by Honor James
“You have taken him from the top of the mountain to under it, darling. He’s going to be so pissed off that he will likely give himself a stroke.” If only they were that lucky! “But no matter what, I love you, Quincy. No matter what else happens, rely on that love and feel it. Use it for your center and balance.”
“I always do,” he whispered, hugging her to him. Pausing just outside the Chambers, he pressed a kiss to her lips. “I love you, Maya,” he spoke very softly, wrapping her in his arms to hold her for a moment. She was his everything and very definitely his balance. She gave him strength and a center that was rock solid.
“That’s very good because I love you as well, Q,” Maya told him. “I’m glad that I’m here for you,” she whispered softly to him and smiled, just for him. Only for him. “Now then, let’s do this thing so that we can get home sooner.” The sooner it was over, the sooner they would be able to get home and relax once more.
“And get busy,” he whispered against her ear, ensuring only she would hear his words. Kissing her lips gently, he smiled down at her and turned to face the last door. Out of childhood habit, he crossed himself for good measure and pushed it open, entering first with her hand in his.
Maya grinned up at him and winked. “You betcha, baby, and get busy,” she whispered just before he opened the Council Room door. Maya stood at his side and entered with him, the power of the room pulsing and flowing over them both as they entered. Squeezing his hand tightly, she looked up at him. “I’m right here,” she whispered.
Squeezing back, he stopped and waited as Talon had instructed, since Talon tended to run these deals as King of the Dragons. He also knew that he did have to watch his mouth a little more. Too many of the Council tended to be fuddy-duddy’s.
Looking to Quincy, Talon said, “We have in our midst the new King of the Magic World.” He waved for Quincy to come forward. “If the throne accepts you, Quincy Wallace, the Council will accept you.” He looked around and then asked, “Unless there is anyone who wishes to contest the change in the Royal Line from Griffon to Wallace?”
Walking toward Talon with a firm grip on Maya, Quincy waited for someone to speak out. There was a bit of whispering but all seemed to give their permission to let it proceed, even a couple that had obviously been allied with Maya’s brother. Stopping next to Talon, he looked up at the man. “What now?” he questioned from the side of his mouth. They hadn’t really gotten beyond stop, be silent, and watch your mouth, boy.
“Sit on your throne. It will accept you,” he assured Quincy. “Just make sure that when you do, you don’t jump right up. It’s a bit of a shock, trust me,” he whispered. “Just trust in the knowledge that you are the one for the position. Gaia has made it so.”
“Not helping my nerves,” he breathed out and, releasing Maya’s hand since he didn’t know what was about to happen, went to stand before the Gods’ awful throne. Sitting down slowly, he relaxed and then nearly jumped right back up. But he kept the seat, barely, hands gripping the arms tight, and he shivered slightly.
“The magic has been shown to belong now to the House of Wallace,” Talon stated. “Let it be recorded that the House of Wallace is now the real and true Ruling House of the Magic Users. Ensure that all are aware.”
Quincy looked up at Maya and let out a breath. That had been seriously fucking freaky. Holding out his hand to her, he took hers and lightly tugged her around to sit in his lap. That was so far beyond strange I don’t even know where to begin. Quincy spoke privately in her mind through their own private telepathic link.
Taking his seat, Talon raised his hand. “And now it is understood that we have a new Royal, we will begin our meeting. What is the first item on our agenda?”
Nodding, Quincy stroked Maya’s back lightly. Leaning in, he kissed her cheek gently. He listened as things were discussed and then it came. “We have a claim from one of our former members that the newly crowned King is a fraud,” someone said. “He does not know that the Throne accepted him as true King and wishes to have his grievances heard and also to demand payment for his mental anguish and suffering over the events that have transpired.”
I should be behind you, love, Maya told him softly, even though she made no move to, well, move. Ask them to allow me to speak, honey. I should tell them what my father did, why the true power of the line was never Michael’s.
Nodding slightly, he stroked her leg lightly but kept her close. He wasn’t letting her get up. He liked where she was. “My bond-mate has some information on this topic that may help to explain just why Michael Griffin is making the claim he is. I request you let her speak so you, too, may know it.”
