“They are an opposing territory leader, of course they will be a threat. The purpose of keeping territory leaders around is so that they challenge each other.” And keep others in line.
I tap my talons against the wood part of the armrest. “And because the Council does not wish to deal with the caretaking of the people in our territories. We provide a solution for you, but the Leonids have repeatedly tested their luck and my patience. Sabotaging materials and businesses, releasing troublemakers within my borders—”
“No claws on the furniture,” Moon cuts in, glaring at my hand. “Without them taking violent action against you, the Council will not condone you to be the first to strike.” He makes a thoughtful sound. “It’s hard to imagine that they’d make such rash moves without some sort of backing. Do they have an ally that rivals you in strength?”
I thin my lips. We’ve considered the possibility, but other than espionage, which takes time, there’s no way to know for sure. “We’re unsure. They want a fae gate. If they do have an ally, it could be anyone.”
Moon nods, gravely serious. “That is alarming. The fae realm is going through its own upset. The courts are lobbying to outlaw the consumption of fellow magical beings.”
I blink in surprise. “Finally, but that only extends the list of possible allies the Leonids could have who want to obfuscate their dealings.”
And these unsavory individuals will only keep on coming. I will have to up the security for all my fae gates.
Moon sighs wearily. “That’s true. Unfortunately, none of this will change the Council’s sentiment.”
I let out a breath of frustration tinged with smoke. “If I were anyone else, what they have already done would be enough for the Council to intervene.”
Moon coughs, waving the smoke away. “I won’t deny that, but it doesn’t change the fact that you are who you are, and the Council won’t care if someone is sabotaging a couple of your operations. Honestly, there’s still a portion that won’t side with you even if the Leonids do resort to violence first.”
Moon only states plainly what I’ve suspected.
I huff in disgust. “Am I really that hated? Still?”
Burn a countryside down in fury once, and no one forgets it.
Moon’s smile is sharp. “You are that powerful. Fear is a strong influencer. There are a few councilors who wouldn’t mind anyone who has been around as long as you have with the influence you hold to disappear. You and I both know that you could easily strike against the Leonids without permission and stand against the Council enforcers when they come for you, but that will risk returning to a time before the Council… and no one wants that. Even you do not want that.”
I can only nod. For all their ills, the Council provides a safety net for paranormals. The net may have holes that leave a few vulnerable still, but it’s better than nothing. Better than returning to a time where rarer paranormals hid themselves from everyone.
“Waiting for them to strike puts my mate at risk.” I pull the words from my chest, bleeding and raw.
Moon’s eyes widen. “You have a new mate?”
I nod. No matter how much pain or sessions with the soul witch it takes to complete the bond, Katarina is my mate.
“And young on the way.” Somehow this is easier to expose to my old friend than the accidental mating that I intend to complete.
The joy lighting Moon’s features soothes the discomfort of revealing my vulnerabilities.
“Truly? A new dragon will be born? Congratulations!” he says. Moon’s eyes transitioning from shock to wonder with an underbelly of sorrow.
It’s a peculiar thing for creatures as old as we are to anticipate the birth of a member of our species. It’s a new beginning, even as we continually try and solve the issue of fitting into the advancing society developing around us.
It’s a hope for the future. That what we are will extend past what we expect. That we will exist.
Moon shakes his head to bring his thoughts back to the details of this meeting. “If it were up to me, I’d give you the allowance to do with the Leonids what you see fit. I can approach the Council on your behalf, but, Kalos, you will not get the votes. I am only one voice, and the majority will be against you either by allegiance or strategy. And the Leonids will be informed of the attempt.”
I hiss in frustration and shake my head. I would not have the Leonids informed prior to my plans.
Moon nods in silent agreement. He arches his brows. “You’ll need to figure out a different way to destroy them. A way where the Council cannot find you at fault.”
“Very well,” I say.
“Cheer up, my friend,” Moon says. “You have so much to be happy about. A new dragon. Fate truly smiles on you.”
My lips pull into a reluctant smile. I haven’t let myself dwell much about our child. It’s hard with my beast closer to the surface and reactive to all the possible dangers. I rub my chest in thought. I will keep both of them safe.
“Perhaps there will be more unicorns in time,” I murmur. “Our world is ever changing.”
Moon’s smile turns sad, and he drops his gazes out the picture window instead of meeting my eyes. “Unlikely. Our last female decided a long time ago that she will not risk trying to birth more children only to lose them.”
Shock has me blinking. Things start to become clearer. Moon’s continued dedication to the Council though he is almost always outnumbered. The lack of his mate to greet me.
“Moon—” I start, but he cuts in with a shake of his head.
“We live separate lives.”
It isn’t rare for immortal mates to have fights and separations from time to time… but it’s not something I ever thought Moon would struggle with.
“I’m sorry,” I say.
“Don’t be. I only wish her happiness.” Guilt and sorrow hint that there is more to the story than that, but we’ve only just reconnected. If I had accepted any one of his invitations over the years, I would have been able to be here for him as he was for me when I lost Ava and Luke.
Moon sighs and changes the subject. “You do have another plan to strike against the Leonids? One that won’t cause me to work day and night to pull your ass out of the fire after the fact?”
I intertwine my fingers in front of me. “If I told you, that would make you complicit.”
My friend’s glare is many things, but there isn’t an ounce of surprise. After a moment of silent lecturing, he must come to the conclusion that he’s imparted a sufficient amount of wariness to me and he nods.
“I wish you luck.”
We may need it.
“WHERE IS KATARINA?” I ask. I’ve already checked her room, and now I’m in the kitchen expecting to find her making a nighttime snack, but the only occupants are Maggie and Jensen sipping tea. I arch a brow at the shifter but he only sips from his mug happily.
Maggie shrugs. “I’ve been taking her meals to the new studio. She’s been working nonstop since this morning.”