Cornelius didn’t pause to grieve for the daughter he’d lost, instead he shouted orders to his men who only stood by and watched his feeble attempt to start a riot. I watched him as he continued to froth at the mouth as his only daughter watched him with anger burning in her eyes. Tears had slipped from her eyes as she mourned her sister. Another group of the lower guards pushed through and took a screaming and struggling Cornelius away to his punishment.
“Abiageal,” I whispered but it was enough to force her eyes from her bitter father’s form. “These are not your sins, nor will we judge you for them. You will join us in a treaty, and I’d like it if you stayed here with the protection of the Horde for a few weeks.”
“My lady,” she mouthed. “I have wronged you, because my family has,” she said as her shoulders slumped. “I should be thrown to the far corners of Faery and our lands should be given to the crown.”
“No; the deeds of the father are not that of the child. Alazander was a bastard, and yet his son is just. Your father misled your sister and walked her down a very dark path and she chose to walk beside him. You did not. You were innocent of these crimes and you shall retain your father’s holdings. You will make a great ruler of his lands. One I am counting on to help us when the time comes.”
I hadn’t realized that everyone was silent, watching me as I spoke to Abiageal. Others had moved away from her as if I’d been ready to accuse her of a crime. By the time I turned back to Ryder, Cailean was there watching me with a guarded look in his eyes.
“Cailean, you’ve been following me. I’d like to know why,” I said as I stood tall and watched him for any sign that something was off.
“I know Faolán and what he is capable of. I have tried to protect you as should be expected of those that guard the royal family. Although I was part of his guard, my primary duty is to the family. You know I shielded you when he found your guardians, and I have been trying to protect you from him for years. I could do nothing when you were given to the Horde King, but I could follow you to make sure you were safe. I was with you when you were in Faery as well, on the last outing. I was following you, of that I am guilty, Princess.”
“Why were you in the woods?” I asked, intrigued to know that he’d been like my own guardian angel.
“Faolán had sent many Mages to track and intercept you. Despite all of your precautions, I fear you still underestimate him,” he said and I stiffened as Ryder growled.
“I mean no disrespect, Horde King, only that I was afraid it would cost Sorcha—Synthia, her life. I meant to keep watch and only intervene if needed. I chose to protect her and appointed myself as her guardian,” he said solemnly.
“And would you die for me?” I asked him as I stepped down onto the floor at eye level with him.
“Yes,” he said without hesitation.
“And would you kill Faolán to protect me and my children?”
“Yes,” he repeated.
“Good,” I said. “As is my right, I choose you for guardian of my children,” I said and smiled.
“My Princess,” he whispered. “I’m honored.”
“Oh I wouldn’t be honored yet,” I said as I wrinkled my nose.
“It’s an honor to protect your children,” he said. “I’ll not let either of them out of my sight.”
“Three of them,” I said with a huge smile as the entire assembly started talking excitedly at once.
Chapter Fifteen
I was seated with Ryder at my side as the babies were brought down the aisle, each wrapped in silk blankets of the same black as the men who carried them wore. It was almost comical for the Elite Guard to be carrying something so tiny and yet so precious to their hearts.
Ristan carried my daughter. Sinjinn carried the dark haired boy, and Dristan carried the blonde haired boy. The entire assembly watched in awe as the first set of triplets in Fae history were brought out and presented to us. I’d been warned about what was coming, and it was tradition, but my heart still leapt to my throat.
In true Fae tradition, the children would be presented to the father, and if he so chose, he’d accept them. This was why Tatiana had hidden her daughter, because the child wasn’t Dresden’s. She’d known he would throw the child out to the elements. I knew her fear, but I also knew Ryder would never reject our precious children. Tatiana didn’t have that reassurance.
I watched as my hulking beast kissed the top of his daughters platinum curls, and then her cheek, which he followed by doing the same to her brothers. When he’d accepted them, he took his seat and one by one, they were handed to us.
I wasn’t sure how Ryder had brought this many Fae here on such short notice, nor did I know if he told them they were coming for an heir’s death, explaining a shift in power, or administering punishment of traitors to the presentation of newborns and potential heirs. The man was good at this; whatever he told them, and the way he’d reached for our daughter when Ristan had tried to move towards me had sent warmth through me that filled my heart.