I smiled softly. “Thank you for understanding.”
“I've probably got some leggings that will do the job for now,” Acenith suggested. She and the others disappeared from the room, leaving Jerome with Conal and I.
“Right. Given that you are completely disregarding my advice, let's at least see how this 'little guy' is doing before you go,” Jerome muttered, reaching for the monitor.
Chapter 45: All Hail the King
Keenan wore clothing typical of the Fae; brown leather tunic and pants, tan leather boots. He wore an elaborate gold chain around his neck, and an intricate circular emblem, adorned with precious jewels hung from it. The Fae King was extremely tall, his shoulders broad and heavyset. Like the other Fae his eyes were a remarkable color, luminously green. Keenan's face was heavily lined, his long white hair braided, beaded and falling halfway down his back.
He stood beside Lucas in my room above the hall. I'd called a large group of the spirits together for a discussion, before the meeting downstairs. Whilst Conal and the others were rounding up the group leaders, I'd stolen away for a few minutes of conference with the spirits. It seemed pertinent to include my newest spiritual advisor and I'd been stunned by the sheer size of the Fae man when I'd brought him into the room solidly. Intimidating would be an excellent word to describe him – however since meeting him, he'd treated me with the utmost respect and seemed willing to co-operate with my other spirit guides.
Discussing the events of the night, I had a clearer understanding of how Archangelo and I had 'met' in the nightmare. It was an ability all Nememiah's Children had achieved in the past – a way of contacting one another across long distances. When I questioned this theory, arguing that I'd seen Archangelo when he'd taken the sleep potion before, Lucas smiled softly. “It's not Archangelo who is responsible, love – it's you. It's the progression of your abilities which caused it to happen – Archangelo was only involved because he is the only other Nememiah's Child.”
“Not the only one,” Mom reminded him quietly, “Matt's son Kazuki carries the blood of angels.”
Lyell nodded thoughtfully. “He must be protected as much as Charlotte.”
“The Drâghici don't know about him,” I said.
Lucas sat down beside me. “No, they don't. But there's a risk that he will be discovered. He needs protection as much as you, my love.”
I frowned. “Do you think I should force Matt and Misaki to leave Zaen?”
Phelan shook his head. “No, Lott. Matt was right. Kazuki is safer in Zaen than anywhere else.”
“He should however, have increased protection,” Lady Wadworth suggested. “We believe it's time Kazuki was provided with spiritual protection around the clock.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Can I do that?”
Lucas smiled warmly. “Of course you can.” He glanced across to Ripley's mother. “Would you and Ripley's father take on that responsibility, Lady Caroline?”
The older woman smiled and nodded gracefully, completing a perfect curtsey. “Ripley and I would be honored to accept that duty.”
I grinned. “Ripley was named after his father?”
Lady Wadsworth smiled at me, her grey eyes warm. “Yes, he was.” She turned to Lucas. “We will go and begin our protection of Kazuki immediately. Charlotte, if you could bring Earl Wadsworth into the room corporeally, if you please.”
I did as she requested and to my surprise, she and Ripley's father walked away and disappeared down the stairs. I turned back to Lucas, the obvious question in my eyes.
“My love, you have the ability to keep us corporeal for as long as you want – you have had the capacity for a while, but you routinely send us back when you've finished speaking to us. Without taking the deliberate step of sending us to our realm, we can remain here for as long as you need us.”
“But sometimes I lose you, when I lose concentration,” I argued.
“When Archangelo broke through Zaen's security, you kept us corporeal for hours, and again when we rescued Arasinya and the others from Sfantu Drâghici. It's only when you're under intense pressure that you lose your focus a little. With some forethought, you can keep those guarding Kazuki corporeal, even if you lose some of the others,” Lucas explained patiently.
“And you must also be protected. Now more than ever,” Lyell added. He was leaning against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest. “Lucas, she needs constant protection with this threat from Archangelo.”
Lucas nodded his agreement. “Keenan?”