Talon looked to Maya and then frowned at Quincy. Later he would box both their ears for not sharing this with him, but that was later. For now, he said, “Maya Griffon, you have leave to speak to the Council.”
Maya tried, and failed, to stand. Finally she gave in to Quincy holding her and admitted to herself she rather loved it also and didn’t want to let him go. “I was very young when my father passed, as you all know,” she began and swallowed to clear her throat. “He didn’t pass easily as Michael tried to put to you all. Daddy died a terrible death and he knew when he passed that it wasn’t natural.” She dropped that little bombshell.
She heard the muttered whispers, the disbelief in the Council, but continued. “I was with my father when he passed,” she told them. “And when he passed, he pushed into me the power that should have gone to the son upon the death. I know very few of you are aware of how the power transfers from father to son in the Royal Family, but the way that it happens is when the father passes, the Magic moves directly to the strongest male son. Father circumvented that, however, because he knew just what a monster Michael was. He knew that he couldn’t’ stop Michael’s claims right away but had been told that his daughter’s bond-mate would one day begin the new Royal Line.” She hesitated. “When father passed, he told me that Gaia said that it would be so,” she whispered and closed her eyes for a moment, reliving that passing and the horror of it.
“Michael realized that the power didn’t transfer to him, of course, and came for me. He knew in that moment that somehow father had bypassed the traditions and sent the power to me. He didn’t know that it was to give to my bond-mate but thought that it was to make me Queen. That wasn’t the truth. Gaia would never allow a Queen of the Magic Line and I happen to agree with her. There are times we are far too emotional and unable to differentiate between doing what is needed versus what we want.” Maya knew that men could be more analytical about what had to happen.
“The simple truth, ladies and gentlemen, is that Michael should have never accepted the Throne. The Throne only accepted him because of his bloodline and the fact that the True Royal Power given by Gaia was still a part of a Griffon bloodline. Now the power is residing within my bond-mate, Quincy Wallace, and a better King has never lived than the one I am certain he will be.”
Quincy hadn’t known some of what she’d just revealed and he had to take a moment before he could even breathe again. Hugging her close, he squeezed her knee lightly. I love you, darling mine. But you should have told me a little of this before we got here. Pressing a kiss to her cheek, he breathed her in. Are you all right, angel?
I will be, my love. I couldn’t voice it before because I was terrified that if I spoke it aloud it would somehow get back to my brother. I love you but I knew that this tale would be one that I could only voice here, in the Council Chamber, to put to light the crimes Michael has committed. Maya watched the arguments erupt but knew that she had to simply sit back, watch, and wait.
Which are apparently growing in number every moment. Stroking her leg, he listened to the arguments before looking to Talon. The big guy looked ready to have an aneurysm, not that he blamed him in the least.
As I said, Michael was a monster. Is a monster. Since the man was still alive. She watched the arguments break into near blows and winced.
Talon roared, li
terally. “Shut the fuck up!” he shouted. “You are all giving me a fucking headache.” Rubbing his temples, he sighed. “I believe that it’s time for Michael to come to the Chambers so that he can state his case and so that we can pass judgment upon him.” He looked around and saw Kat with her bond-mates surrounding her. “Katherine.” He smiled softly for the young woman.
“Hello, Talon. I hadn’t intended upon being late but there was a bit of an emergency,” she stated. “I’m here now.” She looked to Maya. “And you spoke nothing but the truth. Bless your heart, honey. You spoke nothing but the truth.”
Maya bowed her head. “There is nothing but the truth that I would ever state here. I would be too afraid to even tell the smallest of lies.”
“And you couldn’t. Not with Katherine here,” Talon informed Maya. “She is the Queen of the Fae. She is also the Ear of Truth. When anyone is near her, the power inside of her allows her to only hear the truth.”
That Maya hadn’t known. She nodded. “And Michael knows of you?” When Katherine nodded, she whispered. “He won’t come here. Not if he knows that you are here.”
