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I thought it was just Bowen and Emrick, and the way they treat me. But Maddox and Gerwyn mean just as much to me. Their individual quirks and personalities complement each other so thoroughly, it almost feels too perfect. They’re one unit and it seems they were handpicked by the Spirits themselves.
“Four men? You go from innocent little human to fae queen and claim a harem of hot guys," Jacob jokes, making me gasp in surprise. I shove him and laugh, but he’s right, I do have a hot fae harem. You won’t find me complaining.
“Can we not be called a harem?” Maddox scowls. That only makes Jacob and I laugh harder.
“Agreed, we’re going to be kings, damnit," Emrick grumbles, once again hiding a small smirk.
“She calls us her knights, we could be the Knights of Balance or the Knights of Faerie," Gerwyn suggests, looking deep in thought, facing it head on like it’s a challenge. He gets an adorable look on his face when he concentrates.
“No, no, no. We are far too amazing for such generic names. We need something cool like the Gilded Knights. It’s fitting," Bowen jokes, puffing out his chest and posing.
“Oh, geez. Calm it down ye olde great Fae knights," Jacob says with an eye roll.
“Where are the others?” I ask, realizing we are a few ladies short. He points toward the front of the village.
“They were packing up some more supplies," he says, linking his arm through mine. “Let’s go get them and get this traitorous bastard back to camp. Is stoning someone out of the question?”
“Put this bastard into one of the extra tents, I want guards on him at all times. You can feed him twice a day," Maddox orders the people who greet us at the gate, and two men step forward. He directs them to the tent and barks orders at them for a few minutes. He’s sexy when he’s in his element, eyes fierce and tone commanding.
Pulling my attention away from the fierce Summer knight, I turn to face the group of fae that had clearly expanded in our absence. More must have entered through the portal while we searched for the stone. With a quick count of the group, I realize we have to be at least two hundred strong, with kids and families included, which is nice to see. Though it definitely adds to the pressure I’m feeling.
“I need to go back to the spot of power tomorrow and ensure that the Court of Spring is mending," I tell Bowen. He nods and tugs on my hand until we reach my tent, and stepping out of the spotlight for a few minutes definitely helps.
“I just wanted to get you away from the chaos for a minute, you were looking overwhelmed. River and Gwen are distributing clothes, Jacob and Andras are making sure everyone is fed and has a place to sleep. It’s covered," he reassures me. I slip off my boots and sit on my bedroll, taking a beautiful moment of quiet to relax. Bowen pulls me into his arms after settling down next to me. In his embrace I just feel love and comfort, no awkwardness at all, and coming from the queen of awkward moments, it’s a miracle. It’s like he was made for me and me alone, and as selfish as it sounds, that thought makes me so fucking happy.
“Tell me how you are really feeling about all this, Bo. I still feel guilty,” I say, confessing my slight worry. When I look up at him, waiting for rejection, he turns to face me and gives me a hard look.
“I was honest every time. Stop feeling guilty for something Faerie decided," he says firmly. “And more than that, I guarantee you feel the same way about me that I do about you.”
My heart clenched at the thought of him wanting me in the same way, but I had to get past the rest first. “She didn’t, I think I did it when I touched you.” He shakes his head and laughs, like I’m being ludicrous.
“You are far too hard on yourself. I chose you before you even chose me.” His eyes meet mine and I swallow hard, heat blossoming through my chest at his words. No longer is he wearing a mischievous grin, this one heated and possessive. My body perks up at the sight, instinctively leaning into him. When he crushes his lips onto mine, it makes my toes curl. His kisses are commanding yet sweet. In mere seconds I lose myself in them, forgetting about my guilt and worries.
“Bella? The people are asking about a council meeting," Gerwyn’s voice drifts into the tent and he lifts the flap. He blushes when he realizes he interrupted our kiss. But there’s a look of lust I didn’t really expect from him, at least not yet.
“Tell them to spread the word that we will hold a meeting at breakfast tomorrow," I respond without hesitation. “Tonight I need rest.” It’s weird having the answer come to me so easily, but if Bowen can put his faith in me, then maybe I can too.
“I will. We will all join you guys in a few minutes,” he warns with a smile, before hurrying off.
True to his word, the others file in ten minutes later, stripping off their boots and shirts, before joining Bowen and I on the bedrolls. Exhaustion crashes into me as we all settle in, just having them all here makes me feel safe and whole. Once my eyes close, I fall asleep within seconds, in my first king’s arms.
“We are about to hold our first council meeting. I want at least six volunteers to be on my council. That is not including my guards and Prince Jacob. Please spend the rest of breakfast thinking over who you think would best represent you. I want each person suggested to at least be backed by several others, we have to trust in each other for this to work. This is not the place to do a power play, I want honest and trustworthy councilors,” my voice projects to the crowd I’m facing, and I put every ounce of hope and determination in it. I refuse to work with assholes and I hope that setting the ground rules now will help keep corruption at bay. Faerie has seen enough of that.
With the talk over, I settle down in my seat to finish my breakfast. Maddox gives me an approving smile, and I hate to admit how nice that feels. The rest of our people are louder than usual, and more than once I hear some gentle arguments on candidates, which I take as a good sign.
When breakfast ends, I call forward the chosen candidates, I have nine individuals in front of me, hoping for a spot. Tapping into my magic, I hope that with my increased levels, I can feel the intentions of those in front of me. It’s a long shot, but if I can weed out hostility, then I’d take it. No need to repeat the Allwyn mistake twice. And Faerie made it clear that my magic was important.
I slide my magic out to meet each of the candidates’ powers. Three people have a murky darkness to their magic. Anger and distrust flows from them so intensely I shudder at the disturbing thickness. It gives me little reason to want them on my council. It’s also my duty to protect the people, and protecting them means keeping them safe from corrupt councilors as well.
“You three may leave. I have no place in my council for those who wish to see us fail. I’m not the enemy," I state, pointing out the three my magic rejected. They glare at me and walk away, thankfully not causing a scene. But if they had, Emrick is standing next to me, his presence alone intimidating. I bet he looks even scarier using his magic.
“Well done, Bella,” Gerwyn praises, giving me an approving smirk before looking back at our candidates.
Biting back a giddy smile, I turn to my friends standing behind me. “Andras, please join the council. That makes ten, which is perfect. Thank you for agreeing to help bring Faerie back, your assistance is greatly appreciated. Let’s all make our way to the stone plateau and discuss a few things away from the others.”
Once we all make it to the original meeting space of the councils before us, I look around at my new team. “Welcome! Could everyone introduce yourselves? Also, please explain what skills you have that can help us. Then we will proceed with the rest.”
Jacob, Andras, and my knights introduce themselves first. Jacob gets a few curious looks, but no protests. He’s very clearly human and I knew I at least owe them some form of explanation. But that can wait until I know who I’m speaking to.
