, darling? Talon sent to his mate softly. “In the meantime, there’s something I need to tell you both, but you have to, no matter what, keep it a secret until otherwise told, right?”
Cinnamon walked out of the anteroom with her wings trailing behind her. In the white dress with the silver and gold thread that all but glowed in the semi-dark chambers, she knew the sight she made. The glow to her skin cast about to all around her. Her hair was like spun silk, silver, and the pure joy that they would feel was evident. Moving to Talon’s side, she looked to him and slipped her hand into his. “Hi,” she whispered.
“Hi, baby,” he whispered, tugging her in close to kiss her lips lightly. Looking to Quincy, he grinned. “Close your mouth, boy. You’re catching flies,” he teased. Slipping his arm around his mate’s waist, Talon shot a look to Katherine. “Cinnamon’s power was what you were feeling earlier. We decided it was time to tell you the truth about her now so that you could both digest it and ask any questions you might have while we’re here.”
Cinnamon decided to speak first. “My kind haven’t been on the Earth in a very, very long time,” she began softly and wrapped her arm around Talon’s waist. “I’m an Angel. But more than that.” She smiled and then gave a little shrug. “I’m Gaia’s daughter. Her true daughter. She and my father, the Divine Creator, have always loved each other. From the moment he created her she loved him and he her. That bond that they share is the reason each of you has a bond-mate,” she explained. “Father not only created love and life through my mother, but he created a balance as well. Chaos. Chaos is darkness. He is all that is evil and bad. He has created his own races of beings. Sadly.” She sighed. “When Father sent his first Angels to Earth to help man and Gaia’s children of Earth to remain on the straight and narrow, Chaos swayed them to his side. They fell. When they fell, they became something darker, something more. Not all are bad, though. I need you to all realize that,” she said, thinking of the Wraith that was a part of Talon’s team. “Which is why my blood is the only thing that can be used in your protection spell, Quincy,” she revealed.
“Well that explains a hell of a lot,” Quincy said, shaking his head. Running a hand through his hair, he leaned forward and propped his elbows on the large table. “And since Davyn can still come and go I’m assuming he’s on your list of good guys.” He looked to Cinnamon. At her look he grinned. “I wasn’t born yesterday, and I’m just smart enough to get into a hell of a lot of trouble without much effort in the least.”
“He and Mikhail both,” Cinnamon said. “But he’s a completely different breed,” she said with a smile. “But that is his story, not mine. He’s an amazing man, just as Davyn is,” she added. “But yes, that would be why. If there is no dark
ness inside of them, then they are able to come and go as they please. The slightest hint of darkness, however, will keep them out of the compounds.”
Frowning, Quincy nodded. “That makes sense, but…” He licked his lips. “I don’t mean any disrespect here, but you know this stuff better than any of us, so forgive me if I seem blunt or act more of an idiot than normal. Don’t both Wraiths and Vampires, by nature, have a level of darkness inside? I mean, everyone does, all of us on Earth do. But it’s our choices that keep the balance to one side or the other, free will that the Divine Creator and Gaia both gave us. So really, we’re all light and dark within. Some are just more one way or the other. Is it that balance that the shielding, with your blood of course, detects?”
“Everyone has darkness inside of them. This is true,” Cin told him with a smile. “And yes, they do have a level of darkness inside of them. However, it’s the choices that they have made in their lives that keep them more firmly in the light than in the darkness. The shield will work on all of Gaia’s children as well. If there is ever one that turns to the darkness, it will repel them as well. It’s all in the choices, which is where my blood comes into play. You see, by nature darkness can’t be around light. The light is stronger than the darkness, and any who are of that darkness will shun me. They will turn from me and not even realize why. That’s why my blood is so powerful in your spell.”
“Makes sense to me,” Quincy said with a smile to her. “And it also makes me feel better about using it on all the bases we have. Which reminds me, I’ll be gone for a few days, boss. It’s going to take me awhile to get to them all and put the new shields in place. I doubt I’ll be back in time for your next meeting with all the stuffed shirts.”