Lion and his mate

Otherworldly eyes from legend old

Story begins from moment where Rowan and Dorian are about to meet Rolfe and as well Gavriel and Fenrys

Silence fell and each of Rowan,Rolfe and Dorian thinked about same...
But in moment they heard footsteps in front of the door and both of Rowan and Dorian felt magic ancient,wild and powerful and Dorian slowly more and more fell in his magic,gain his power,just in case. Then door opened and two massive golden haired males shows up.
Dorian tensed as Rowan was snarling at males...they were fae.
One with onyx-dark eyes said just smiled and said, "I think I liked you more with longer hair." Only answer was dagger piercing an inch from ear of that male. Dorian didn't see Rowan trowing a blade until blade thudded into wood door,in fact he was also suprised when Rowan gained more weapons in his hands,sword in one and axe in another,still snarling at the sign of two males.
Other one,lifted his tattooed hands and with stead and calm voice said "Rowan,put your weapons down,we are not here for you."
Rolfe just said drily "Well I guess I don't have to make interaction between you,obiviolsy you all know each other well. Very well as it seems."
Dark-eyed male mockingly with grin said "Indeed we do.",and so does male with golden eyes nodded.
In clothings with golden-eyes male,Dorian noticed few familiar things with Rowan's clothings and cringed at sight of male's tattoed neck for from distance it would be seems as collar.
Rowan,trough teets said "Gavriel and Fenrys used to..work with me."
Rolfe just nodded,scanning them with his sea-gren eyes then Rowan turn to Dorian and said "They are blood sworn to Maeve,as I myself used to be."
Then again he turned to Gavriel and Fenrys said little coldy "What is your business with Rolfe?"
"They bring me news,"Rolfe said , "News I promised you-among other things."
"And we were just about to sitting down to lunch.",Fenrys said with these dark eyes sparkling,"So shall we?"
Gavriel said "It's a long tale which you and " there his golden eyes scanned Dorian, " king of Adarlan must hear. And you yourself you know how Fenrys knows to be cranky when he don't have lunch at the time."
"I heard that.",deep voice coming from hall and Gavriel answered "You were supposed to."
Dorian hold his smile,watching reaction of Prince,but Rowan just only jerked head at Gavriel in silent order to lead the way.
None,not even Rolfe spoke to them as they entered dining room,even barmaid was gone and Fenrys already made his way to the table,to his dinner for something that smelled like fish stew,waiting for them.
Gavriel said slowly,as he thinked good and long about his next words "Is Aelin Galanthyius with you?"
Dorian lifted his head scanning males and at the same and little watching Rowan's reaction but Rowan just shook his head once,a swift,cutting move "My queen is not in our company."
Fenrys just for the moment looked in Rowan then continued with his meal.
Rowan didn't bother to ask indirectly,but quickly and sharply said " Tell me whatever these news are,now."
"Maeve's armada sails for this continent.",Gavriel said and Dorian have been grateful for not having food in his stomach.
Rowan's words were sharply and cold as he asked "Is that bitch allying with Morath?"
"No.",Gavriel answered.
"I told you,I want no part in this war.",Rolfe said,just to his credit.
Then Gavriel added "As you already know,Maeve isn't sort of to share power with someone. But before we left,she was readying her armada to leave-for Ellywe.
Dorian asked none particularly "But why? Is it really possible that she could be  sending aid?",but then he looked at Rowan's face and he knew that Rowan has already start to calculating every fact,everything he knew about Ellywe and his former queen in one.
Fenrys,raising his spoon,said "I nearly doubt that she's been sending aid to anyone and again,she didn't tell us her specific reasons."
"But she always tells us. She's never contained information like that.",Rowan quickly added and Fenrys answered "That,was before you humiliated by decision to leave her with Aelin Galanthyius. She trust none of us now."
Ellywe...Maeve for sure had to know how dear is that kingdom to Aelin but gain the whole armada,it must be something there. Dorian ran in his mind trought every lesson that he learned about Ellywe and every book he has been read about it but nothing particularly came out.
******
"I just wish to know whether Her Majesty,Queen of fire,expects a grand parade when she arrives here.",Rolfe said.
Dorian doubted for Rolfe that he would like her other title "Adarlan's greatest assassion".
