A Court of Heritance and Destiny

Chapter 15 Ikarad

The room had a pressing silence over it, the type of silence that passed over silence to a deafening quiet. One that made his ears hurt and the room became too small. Etera laid over his feet in wolf form, he felt her own nerves and tension as they waited for someone to speak in the room. His mother had shared everything relevant to this to their closest allies and friends.

He saw how High Lord Helion rested his chin on his folded hands, his brow deep in thought over what had been said. Viniane and Kallias looked the same, and their twins looked at one another, Isaac and Slone were both a split image of their parents.

Then it was Thesan and his mate. Ikarad looked over to his own brother, hoping that Nyx could find some support in knowing that Thesan had gone out public with his preferences. Sure it had taken the High Lord centuries, but it had been done. Tarquin with his cousins looked the most worried over what just had been shared. The white haired group moved uncomfortably in the tense room.

Do you think there's a knife sharp enough to cut the air around us? Etera asked down the bond,

I don't think so... He felt how she sat up and rested her head in his lap, absentmindedly he started to stroke her head. Acting like he was only petting his wolf.

"How?" It was Helion who broke the silence. "How did any of this happen?"

"We don't know." Ikarad bit the inside of his chin as his father admitted to that. "No wards were broken, no scents, nothing. It was like this thing entered and left like a ghost."

"Our research has come up empty, but I suspect that your own collection might have some volumes that we don't have access to here." Gwyn spoke up, "We have many scholars who would love to take the chance."

"My own scholars can do that work. But it will take time, we don't even know what we are dealing with here." Helion said back.

"Any help is appreciated." His mother spoke up, her voice so broken and tired. His hand stopped on his mate's head as his heart cried out over their own grief.

"I can't even imagine how it must be for you." Viviane spoke next. "To think that the worst was over... Only to..." She stopped herself, and Ikarad noticed how Kallias stern face softened as his mate talked.

"Our Spies are to your service." The High Lord of Winter said. "It might not be much, but I hope they can help."

"Everything is of help." Rhysand answered, "Big or small."

"I don't think my court has much to offer, except for support." Tarquin added. "We have no vast libraries or spies to help."

Lier. Etera huffed and stood up. Most of the guests moved their eyes to the large wolf that walked around their owner. They have one of the most sophisticated networks on the island. Ikarad snapped his fingers, pointing to the ground next to his chair.

I think they all got the point, love. He held his eyes on the High Lord of Summer. "She gets restless sometimes." Tarquin nodded and turned back to the others around the table.

"And this connection to Tamlin?" Thesan asked, "How believable is it?"

"We don't know." Orion was the one who spoke now. "It is a theory, but nothing has confirmed it yet. And frankly it might just be a coincidence."

One that is too good to miss. Ikarad shook his head.

Sometimes I ask myself why you are stubborn enough to stay in a form during a meeting like this.

Because I would offend everyone at least twice.

True.

"We have looked for over a month now, with no results. Vega is not in the Spring Court." Feyre told them. "That is why we are asking for your help."