Chapter 06 - The King's Council

Soren seemed even angrier with each step. I followed him all the way to the castle doors. At the first opportunity, I distanced myself from him and began searching for my room.

Twyla had mentioned that Soren might see me in the presence of the council tonight. But Obsidian said the council was already present. I don't know who they are, but I believe I'll soon learn everything Twyla couldn't tell me.

I walked for several minutes, didn't find my room, and now I have no idea where I am. I don't want to be in front of the king's council before composing myself. I'm disheveled, and my dress is wrinkled from Soren's hugs and kisses. Damn it! Now I'm sweating.

"I need Lumina and Veridian now!" I shout and stomp my foot in a fit of anger and desperation.

I muffled a scream when the two young women materialized in front of me. Veridian had her hands positioned as if carrying something and looked surprised at her empty hands.

"Miss Thalassa," Lumina was the first to compose herself, bowing to Thalassa, and then Veridian did the same. "Do you need us?"

I was still open-mouthed.

"Can you appear when I need you?" They exchanged glances.

"It wasn't us, Miss," Veridian replied. "You brought us here." Lumina clarified, "We were still arranging your new things, and we heard your voice saying you needed us now."

"And then... poof! We appeared here," Veridian added.

They seemed as surprised as I was.

"It's just that I'll be in front of the king's council shortly," I explained. Both of them widened their eyes. "I don't want to appear like this."

Lumina and Veridian guided me back to my room. Even without knowing how much time I had, I wanted to take a quick bath. I always feel renewed and more secure after a bath.

I ask them to choose an outfit they consider suitable for the occasion. Swift and efficient, the two brought a long black dress, a black cape, and a pointed hat.

They combed my hair into a bun with a few loose curls. They helped me put on knee-high boots.

My reflection in the mirror looks like someone else. Perhaps it's the effect of the magic I managed to perform an hour ago. But I can finally see a magical being in the mirror. The perfect makeup Veridian applied is light but gives me a more confident air.

I'm barely ready when there's a knock on the door. I feel inexplicable relief seeing Draven. For a moment, I feared they would send Obsidian to fetch me. He, too, is dressed entirely in black, except for the gold details on his cape's shoulders.

As he greets me, he smiles, with a smile as beautiful as Soren's. Shockingly, I realize they resemble each other. However, Draven's hair is dark.

"Hey, don't be so disappointed just because I'm not Soren." He laughs mockingly.

I try to maintain composure, but I must have turned very red because he laughs even more.

"I didn't think you were Soren. Why would I think that?" I avoid looking into his eyes.

"You two made Twyla summon the King's council without Soren's permission." He offers me his arm, and I let him guide me. "You know, I've never seen my brother interested in anyone. He's broken a lot of rules since you arrived here."

So, they are brothers. How did I not notice the resemblance before?

"I've only seen Soren twice since I arrived in Eldoria. We didn't do anything wrong." I try to justify myself and not blush when I remember what we did earlier. I still feel his hands roaming my body.

"I think so too." Draven winks at me with a smile. I think he must have difficulty following rules. "But Soren is bound by many chains. He's not free to choose."

We walk the rest of the way in silence. There are many things on my mind now, and it seems the same is happening to Draven.

We arrive at large golden doors with silver carvings and gemstones forming an eagle. Statues of two winged horses frame the portal. Guards are stationed in front of the door, but they lower their spears and allow us entry.

Draven leads me into a hall. The King's Council Chamber is a majestic and imposing space adorned with richly woven tapestries that tell the kingdom's stories. A large golden throne with griffin carvings on the sides and a phoenix at the top of the backrest is the most attention-grabbing. There's also a large crescent-shaped oak table, polished to the highest shine. Around the table are ten imposing chairs, each carved with intricate details indicating the importance of its owner.

Draven takes me to a solitary high-backed wooden chair, padded with red fabric. I sit, and from here, I see the large throne on my left and the smaller ones on my right.