"She is not coming here",Rowan said with annoy and sharpness in his voice.
"Oh so you telling me that send her lover to rescue king of Adarlan and instead taking him to the North,she told him to bring him here and it doesn't somehow I am to play a host to her?"
At mention of "lover",Rowan gives Fenrys a deadly stare.
Beautiful male,there is no really other way to describe him,just shrugged.
But then Rowan said "She asked me to bring king Dorian here to persuade  you to join in our cause. But as it seems,you have no interest in joinning us,so this trip here was useless. So we have no use of you for this table in case you have one or two news to tell us. You are dismissed.",Rowan flicked his eyes on stairs behind Rolfe.
Fenrys choked on dark laugh but Gavriel slightly tensed as Rolfe kissed at prince "I don't care who you are or whatever hell of power you yield,you do not give me orders on my territory."
"You'd better used to them",Rowan said with "calm" voice which made every Dorian's instincts to run," because if Morath wins in this war they will not be contained to let you flounce about these islands,calling yourself king. Who shall your buyers be when there are no one left to purchase your goods. I doubt Maeve will,if she even gonna remember you."
Rolfe snapped "If these islands fall,we are gonna sail to another and another, seas are my haven,on the them,we will always be free."
Rowan just tilted his head and said "I'd hardly call your running and cowardice to stay in your tavern in fear of Valg assassians,free."
But then Pirate Lord just said to Fenrys and Gavriel  "We will meet here tomorrow at eleven.",and when his gaze passed to Rowan,he said "You may stay until your queen arrives,which I have no doubt that she will and then I will hear what her majesty have to say. Until then,get the hell out of here.",and then he pointed out of the door.
Rowan just stared one long moment down to man,and then raised from chair showing Gavriel and Fenrys way  .
But then,Rowan heard familiar voice in his head saying "Looks like you have quite party there. Do you mind if I'm joining to you?"-"No not at all,in fact I can't wait for reaction of khm certain men.",Rowan answered and then heard how that female voice chuckled "Oh they are not all men are they?"-"Not at all."
All of them saw how Rowan stopped and looked like he is in deep thoughts,Dorian just smiled because female voice also spoke to him but Rolfe,Fenrys and Gavriel didn't heard anything so they looked at prince and he noticed and said "One...person will arrive now."
"So it is Aelin.",Rolfe snapped.
"Of course not,friend of old it is.",and with that words they all heard footsteps which they were like storm coming and then door opened and one tall figure,female figure,as Rolfe,Gavriel and Fenrys noticed,in cape more dark than darkest nights,stepped in while saying "Well well well,look who we have here."
Fenrys and Gavriel at one single straight moment raised their weapons and Rolfe was about to do the same and just when Fenrys was about to trow dagger at her,figure through her cloak just looked at them,eyes glowing from dark and their weapons feels so hot like a burning Sun in their hands that they had to drop them,looking then furiously at figure.
Female figure just darkly chuckled,while removing hood on her cloak,showing herself.
Rolfe,Gavriel and Fenrys gasped in union for they haven't seen female so..well they didn't have words to describe her at the moment,but she was like no other female they have seen before,not even like Aelin.
She was nearly 6'6 tall,her hair,all gods,they haven't seen colour of hair like hers before,her hair was like dark purple sky with stars on them and her eyes..her eyes caught most attention and it wasn't so surprising for her eyes were like two suns looking at them,scary and violent,not even glowing in their full might. They were red-golden. Twin scars across her left eye like memory of something really really bad.Her clothing was also thing that they still were tensed,because she wasn't just just random girl,some lady or something,she was warrior,she was steel,she was destruction for herself,just like them,but somehow deep down in their selfs,they knew she could kill all of them and more. She had sword on her back and two long knives with sword too,but they knew she probably have more of weapons. Then she said with voice,calm but powerful,steady but still violence following with it, "There is no need for weapons. Unless you want to fight with me but I wouldn't that if I were you at the moment.",with her eyes glowing in mystery way ," not any other",she added more like for herself than to them.
"Who the hell are you?!" Rolfe back from shock at her appearance.
"That's for me to know and for you to dot dot dot.",female said grinning and as it seems Rowan and Dorian with her.
