𝗦𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲 | 𝗔. 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗼𝗱

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘆-𝗦𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻, 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿

....

The group was trying to track Valentine down to finally stop him once and for all, Maia was missing and it was making Simon worried so they took a visit to Magnus to try and convince him that the Seelie Queen doesn't want peace.

"What's going on?" Magnus spoke as they walked in

"Maia's gone missing, she disappeared from the Hunter's Moon and we think your bestie the Seelie Queen is responsible," Hope stated while crossing her arms

"What would the Queen want with Maia?" Magnus asked the blonde

"She has this crazy obsession with me because of the whole Daylighter thing and then she invited me to live in her court, and I said thanks but no thanks, and then she threatened to hurt the people I care about," Simon explained to the man in return

"She also offered shelter to every Downworlder," Magnus deadpanned to the trio

"That shelter comes with a price, loyalty to the Queen. Maia wouldn't go for that and she wouldn't desert her pack," Luke explained to the warlock

"Maybe she found a lead on Valentine and is off-hunting him down," Magnus suggested making them all protest

"Without telling me?" Luke questioned the warlock

"Come on, Magnus!" Hope stated in defense

"We're not making this up, she's got Maia," Simon stated with a glare

"My warlocks are on the roof, holding up the wards to keep Valentine in the city, I have to go help them but the next time I see the Queen, I will inquire," Magnus stated before they left

Hope had gone with Luke and Simon to the Seelie Realm after Magnus had shut them down, they were brought to where the queen was by the guards. The Seelie Queen scoffed when she saw Hope and Luke with Simon as she just wanted Simon alone

"I assumed you would return, but why is the wolf and Mundane here? They weren't invited," The Seelie Queen scolded as they walked up to her

"Where is she?" Luke asked while looking at her

"Safe and sound," The Seelie Queen explained with a smirk

"Let her go, now," Simon stated with a blank face

"What's the hurry? She's perfectly fine so take off your coat and stay awhile," The Seelie Queen suggested to the group

"Stay awhile? Have you forgotten that Valentine is still on the loose? Every wolf in the city is looking for him, which is why I'm struggling to understand why you're wasting time kidnapping werewolves when you should be out trying to find him yourself unless you already found him," Luke accused while watching her face

"Is that what happened? Did you make a deal with Valentine?" Simon asked the woman

"He wanted to get past the wards," The Seelie Queen admitted with a sigh

"So you gave him passage to Idris?" Hope questioned as came closer

"I wanted to protect my people, even those outside the safety of my realm, we Seelies understand the power of negotiation," The Seelie Queen explained

"Your idea of negotiation is putting the rest of the Downworld at risk, which is just fine by you, isn't it?" Hope asked the woman

"That way, you can rule it all by yourself," Luke stated in support of his adoptive daughter

"You flatter me, Lucian," The Seelie Queen remarked to the werewolf

"I'm not just telling my wolves, I'm gonna tell the entire Downworld and when they find out how you betrayed every one of us," Luke warned the woman

"Go ahead, I have nothing to hide but in the meantime, I would like to have a conversation with the Daylighter," The Seelie Queen stated to the group

"I need to find Maia," Luke stated before walking off

"Maia!" Hope shouted as she and Luke walked

"Whoa, you are not allowed in the Wander Woods," Meliornn stated to the two

"Where is she? Tell me where she is!" Luke shouted at the man

"I do not know precisely, the woods are vast and not to mention dangerous for a..." Meliornn spoke before Luke knocked him out

"Maia! Maia, where the hell are you?" Luke asked before he and Hope went on walking

"Luke!" Maia called out the alpha

"Maia, are you alright?" Luke asked as he reached her

"They took me out here and I've just felt like I've been wandering around here forever, you came too," Maia spoke as she and Simon hugged

"Simon is quite valiant and chivalrous, unlike any of the other Night Children I've ever known, you're all free to leave and my servant will escort you out of the Court to safety," The Seelie Queen stated making Hope look at her

"What's the catch?" Hope asked the woman

"What makes you think there is one?" The Seelie Queen asked the girl

"Luke, let's just go," Simon spoke from beside them

"Nothing here ever comes for free and you never do anything out of the kindness of your heart, hell, you were gonna sell the entire Downworld," Luke explained in a harsh tone

"Let's just get out of here while we can," Maia stated before they nodded

"She's a smart one, you should listen to her before I change my mind," The Seelie Queen stated before they all walked off

Hope followed after Maia and Simon, they had made it back to the portal all in one piece. Hope had gone home to study since she wasn't allowed to attend the party that the institute was having per the Claves' orders. She heard the front door open making her look up to see Alec walking over to her smiling.

"How is Jace doing?" Hope asked making him nod

"He's okay," Alec responded making her smile

"Today was a win on many fronts," Hope added making him smile

"Did Simon ever tell you why the Seelie Queen let you go?" Alec asked causing her to sigh

"No, he didn't and I didn't want to know as I was more worried about you guys," Hope admitted in a soft tone

"I love you, Sunshine," Alec whispered before kissing her

"I love you too," Hope responded before kissing him again

Alec smiled and then pulled away before turning on a movie for them to watch, today was a win and they were going to take that win as much as possible. Hope laid her legs in his lap as she read a book and he watched the movie.

....