“It will be my honor to defend Nememiah's Child,” Keenan agreed, his booming voice loud in the small room.
“I'll volunteer,” Phelan agreed and threw me a wink. “Always a pleasure to spend time with my favorite angel.”
“I'm the only angel you know, Phelan.”
“Keenan and Phelan will be with you constantly, Charlotte. They will do their best to protect both you and our child,” Lucas confirmed, his eyes on my belly and his expression wistful.
“I thought you would want to protect us.” I scrutinized his face, wondering why he'd chosen two others for the job of protecting me.
Lucas smiled. “No, my love. I will not subject you to seeing me constantly, particularly not when you're still developing your relationship with Conal. It wouldn't be fair to either of you.”
“Do you… can you feel the baby if you touch me?” I questioned.
For a minute Lucas gazed at me. “I believe so.”
He pressed his hand gently to my stomach. It was an odd sensation, although there was no physical indication he was touching me, I could see he was. “Kick, baby,” I whispered.
There was a tumble of movement in my belly and Lucas grinned, his delight apparent in his sparkling eyes. “Our child,” he whispered softly. It was an emotionally double-edged sword, for both of us. Intense delight over the baby we had made together and incredible sadness that Lucas wasn't able to share our lives as he should have done. He lifted his hand from my belly and smiled warmly. “It's remarkable, the bond you have with our child.”
“You're sure he's okay? You can't tell me why I suddenly got bigger so quickly?” I questioned anxiously.
“I'm afraid not. But our baby is strong and healthy and perfect. We have nothing to worry about, my love.”
“Why can't you tell me more?”
Lucas shook his head. “There is much we cannot tell you, Charlotte. We are limited by the rules of Nememiah himself. Already you are using your ability far beyond the reach of what it was originally intended for, due to the situation you find yourself in. We can only do so much.” He threw me a wink. “But we will continue to do as much as we possibly can.”
“Has Archangelo told the Drâghici about the baby?”
Lyell pushed away from the wall, striding across to crouch before me. “We can't tell you, Charlotte. We only have the ability to tell you when danger is approaching you personally.”
“This is frustrating,” I grumbled unhappily. “Do you guys actually know what's going on in Romania, or do you only know limited amounts of information like I do?”
Lucas stood up, walking across to the window before he spoke. “I know it's frustrating, my love. We don't know everything which is happening, we don't have direct access to every piece of information. But I can explain no further. I wish I could.”
I sighed heavily, tucking my legs underneath me on the couch. “I know you're doing your best.”
Conal appeared in the stairwell looking serious. “We're ready downstairs, Charlotte.” He strode across the room, flopped down onto the couch and drew me into his arms. “Been talking to the spirits?”
I nodded, glancing around at the others in the room. “They're still here.”
Conal's raised his eyebrows and glanced around the room. “They are?”
I explained what Lucas had told me, how I could keep them corporeal for as long as I wanted to.
Conal smiled. “So who's here?”
“Keenan, Mom, Lucas, Phelan an
d your Dad.”
“No offense, Sugar, but this is completely bizarre,” Conal chuckled. “I feel like I'm sharing my girlfriend with half the afterlife.” He kissed my nose. “You ready for this?”
I nodded. “You head down; I'll be there in a minute.”
Conal kissed me. “Did I mention how adorable you look in my sweater?”
I giggled. The sweater was so huge I'd rolled the sleeves up half a dozen times to get them above my wrists. “No, you didn't mention it.”
He stood up and gazed down at me. “You get more beautiful every day, Charlotte. See you downstairs.”
I dropped my legs down from under me and sat cross-legged on the floor. “Time to get down there,” I said softly.
“We'll leave you now, Charlotte,” Mom said.
“You'll need to have Keenan go back with us, then return him in solid form,” Lucas confirmed.
“And I get to hang around,” Phelan added with a delighted grin.
“I'm not sure I can manage this all at once,” I muttered.