There are only five people in the room. Draven, Twyla, a very old man with long beards, another man with very long and straight hair, black on one side and white on the other, and a very blond man with sparkling blue eyes. There are ten smaller thrones, but six are empty, leaving several gaps between the present councilors.

After a few minutes of absolute silence, where I feel everyone's eyes on me, a guard announces the king's arrival. Everyone stands, and so do I.

He comes followed by a slender man who sits at a small table away from everyone and takes out a feather and parchment.

Soren sits on the throne and with a gesture, allows us to sit. Then, the black and white-haired man stands and faces the king, bowing.

"Lord Soren, King of Eldoria, the council today convenes to interrogate the chimera Thalassa Veilheart, seeking information about her time with the notorious thief Malachai of Thundervale."

"Proceed," Soren seems even more irritated and hasn't looked at me once.

"Miss Veilheart, I am Rudolph Zev." I nod, already feeling nauseous.

"I would like to know, miss, when did you meet Malachai?"

"Since forever," I answer honestly. "I mean, I don't remember my mother. And as far as I can remember, I lived with Malachai. He said his name was Simon and that he was my father."

"What was your relationship with him?" Rudolph asks.

Wow. That's a difficult question to answer. Malachai was never really a father like the ones I saw on television.

"I think we were maids to him." My voice begins to falter. I know my eyes are moist. I fight not to cry. "We took care of the house, did the household chores."

"Still, you lived in his house until the age of 23?"

"We wanted to leave. But he found us. Even when we called the police, he convinced them to take us back home. No matter how far we went, he just showed up and took us back."

"Never thought of using your magic to get rid of him?" Rudolph approached me, and his eyes seemed to glow

like a dog's in the dark.

"I don't have magic, sir. Well, I didn't have. I never imagined there were magical realms, witches, fairies, and all that."

"You said you didn't have magic. Do you have it now?" Rudolph breathed as if he could sniff me.

"I don't know, maybe." I felt people in the room straightening in their chairs. Now everyone openly looked at me.

"Can you be clearer, Miss Veilheart?" Rudolph demanded.

"Well, I think today I managed to bring Lumina and Veridian to me. I was lost and desperate, and then I thought about how much I wanted them to appear, and it happened."

Everyone in the room exchanged glances, including Soren.

"Admirable. There are experienced witches who couldn't perform this feat."

I don't know what to say and remain silent. Rudolph comes to me, grabs my hand, and impulsively makes me stand. I scream when I feel his mouth on my neck. He inhales deeply with his mouth and nose, and I shudder. With the same speed, he moves away from me. I'm completely shivering.

"She's not a wolf." He announces to everyone. I sit with my body still numb.

Rudolph bows to Soren and sits on his throne. Twyla gets up and comes to me.

"Are you okay?" She takes my hand and strokes my face. "Rudolph is a werewolf alpha; he can recognize a wolf even if it's disguised by magic."

"I'm fine, it was just a little unexpected." But I can't help but keep talking while I adjust my clothes. "That's why I saw he was sniffing me, and the glow in his eyes like a night dog."

When I raise my head, I see everyone looking at me in shock. Did I say something wrong?

"Did you see that when he touched you?"

"No. I saw it when he was asking me questions." Silence prevails, and for a few seconds, everyone continues to stare at me. "Did I do something wrong?" I ask Twyla in a lower voice.

"No." She whispers and then says aloud for everyone to hear. "It's a rare ability. So far, it's recognized that only King Soren can do that."

I have difficulty breathing and start to pull air through my mouth gently, trying to disguise my despair.

"Exactly." The blond man with blue eyes stands up and walks slowly toward me. "Isn't it impressive that someone who never had the power to get rid of a fairy now begins to display so many impressive abilities?"

I don't think I like him.

Twyla steps back and returns to her place. The blond man stands in front of me, his blue eyes sparkling like gemstones. So vivid as if they could see through me.

"Tell me, Thalassa, why are you trying to seduce the king of Eldoria?"