Silas spoke once everyone was in position. "We are calling this immediate emergency Council meeting because there is proof that Nicholas here has betrayed our people. He has gone against his horde."
Nicholas opened his mouth to speak, but before he could utter a sound, that same shimmering magic covered his mouth. Silas chuckled darkly. For the first time, Archer saw the power in the other man. He had been calm and gentle before, welcoming in a way that Archer had accepted as a fatherly gesture. He wouldn't question now just how strong the dragon was, just how much power he truly had.
"We do not need to hear your words, Nicholas. There is far too much proof to show your ways."
One of the Council members, a woman who didn't look older than her late forties but had to be ancient, given the power around her, spoke up. "As much as we all enjoy seeing Nicholas brought down a peg, can we get on with this? I was in the middle of something and would like to get back to it."
Silas nodded once. "Yes, Titania. We understand. This will not take long."
Silas went about explaining the situation just as Romilly had, that there had been a marked wolf and that it was aimed at Archer. He explained that the Fae had lent a hand, and how Silas and Hadrian had discovered everything. The Council listened without interruption. Their expressions remained neutral, but the energy in the room was darkening. Archer shivered at how it cloaked the space, bringing a sort of power to it he didn't understand and truly didn't want to.
Romilly leaned over, his mouth pressed against Archer's ear. “You are safe, little one. They are mad at Nicholas, not you.”
Archer leaned over, pressing his temple to Romilly's cheek. The connection pulsed more energy between them, and it soothed Archer. He took a deep breath, and the scent that entered his nose was earthy and soothing, like a warm blanket wrapped around him near the fireplace. He blinked rapidly.
What was that?Another question for later.
Silas eventually finished his explanation. Romilly took over from there.
"I believe you have all seen the proof. There is no need for this to go further. Nicholas should be removed from the Council and stripped of the power he has over the horde. I am tempted to strip his dragon powers as well, though that has not been done in so long, and I would like to not cause any chaos amongst our people."
The woman who had spoken before joined in. "We could at least imprison him, so that he does not run off anywhere to warn the Fae. If, down the road, more evidence comes forward and he should be stripped of his power, the rest of the horde will understand. I believe they will be just as furious with him for his betrayal. Your mate is loved, Your Majesty. He holds more favor than Nicholas ever could."
Archer leaned forward at that, his eyes wide. The woman had turned to look at Romilly, but her gaze drifted to Archer. Then she smiled, dipping her head slowly. "Yes, human, you are honored for your position as our king's mate. The fact that you survived a marked wolf and have restored yourself to full health will be even more proof of how perfect a match you are for him."
Archer wiggled on Romilly's lap, happy as could be.
Romilly chuckled, pulling his mate back against him. It was obvious he liked the connection of their bodies as well. The Council members gave a good laugh at his expense, though itwasn't teasing. They seemed genuinely happy for him. The mood in the room had lightened, the darkness from before fading.
Now that a decision had been made, Silas released his grip on Nicholas's neck. He turned toward the Fae healer and, with a single firm nod, shared whatever directions they had previously discussed.
The Fae raised his hands, and his words grew louder. It was some language Archer couldn't understand. He also didn’t understand the energy pulsing from the Fae. His hands glowed, and more of that sparkling mist wove around Nicholas. It swirled as if making a vacuum, a tornado of sorts. The glow brightened so much that Archer had to close his eyes because he couldn't take it. There was a popping noise, and then everything was back to normal.
Nicholas sagged onto the floor, his body heat against the cold tile of the space. The Fae shook their hands out, and Silas motioned for two guards, who had suddenly appeared, to come forward.
"Take him to the prison. Make sure he is secured. A guard must be on him at all times. The Fae will come later to silence him, lest Nicholas try to speak his way out with promises he cannot keep."
The guards nodded, lifting the man and dragging him away. Nicholas didn't speak. Even without the spell binding his voice gone, he was so dejected, so torn down, that he went along with what was happening.
The minute he was gone, the Council stood. They lined up in front of Romilly, and Archer didn't know what to make of it for a moment, until Romilly eased him forward.
“They would like to introduce themselves to you, my mate.”
Archer looked from Romilly to the powerful dragons before him. These people had lived for years and years, centuriespossibly, and they were almost in a submissive posture toward him. This was so trippy, so confusing.
One by one, the Council members stepped forward. They would bow slightly—not so low to the ground that it put him on some huge pedestal, but enough to show they saw and acknowledged him. Archer greeted them all with smiles and waves. No one dared to touch him, which was good, because he didn't want to feel them. Their pulsing energies were enough. He could tell who they were from that alone, moving forward.
Once they finished introductions, the Council members left. Then Soren, Hadrian, and Eden came forward, and Silas joined them.
"Well, that was fun," Eden said cheekily.
Hadrian shoved his shoulder. "Don't be a brat. It was a necessary thing. They were trying to hurt our new bro. We can't let that stand."
Eden swiped at his shoulder as if to wipe away Hadrian's touch. "Yeah, that's true. New little bro cannot be in trouble…especially since he's taken the role as the youngest, so he's like the baby of the family."
Soren rolled their eyes. "Of course he's the baby. He's human. He hasn't been alive long enough. But he will be."
They turned their eyes to Archer, and the amusement there, the shared acknowledgement of the discussion they'd had, made Archer giddy. He bounced slightly on Romilly's leg, then clapped his hands happily.
