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He took a step forward. “There aren’t supposed to be any of your kind left. I felt your power, Kaden, and I heard Joseph use the term ‘elf-lord’, but it seems Vojalie’s has just confirmed your true identity.”
Vojalie turned to him then glanced quickly at Kaden. “Have I said too much?”
But Kaden shook his head. “No. The truth was bound to come out over the next few nights. Might as well be right now. Stone should know. And yes, I’m an elf-lord. Or rather, I was at one time. I’ve since renounced the power that corrupted so many. ”
Stone shook his head. “But I thought your kind was extinct. Our ancestors killed the last of you thousands of years ago.”
For a moment, Kaden looked both serious and despondent. “If it’s any consolation, Mastyr Stone, I am the last of my kind.”
“Good to know.” Stone could feel the pinch of his own brows. This was a terrible conundrum for him. “I should turn you over to the Sidhe Council.”
Kaden’s lips twisted into a wry smile. He inclined his head to Vojalie. “The Council knows of my existence. Vojalie runs interference for me and so long as I remain in Ferrenden Peace, I’m allowed to exist. But I keep a very low profile.
“With that said, Mastyr Stone, I wish to assure you that I am a friend to the Nine Realms. Long ago, I supplied power to the resistance movement that allowed the ruling lords to be brought down. I’ve lived quietly and respectfully for thousands of years.”
Stone was relieved to learn that the Sidhe Council already knew about Kaden. Historically, elf-lords were half-gods in terms of power, probably at the level Margetta had achieved in recent decades.
Kaden added, “There’s one more thing. If I’d had the power to counter Margetta, I would have done so. I want you to know that. Also, I have assisted Vojalie and Davido in supporting the mist that has kept Margetta out of Queen Rosamunde’s kingdom, thereby preventing her from gaining access to the elf-lord power.”
Stone thought this through. “So, the power of Ferrenden Peace is also known as elf-lord power.”
“It is. It’s the same power each of us has utilized to sustain the veil of mist around the kingdom.”
“I don’t understand why, if you’re an actual elf-lord, you don’t have sufficient power to battle Margetta. That makes no sense.”
He shook his head. “I am forbidden to access the elf-lord power in that way. It’s a degree of engagement with the power that would turn me into a monster as it does everyone who gives in to its seductive call. But there’s more. If I ever do fully engage, I’ll be executed. I’m bound by very strict rules lest I become a worse threat than the Ancient Fae.” He glanced at Vojalie, holding her gaze. “And I’ve worked hard to fulfi
ll my vows to the Council. Nothing else is more important to me.”
Vojalie smiled, a look of affection on every feature. “I know you have.” She lifted her hand and for a moment, Stone thought she intended to run her fingers through Kaden’s hair.
What the hell?
Kaden was a good looking man and taller by an inch than Stone. He could be a real threat to an ugly, small troll like Davido.
Though Stone knew Vojalie quite well, Davido was like a father to him. He’d been Stone’s mentor from the time he was a boy. So like hell he was going to let Kaden, and all his extraordinary abilities, become a wedge between Davido and his woman.
Stone crossed the space in two long strides and gripped Kaden’s arm. “You need to step away from Vojalie right now. You might have saved my life, but Vojalie’s husband is a man I admire and trust and I won’t have you interfering with their bond.”
Kaden’s lips curved for a moment. He looked supremely amused which only made Stone tighten his grip around Kaden’s arm. “Let her be.”
Vojalie quickly moved away from the elf-lord. Kaden in turn, lost his not-taking-this-seriously expression and nodded. “I accept your rebuke, Mastyr. I’ll mind my manners better. And you’re right.” His gaze shifted to Vojalie. “Davido doesn’t deserve to have any man disrupt his domestic harmony.”
“No,” Vojalie added sincerely. “That he does not.” But even Vojalie’s eyes danced as though sharing a joke with the elf-lord.
No doubt Vojalie had known Kaden a long time, but Stone wasn’t about to condone this kind of familiarity, not in his presence.
Stone released Kaden’s arm aware that his hand was vibrating from the man’s energy.
Vojalie crossed to him suddenly, a warm smile on her lips. Though she was a tall woman, she had to lift up on her tip-toes in order to kiss Stone’s cheek. “How grateful I am that Davido has a friend like you. But you don’t need to worry about Lord Kaden. He will not cross the line. I promise you.”
Stone still cast a hard look at Kaden. “He’d better not.” Of course, Stone had no idea how he’d go about fulfilling a threat to an elf-lord. “Well, that’s settled then. Good. And now, I have a war to get back to.”
But Vojalie caught his arm. “Don’t leave yet, Stone. Actually, I’m here for you.”
“For me? Why?”
She moved away from him and huffed a sigh. “I need you to consider doing something you won’t want to do.”
