Fin had made a promise to Serena and he was about to break it.
He walked into Drakenfell’s command tent like he owned it. Aeron followed a step behind.
Dex’s eyes flared gold the mont he saw him.
Xeon: The arrogance of that pup and his mutt.
King Tiberon erged from his private quarters at that mont.
"Tiberon. I need a word." Fin kept his voice even. "Hyran too, if he’s available."
Tiberon’s eyes flicked from Fin to Aeron, assessing. "Shadowclaw walking into Drakenfell’s command tent in broad daylight. It must be quite important."
"It is. And it can’t wait." Fin’s jaw flexed.
Tiberon gave a curt nod and slid the gold cuff off his wrist.
Fin didn’t want Dexmon there. Sothing about it felt like a betrayal of Serena’s trust. But he needed this addressed imdiately. The longer he thought about it, the worse the feeling in his gut got.
Hyran entered a mont later, nodding at Fin. "Shadowclaw."
"The floor is yours," Tiberon said.
"Are you aware of what Nightspire said to Serena?" Fin began. "The second ti they t. In his tent last night."
"Was it an extension of the conversation from the day prior?" Hyran asked, face darkening.
"Yes." Fin paused. "I want to make sure that is not on the table. I want your word."
Tiberon’s expression didn’t change. "What exactly would be on the table? I need to know what I’m agreeing to before I give my word. I don’t offer that lightly."
Hyran exhaled. "This was on the agenda. Nightspire seems to think Orosia is attacking because Serena exists." His tone turned dry. "He ’didn’t’" —he made air quotes— "insinuate that if she turns herself over, we could cut a deal. He also claid every alpha here would turn her over the mont they learned what she was."
Fin hadn’t heard that part and his eyes flared gold, wolf surging. He shoved Xeon back down with great effort.
"Why does Orosia want Serena?" Dex’s voice was low. Dangerous. His eyes were molten gold, and it wasn’t clear if it was him or Aegon speaking.
"Her blood. Nightspire claid that is why Frostborne was attacked. Judging by how defensive Darkhowler was about the situation, I’m assuming there’s so truth to it," Hyran answered.
He let the words sink in before continuing. "Serena didn’t realize she was the sole reason until that conversation. She asked if I thought they’d hold up their end if we cut a deal. That train of thought was likely why neither Elara nor Darkhowler told her the truth."
Dexmon tensed, eyes burning even darker gold.
Aeron looked at Hyran. "To answer her question, no. They are not to be trusted. If that is true, then they either want an heir with her blood or to harvest her blood. Both result in conquest."
"She’s not going anywhere," Dexmon said, voice no longer singular with Aegon underneath.
Aeron glanced at him with curiosity.
"Nightspire knows who sold Viper’s Kiss to Agnes. He told Serena he’d take her there. And she can bring two people with her, but specifically not Dexmon. The source is in Orosia," Fin said, jaw tight. "If she goes, I’m going with her."
Silence followed that statent. Clearly that was news they weren’t aware of.
Fin felt a tinge of guilt at revealing this part as well. But his wolf, his gut, and his brain were in alignnt. Her emotions earlier told him everything he needed to know. There was more she wasn’t telling him and she wanted to protect him. And she would trade herself over, without a second thought, if it ant saving a continent. Which it wouldn’t.
Hyran responded first. "No, she hadn’t brought that to us yet. Was this last night?"
"Yes. Among other topics," Fin answered. "Nightspire rules through gas. Her mother was brought up before that. A clear manipulation tactic." Fin didn’t continue. His wolf was trying to surface, angry and Fin had to swallow him down.
Xeon: Let out.
Fin: Control yourself.
Xeon: Let. . Out.
Tiberon was silent for a long mont. When he spoke, his voice carried the weight of a verdict.
"You have my word, Shadowclaw. She will not be handed over." His gaze swept the room with the finality of a gavel. "Nightspire does not set Drakenfell’s terms. No one does."
"And if Nightspire provided her with leads on traitors within Drakenfell, she will not be handling that alone. That is Crown business, not hers to shoulder."
At that mont, a rock flew through the entrance of the tent. Or what looked like a rock. It appeared to be a large ruby. A red rose and note were tied neatly on it with red ribbon.
Xeon: What the fuck was that.
Fin didn’t answer.
Xeon: Sothing just flew into the tent. React.
Hyran moved outside the tent to see who had thrown it, but no one was there. He stepped back inside, his hand hovering over the ruby as his eyes narrowed in concentration.
"No dark magic," he confird.
Tiberon picked it up and unfolded the note. His brows furrowed as he read. Then his gaze lifted to Fin.
"When you found Serena the night she nearly died, where exactly was it?" His voice was careful.
"She was in a clearing in the forest," Fin’s eyes narrowed. "Why?"
Tiberon handed him the note, and Fin’s face darkened.
The clearing where we t last.
One hour.
Co alone.
- FS -
Dexmon snatched the note from Fin’s hand, not bothering to hide his irritation.
Xeon: Tell him I will bite his hand off if he ever grabs sothing out of yours again.
Serena entered a mont later, brows furrowed, Elara, Hale, and Gav behind her.
Xeon: There she is. Stand up straighter. Fix your face. No, not like that. Like you’re not trying.
Gav had what looked like a knot on his forehead, and was holding a cold pack to it.
"Oh, you’re still here," Elara said. "We’ll co back."
Tiberon held up his hand. "Wait." His eyes flicked to Gav. "What is it, Sterling?"
"I just got assaulted by a gemstone." Gav rubbed the side of his head, holding up the ruby. His eyes flicked to Fin, but he didn’t say what he was thinking.
"No. I didn’t throw a rock into a tent in broad daylight. If I wanted to speak to Serena, I would walk into your tent and do so," Fin said, tone dry as a bone.
Xeon: We should have thrown a rock. At Dexmon.
Gavriel held his hands up, "You don’t strike as a rock guy. That’s why we’re here. I wanted to scan it for dark magic."
Tiberon pinched the bridge of his nose and exhaled. "I have a council eting on Viremont and yesterday’s battle. Shadowclaw does as well. And if what was ntioned earlier holds any weight, we need to get in front of it."
His gaze swept the room. "Ironholt and Hyran, I need you both in this eting." His eyes moved between Dex and Gav. "You two get to the bottom of this."
Tiberon looked at Serena, eyes flicking to her neck still bruised from the silver, "Your presence was requested at the council eting. I didn’t see you here."
Serena gave him a small smile. "Thank you."
"Shadowclaw. A word." Tiberon said, making his way out of the tent. "Walk with ."
Xeon: No. We stay with her.
Fin ignored his wolf, but he was in agreent. He didn’t want to leave her. He also understood this wasn’t his jurisdiction. As long as she wore that Drakenfell crown, his word only extended so far.
Then he felt Serena’s unease through the matebond. He glanced in her direction, and realized she thought his emotions and the look on his face was directed at her. Like she’d done sothing to upset him.
Xeon: If you don’t go to her in the next three seconds, I will take over and it will be embarrassing for both of us.
His face softened instantly and he closed the distance between them in two steps. He pulled her into a hug, taking her by surprise, not giving a fuck if Dexmon was in the tent or not.
Xeon: Good. Let him watch. Now kiss her on the lips.
He kissed the top of her head, then left, not saying a word.
Xeon: Coward.
Gav watched Fin leave and pressed the cold pack harder against his forehead. The gods had a sense of humor. He was starting to lose his.
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