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Harel's face turned red with anger. "I don't need to kidnap women."
"Neither do I," Cavan said smoothly. Too smoothly. "I’m merely continuing the work my father started. To give homes to part Fae women who would be ostracised by humans. He worried they'd be treated badly in the other courts, and gave them asylum. And yet, you come here accusing me of doing something terrible."
He clicked his tongue. "Maybe you should worry about matters of your own court and stay the fuck out of mine." He gave me a sarcastic smile.
"I want to speak to them," I said. "If they're here of their own free will, I'll apologise and be out of Garial before the sun sets again." I couldn't remember a time in my life I wanted to be wrong more than I did right now. I couldn't dismiss the possibility Cavan was telling the truth. There were times when transformed omegas wouldn't have been welcome in any of the courts. If anyone knew what they were.
More than one would have gone to another court and not let on who they really were. Of course, that meant they had to leave their homes, and hope like hells no one ever recognised them. Anywhere offering asylum would have been more than welcome.
"I don't see why they'd want to talk to you," Cavan said. His gaze flicked to Harel and something passed between them. Something that was probably not good.
Since they were being cagey as fuck, I might as well address the second reason for my visit here.
"There is another rumour, just as pressing as the first. It involves the use of magic to change the weather. Specifically extending summer. Even the Summer Court shouldn't be this hot at this time of year."
I fixed my eyes on Harel. "This should be when autumn is at its strongest." I sat back. "Is that why you're here? You want your weather back?"
Harel smirked. "Now I understand. This isn't about missing omegas. You're worried there won't be any more winter in Jorius."
"I'm more concerned about kidnapped women than I am about my magic," I told him. "What has Cavan offered you that you aren't concerned about what he’s up to?"
Harel twitched and I knew I was onto something. I also knew he wasn't going to tell me outright. They were both shady as fuck.
"An alliance," Wornar said softly. "Power over the other courts. Ambition corrupts even the best of us."
"And Harel is far from the best of us," I said without taking my eyes off the Lord of Autumn.
He sneered at me in response.
Very fucking mature.
"Did you come all this way to throw accusations around?" Cavan asked.
"No, I came to speak to those women," I said insistently. "Like I said, if they're compliant, I'll be on my way."
"There is the small matter of the alliance between these two," Wornar reminded me. "What assurance do we have that you're not planning to invade another of the courts?" His expression was uncharacteristically grave.
"I've heard enough," Cavan snapped. "I was gracious to agree to this audience. You've been nothing but rude since you stepped through the door. My guards will see you out." He gestured towards them.
"I thought we were being so polite," I remarked.
"So did I." Wornar looked troubled, but he rose at the same time I did. "I'll take your words back to Thiron." He didn't need to add that the High Lord of Spring wouldn't be happy to hear any of them. They were as good as a declaration of war, or at least intent.
"You do that," Cavan said with a smirk. "If either of you are in the city when the sun rises in the morning, I'll consider it as provocation and act accordingly."
"I think he means he'll have us executed," I said to Wornar.
"Yes, I got that," Wornar agreed.
Before I took a step away from the table I turned and waited until everyone's eyes were on me.
"Your lack of cooperation is disappointing, to say the least. Personally, I have no choice but to believe the information I was given, which is that you are holding omegas here against their will. And that for some reason, you're using them to manipulate the weather. I can only assume that's part of some bigger plan. I will be increasing patrols along my borders, and if anyone from the Summer or Autumn Courts put a toe inside, they will be dealt with."
I paused for a moment.
"If you'd like to reconsider before this matter escalates beyond this, you know where to find me. Better yet, let's put this to rest right now and we can finish that relatively good cake." The cake was underwhelming, but I'd eat it if it prevented a war. To be honest, I'd eat cock if it prevented a war. Even if that cock was Cavan's.
Cavan pressed his eyes closed tightly. "I don't know how I can express this more clearly." He opened his eyes and locked them on me. "Get the fuck out of my palace before I change my mind and have you both executed."