Katherine frowned and looked to Trey. “Do you think that the fire could have been caused by magic?”
“Entirely possible,” he told her honestly. “We were too busy trying to keep the place from burning down to look for it but we will go back and look when we can. The traces will be there if it was magic,” he assured her softly.
Maya frowned. “Do you think that he started a fire at your home to keep you from coming to Council?” She knew that she shouldn’t be speaking but couldn’t stop herself.
“That’s exactly what I am thinking. Perhaps the best way to do this all would be if Michael didn’t know that I was here.” Katherine looked to Skittles and smiled. “Hey Quincy.”
“Hi, Kat. I’d keep her out of sight at least until he’s in here. Since he has to be escorted now, once he’s in, he can’t get back out without the same escort.”
Katherine looked to Mac and Sully. She smiled. “So I guess that means we get to go and hide in the shadows.” Which means that I can get that blasted kiss that I tried to get before you demanded that we get moving.
We were running way behind schedule and you know that if not for the fire, Talon would have torn us all a new one for being so late. Especially since it was Skittles’s first time here, Mac commented, keeping a perfectly straight face for all looking at them. Taking her hand, he helped her up and guided her toward a secluded corner that couldn’t be seen from the doors or most of the room.
When he was certain they were hidden, Talon nodded. “Aaron, I need for you to be the guardian that goes for Michael Griffon. Please get him and bring him here, no excuses as to why he’s not coming, period,” he stated. At Aaron’s bow, he looked to the beings in the room. “We will allow him to speak. No one is to utter a word when he enters other than me.” Meaning if anyone gave away that Katherine was there he would beat someone.
Think he means that? Quincy asked, not really caring. He just wanted Maya to look at him and it worked. Hello, gorgeous, come here often? He was nervous as hell and when he got nervous he apparently used worn and boring pick-up lines on his bond-mate. Who knew?
Yeah, I really think that he means that. Maya sighed and leaned back against Quincy. Calm, my love. You deserve this Throne. You are the one who Gaia chose as the man to become the next King of the Magic World. You deserve it, my love. Know that. This was and always has been your destiny.
Nervous and scared absolutely spitless, Quincy thought that life was just getting better and better. Still doesn’t help with the huge crop, or is it flock?—he frowned slightly and figured he’d look it up later—of butterflies beating at the insides of my stomach. Maybe it’s swarm…
Honey. Maya turned so that she could look him in the eyes. Look at yourself, Q, she whispered. Honey, you are magnificent. You are wearing the armor of a true King darling. You hadn’t noticed, had you? she murmured with a smile and stroked her finger over the gold thread of his top.
Glancing down, he blinked as he realized his normal outfit of jeans, printed T, and long leather overcoat were gone. Holy hell! What the heck is all this gear? he asked, plucking at his top and wondering if he looked as blinding as he thought he did.
That, my darling, is the Royal Garb. It seems as if a new Crest has been created for your line as well, she spoke in his mind again as she touched the golden threads that signified his new Royal Crest. A symbol of hope, darling. Because that is what you are giving the Magic Users, hope.
Oh goodie, no pressure or nothing. Letting out a breath, he pulled her in closer to him and rubbed his cheek to hers. He was about to say something but the door opened and the pompous ass arrived and zeroed right in on them. If looks could kill—yikes!
Maya tensed on Quincy’s lap and felt fear. She had always been terrified of Michael but now even more so because he had absolutely nothing to lose. He’s dangerous, Q. Never turn your back on him because he will kill without hesitation or question.
I know, darling. Trust me, I know. He was keeping his eyes on Michael as long as he was in the Council Chambers. No way in hell was he looking away for any reason at all. Michael was a snake in the grass coiled to strike as soon as an inch of flesh was bared—metaphorically speaking, of course.
Talon looked to the man who was standing in a place that no longer welcomed him. “We understand that you wish to bring forth an issue, Michael Griffin.” No longer would he ever be referred to as a Royal. “Speak up and let us hear this issue, but know that wild and unfounded accusations will not be tolerated.” Talon saw that Michael had noted the Fae’s empty seat, a slightly smug look sliding over his face.