“You can, Charlotte,” Lucas reassured me quietly, “you have the ability to do a great deal now.”
“Goodnight everyone.”
The spirits disappeared and I was surprised to discover that I had, in fact, managed to retain Phelan just by thinking about him. He plunked down onto the couch and smiled widely. “See, knew you could do it, Lott. Now get Keenan back here and let's go and sort out the other leaders.”
Keenan bowed deeply and offered me his arm. “Let us go and deal with this leadership council of yours.”
I linked my arm through his, aware of pressure in my temples from bringing Keenan back solidly, though it wasn't overwhelming. The older man patted my arm reassuringly and I found myself warming to him.
It was difficult to know what caused the greatest shock amongst the leaders when we walked into the meeting hall a few minutes later – there was a startled silence when they saw the size of my pregnant belly after such a short period of time. Whether it was this sudden growth which caused their stunned silence, or if it was the rapidly darkening bruises on my neck from Archangelo's attack, I didn't know.
Or perhaps, it was the fact that I arrived on the arm of a giant fairy, who's height surpassed even Nick and Conal's six feet five inches. Keenan towered over me, remarkably intimidating for a man who was nine hundred years old when he died. In terms of size, he completely swamped me and I imagined our entrance to be somewhat of a shock to the members of the Zaen council.
Keenan view the group awaiting our arrival with keen interest, perusing each and every member of the council astutely. When his perusal reached Goren and Arasinya, standing together at the table, he smiled broadly.
Goren and Arasinya bowed before the older man and I saw deep affection in Arasinya's eyes as she saw her father standing before her.
“Everyone, this is Keenan. Former King of the Fae,” I introduced officially.
The quiet was all-encompassing for a few seconds, then Epi broke the silence. “Keenan, my friend. It is good to see you once again.”
“Epimetheus!” Keenan's voice boomed around the room, his tone deep and gruff. It was the voice of a man used to taking command, full of authority and confidence. “It is indeed good to see you again, my old friend.” Keenan strode across the room and gripped Epi's arm, slapping his shoulder heartily. “You are well?”
Epi nodded. “Indeed, Keenan.”
Arasinya stepped forward, Goren a pace behind her. “Father.”
Keenan lifted one hefty arm, catching his daughter's cheek against his massive palm. “My beloved Arasinya.” He released her cheek and drew her into an embrace, holding her against him like a fragile rose. “How I have missed you, my daughter.”
Arasinya looked up, a tear trickling slowly down her cheek. “And I you, father.”
With an arm around his daughter, Keenan turned his attention to Goren and the elf bowed deeply again. “My King,” he said reverently.
“My son.” The fondness Keenan felt for Goren was unmistakable and he patted Goren's shoulder affectionately. “I have watched your protection of Arasinya and your attempt to return her to her rightful position on the throne. You deserve my thanks and my respect.”
Keenan turned to the group before him, literally taking over the meeting with his formidable presence. “And these are the members of your council, Charlotte?”
I nodded. “Each one is the leader of their respective pack, coven or Kiss.”
He glanced down at me and smiled. “Perhaps we should give them the respect of an individual introduction, my child?”
I returned the smile, aware that Keenan was doing his utmost to put the council at ease. We'd discussed this at length upstairs, knowing it would be vital for them to feel comfortable before suggesting the Fae join us here in the city. Taking his lead, I walked him around the table, introducing each and every member of the leader's council to him. Initially intimidated by Keenan, the tension in the room had tangibly reduced by the time he'd met everyone.
“Take your seats, please,” Epi requested and Keenan held out a seat for me before sitting down himself.
“As you are aware, we have called this emergency meeting because of events which took place earlier tonight,” Epi began. In short, succinct sentences he explained my latest nightmare, the Drâghici's knowledge of our attempt to deceive them and the attack by Archangelo. “On receiving news of this development, Charlotte asked Goren and Arasinya to warn their operatives in the Fae Realm and Charlotte has given them permission to come to Zaen.” A ripple of discussion broke out amongst the leaders and I held up a hand, asking for silence.
