Forever Fae

Chapter 19 - Ryder

Kalen and I searched for Warren until right before the meeting was supposed to start, and we ended up being the last ones to enter the room. The King and Queen were in their respective thrones while the council members were arranged around the table in the center of the room. The Elvan leader was here, along with his wife; the only council members missing were Avery and Xylia's parents. Merrick was not yet in the room and neither was Calista. I knew she wouldn't miss a meeting, not unless she was that pissed off at me, but I couldn't see her neglecting her duty because of that.

Kalen tapped me on the shoulder. "How long do you think it'll be before they find out if it was Xylia's parents that were killed?" he asked.

As soon as he said it, Merrick and Elvena walked through the Great Room doors looking grim.

"It looks like we'll find out now," I responded.

They both had a look of anguish and heartache on their faces when they somberly walked toward the front where King Oberon and Queen Tatiana were seated.

King Oberon stood and announced, "What have you seen Elvena? Is it true about Raisa and Foster?"

Elvena was teary-eyed, but that didn't stop the strength from coming out in her voice. "It is true. There were two traces I found of ash. One was Raisa's, and the other was Foster's." Her lip trembled and she averted her forlorn gaze to the floor. "Xylia must be told about her parents."

King Oberon nodded. "I agree. She needs to be told." Sighing, he turned his head to the warriors that were lined up against the wall.

"Conall," he called out.

Conall was one of the warriors that fought in the competition to earn the title of Guardian to Princess Calista. He approached the dais and bowed before the king. "What do you need me to do, Your Majesty?"

The King looked sorrowful and apologetic when he responded, "I need you to find Xylia and speak to her. I would ask Calista to go with you, but she's not here yet, and I fear the longer we wait the worse it'll be for her. I know Xylia thinks highly of you and she'll need you there to comfort her. Please tell her we will do everything we can to find who is responsible." Conall bowed to the King again and fled the Great Room in search of Xylia. I could see it in his eyes as he passed that it pained him to have to give Xylia the news of her loss.

King Oberon's voice sounded determined when he announced, "Raisa and Foster will not be forgotten, nor will their deaths be in vain. They were loyal council members and dear friends to the Queen and me. Once things have settled, we will hold a memorial for them and honor them the way they should be honored."

Elvena took that time to speak. "There is more, Your Highness."

The King nodded, prompting her to continue.

"I hate to say it, but Avery is missing as well. Meliantha came to me and asked for a favor. It appears that Princess Calista and Prince Ryder had some reservations about him and I was asked to look around his quarters." Elvena glanced around to make sure everyone was listening to her. "It appears that not only is Avery missing, but he had traces of dark magic around his room. It's the strongest magic I've felt in a very long time."

The room fell silent.

With Avery and Warren both missing, it was starting to look like they were in this together. I did see them talking at the ceremony and if it was true then Warren was definitely a traitor. He was my best friend, but even that wouldn't save him from the punishment of death.

"What does this mean?" King Oberon asked. "Are you saying we've had a traitor beside us this whole time?"

Hesitantly, Elvena nodded and answered, "That's exactly what I'm saying, Your Highness. The magic I traced is the same magic of the sorcerers I felt a century ago. I believe it's what we have suspected all along." She paused, and with a grave expression she revealed, "Another dark sorcerer is in the Land of the Fae."