Rocking back on his heels, Michael looked up to Talon and said, “There is a usurper here. I believe that he and my estranged sister are conspiring to take my Throne, a Throne that is mine by birth. She stole our father’s power when he was in his lowest mark in his life, just before he passed, and then gave it to this gutter trash.”
“That is a serious accusation,” Talon commented, shifting slightly to cross his ankles before him. “And if found to be false, especially here in the Council Chambers, it will result in only one thing.” Death. He didn’t need to say it. They all knew it. Michael just looked all the more smug and Talon had had enough. “Katherine, darling, do tell us all if he spoke true or false.”
Stepping out of the shadows with Mac and Sully holding onto each of her arms, she whispered, “False. Every word that he spoke since he stepped into this Chamber has been a lie. The one and only usurper is himself,” she told everyone, walking forward with green grass growing under her feet as she moved.
Maya looked to Michael’s face and saw his anger, feeling the need to warn Talon that he was about to do something really and truly bad. Instead she whispered in Quincy’s mind. I feel a build up from him. He’s about to toss some sort of magic at the Council, my love. Put up a shield, she warned softly.
I’m ready for it, Quincy answered in kind as he gathered energy but worked to keep it all hidden. When Michael lashed out, Quincy met it with a solid shield that sent it right back at the man. What happened next made even Talon and the Dragon Guards flinch. For some of the others there was gagging and a few even threw up. Pulling Maya’s face to him, he held her close, sheltering her from what was happening.
From the corner of his eyes he saw Katherine turn into Mac’s body as a sob tore from her throat and she covered her ears, likely to try to blot out the sound of the screams of the man whose flesh was melting from his bones, a slow and torturous death.
Maya held onto Quincy. She had a feeling that Michael was going to toss fire but had never thought that he would send out a spell of melting flesh. Ever. Oh Gods, he wanted to kill every single member of the Council, Q.
I know, baby, he whispered softly to her as he stroked her hair and blocked the screams from reaching her ears. He watched Michael as his own spell melted his flesh down to muscle, to sinew
, to tendons, and then to bone, the mind aware at all times. Then there was nothing, absolute silence as the ash settled on the ground. Closing his eyes finally, Quincy buried his face in her neck and held her tight. I’m so sorry, my love. He may have hated Michael with a passion but he’d never wanted to kill her flesh and blood, especially like that!
Maya nodded but didn’t lift her head. She sniffed, tears falling as she did so. She might not have even liked Michael a little, but for anyone to die as he had, it was horrific. I can’t look up until they have cleaned up. She choked a bit and then gulped. Aloud Maya spoke, “I want to go home.” She was done. She couldn’t be here. She thought she could but she couldn’t.
Talon nodded. “After what has just happened, we all need a moment and the Chambers need a good, clean burnout. We will reconvene in three days,” he said and then, “Gaia protect you all.” To Quincy, he said, “Get her out of here before she tosses her cookies. This isn’t what she needs, especially now.”
Nodding, he lifted her in his arms and carried her out the door, making sure she saw nothing of the ashes. “I’ve got you, love,” he whispered, moving to the clear area and pulling a slipstream for them instead of a Vortex. Stepping through, he took her straight to their bedroom. Sitting on the bed, he hugged her in closer to him and rocked slowly. “I’m so sorry, love,” he whispered quietly. “If I’d had any idea what he was doing I would have changed tactics, I swear. Please don’t hate me.”
“Justice has been served,” Maya whispered quietly and swallowed hard. “The moment that he lied, his fate was sealed. It was Gaia’s will,” she told him softly and clutched at him. “I’m sorry you had to do that, Quincy. I hate that you had to destroy someone like that, honey.”
Pressing a kiss to her cheek, he breathed her in and nuzzled at her skin. “It is what it is, love.” He didn’t feel anything about it except a little relief that she wouldn’t have to deal with Michael anymore. Which kind of sounded bad, and so he kept that to himself.