“They have been given permission to come to Zaen. Even as we speak, they are gathering outside the gates,” I explained. “They won't enter Zaen without express permission of you guys.” I looked around the room, catching the anxiety in some of the faces before me. “You know as well as I do, the Fae can walk into Zaen whenever they want to, without needing the mark. They've chosen to honor my request because of their willingness to join us against the Drâghici.”
“How many Fae are we talking about?” Nat questioned.
“Approximately one hundred and thirty,” Goren responded. “They are our most trusted people, each of whom were working towards Arasinya regaining the throne from Aethelwine.”
“And you, Sir?” Bhekimuzi looked towards Keenan. “You can confirm the information Goren gave us? Arasinya is the true Queen of the Fae?”
Keenan's eyes darkened. “My daughter Aethelwine is the usurper to the throne. Arasinya is my true heir. It is to her the throne should have gone upon my death.”
This statement was met with thoughtful silence for a few moments, before Joe spoke up. “What happens with the other Fae? Do we think they'll join with the Drâghici?”
“We don't have a lot of information to go on, but for now we believe it's a possibility,” I explained. “All I can confirm for you is the Drâghici know of our attempt to deceive them. From what I heard in my nightmare, they intend to negotiate directly with Aethelwine for the other Fae to join them.”
“It is most likely that Aethelwine will join the Drâghici,” Keenan boomed loudly. “My second daughter,” his eyes darkened even more, “is liable to do anything to retain her hold on the throne. If that requires unification with the Drâghici, I have no doubt she will take that step.”
“What's the deal with this new development with Lottie?” Nick queried, his gaze firmly fixed on my neck. He still hadn't spoken to me directly since our return from Romania, and guessing by the look on his expression, he was still angry.
“The spirits inform me this… meeting within the nightmare is caused because of my abilities growing,” I explained. “Archangelo is aware that I'm pregnant. He's… unhappy about it, to say the least.”
“He's threatening the life of Charlotte's baby,” Ben added. “We are unaware of what he intends to do next.”
Keenan patted my shoulder, the motion gentle de
spite the sheer size and power of the man. “We have informed Charlotte that Phelan and myself will act as her permanent bodyguards for the foreseeable future.” Keenan looked across to Goren. “My sword, Goren. You have it?”
Goren nodded. “Yes, my King. It has been kept safely.”
“Excellent.” Keenan glanced down at me, his expression serious. “I intend for nothing to harm Nememiah's Child, nor the life of her unborn child.” Turning back to Goren, he inclined his head. “I will need my sword as swiftly as possible, to ensure I am armed against any attempt to reach Nememiah's Child.”
“So let me get this straight,” Joe said slowly, “You'll be able to keep Keenan here all the time?”
I shook my head. “Not solidly, no. But apparently I have the ability to keep spirits here corporeally, for as long as needed.” I glanced around, saw Phelan leaning against the wall listening closely to our discussion. He smiled and waved. “Keenan and Phelan Walker will be my permanent bodyguards for now.”
Ben looked relieved. “That's good news, Charlotte.” He looked towards the wall, following my gaze. “I assume Phelan is here with us now?”
“Yeah. He and Keenan have volunteered to stay with me constantly, to ensure Archangelo can't get to me.”
There was another murmur of discussions around the table and I waited until it died down before I spoke. “You're all aware that the Fae are excellent fighters. You've all accepted one another and lived together here in Zaen for the past few months. I think you're aware that we need all the help we can get, particularly if the Fae, under Aethelwine's rule, join the Drâghici.” Again a muttering of discussions erupted around the table in low voices and I waited for a moment, giving them a chance to settle. “Here's the question I have for you - are you willing to extend our invitation to the Fae, allow them to join us here?”
“How will we be able to tell if they have any ulterior motives?” someone asked. “You can't read their spirits, can you?”
I shook my head. “No. Not unless they willingly allow me to.”
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