A Love From A Different World

Chapter 98

So now here Azriel was, at a meeting with the Inner Circle, discussing Cassian's plan, and resisting the urge to glance at Celaena. Celaena, who was sitting right next to Rhysand. It was a drastic change in their demeanor from a couple of days ago. He was not the only one to notice the shift, as Cassian was indiscreetly looking suspiciously between the two of them while explaining his plan to Celaena.

His mate had been silent the whole time, absorbing their scheme with narrowed eyes. Occasionally she'd raise an eyebrow, but was otherwise quiet until he finished talking. "So," she finally said, "You want me to pretend to be the long-lost daughter of some High Lord?"

"Yes. And Another High Lord's sister."

"Let me get this straight, you want to brainwash-"

"Use deamati powers" Corrected Cassian.

"-some High Lord-"

"Beron-"

"-into thinking that I'm his illegitimate child." She looked at him deadpan. "Is that correct?"

"And pretend to be Tamlin's sister."

"And how exactly would that work?"

"Centuries ago, when Beron's wife was caught having an affair with another lord, Beron sought out another lady in revenge. Rumor had it that he sired a child with the Lady of the Spring Court. Beron and Tamlin ferociously denied the rumors, but Azriel's spies confirmed that though no child had been born, Beron had indeed had an affair."

"And so this lays grounds for Rhysand to use his freaky mind-controlling powers?"

"Precisely. You shall be Beron's bastard daughter, thus making you Tamlin's half-sister."

"And," Added Cassian. "With Tamlin's mother dead as well as his father, there would be no one to testify against the claims."

"What about Tamlin? He was old enough to know if his mother was ever pregnant."

"He's a lonely bastard that always wanted a sibling. It will be easy to convince him that his mother hid a pregnancy and then gave the child away due to it being illegitimate."

"Why can't you just kill them instead of manipulating them? It seems so much simpler."

Azriel started smiling until he noticed Rhysand doing the same. Azriel's lips tightened immediately.

"As opposed to popular belief, Celaena darling, not every problem can be solved with murder."

The Shadowsinger bit the inside of his cheek at 'darling'.

"Says you," The blond retorted. "How are you going to convince them?"

"It wouldn't take much, once Beron sees your fire magic, he won't contest the claim."

"So what's the point of using your powers on him?"

"I'm going to make him believe that there really was a child- his child."

"What if it doesn't work?"

At that, Rhysand scoffed. "I was able to break the minds of hundreds Under the Mountain with a fraction of my power. This is nothing."

Ignoring his brother's confidence, Cassian went on. "Beron would do anything for power, and your fire would rate high on his list. And after miraculously finding out that he has a sister, Tamlin will easily agree to anything."

"The other courts already met me, when you hosted the ball." Aelin reminded them.

"Shit." Cassian cursed, "I didn't think of that."

"It makes no difference. They all think I'm a bastard, so it would be no surprise to have found Beron's daughter, hide her fae heritage and then dangle her in front of my enemy. It'd be something I'd normally do."

It was a solid plan. One that Azriel did not like very much- Cassian had been right about that, but it was not his decision. Politically speaking, he'd go with it, but his bias got in the way of his rational thinking. They desperately needed her agreement, but a small part of his heart hoped that she would refuse, just so that she would stay safe.

For a moment, she said nothing. Celaena looked around the table at each one of them. Cassian, who sported a serious look on his face, but his fear was shown in his eyes. At Mor who had never been so quiet, anxiously hoping that Celaena would agree. To Amren who was strangely looking at the girl in hidden affection. At Rhysand; the two communicated silently. And finally, Celaena locked eyes with Azriel. Her beautiful eyes softened.

"When do we start?"