Rolfe just snarled furiously and she just looked at him,raising eyebrow while saying "Gods,someone is cranky. I am Nemesis."
"What kind of name is that?" Gavriel  asked and she just said "Ancient and powerful one.", and then added "Not all of us are coward,my story will remain secret, for this is all you have to know now,I'm in company of her majesty of Wildfire,but I am here now,because of them. I am no enemy,unless you don't make me to be. Prince could tell you himself"
Rolfe,Gavriel and Fenrys looked at Rowan and he said "It is true of what she's speaking. Mala Lightbringer questioned her and she was proved that she is no enemy to the light and those who will fight for freedom of this world. But I can assure you,even Mala knows that she is powerful one,I would not antagonize her if I were you. But more of that later. Nemesis will be joinning us and you",then he looked at Rolfe"more of your questions will be answered but in the time. Now,shall we?" And then he lead the way along side with Dorian and Nemesis,putting his shields around him and Dorian,around Nemesis he didn't for fact he knew she quite capable of defending herself, and Fenrys and Gavriel follow them upstairs to the room . While he went silent,thinking about everything that has been said on meeting,Nemesis spoke to him and Dorian in their minds, telling them "Aelin and others are on their way as you well know. And about this,dark cloud is now close more than ever,we must he ready as well as we can.", and Rowan and Dorian in union answering "I know."
Rowan stopped and opened the door of one room and while they were stepping into her,Fenrys looked around and purrs "Which royal has been paying for this room Rowan?" Dorian stiffed and Gavriel just sigh like he is tired,saying "Gods,Fenrys stop!"
Rowan answered "Does it make any difference?"
"Someone's got to have money for this war",Fenrys purred watching Rowan how he lean on the wall near the door,"Why we don't have lights by the way?"
Rowan stood up to light up candles and Nemesis stopped him saying "I will do it" and in his head "It's time for little presentation don't you think?"
Rowan just smiled and said "As you wish"
They were watching how Nemesis puts candles into candlesticks and carrying them to different places in the room and then returning to the middle of the room saying nothing.
They said nothing for one moment and then Fenrys "Maybe it's different on this continent,but I am quite sure you must light them up."
Nemesis just purred "Oh but I will.",and she stayed focus just for one moment while Gavriel and Fenrys watched her curiously and then she opened her eyes and they gasped together. Fire suddenly came into her eyes glowing and with that moment with something thundering from her to the candles,candles at once lighten up in purple-red flame.
"Would that be all?",Nemesis asked Fenrys grinning like cat on beacon,enjoying in shocked look on his face. "How did you...." "Light up the candles?"Nemesis finished,"it's actually quite simple,I could did that in less dramatic way but I guess I desired to see some shocked faces here. By the way,continue."
And with that words, she sit down in chair looking at them all with here eyes back in normal.
"Whatever",Fenrys shook his head and saying ,"What was I about to say is that maybe you'll be moving in more...economical quarters,considering yestreday-decret from Morath."
Gavriel said "Mind your own business Fenrys."
Fenrys just snorted "How you even manage to walk with all this steel on you,has been always mystery to me."
Rowan smoothly answered "How no one has ever cut your tongue just to shut you up has always been mystery to me as well."
Nemesis chuckled from chair and Dorian let low laugh-first sound like that Rowan had witnessed from the king.
"Oh I've been told it's my best feature."Fenrys said while grinning  at the prince ,"At least woman thinks so."
Nemesis and Rowan roled their eyes and Rowan asked "How did you kept your scent hidden?"
Gavriel's golden eyes darkened "A new trick from Maeve,to keep us nearly invincible in a land that does not receive our kind warmly."
He jerked his chin at Nemesis,Dorian and Rowan "Though it seems it's not wholly effective."
Rowan said "You better have a good damn explanation for arriving here and dragging Rolfe in whatever this is."
"Your get everything you want and yet you are still stone-cold bastard.",Fenrys drawled ,"Lorcan would be proud."
"Where is Connal?"Rowan mockingly answered and Fenrys's face tightened "What do you think? Someone of two of us is always the anchor."
"She'd stood keeping him like as collateredif you didn't make your discontent so obvious."
Fenrys has always been a  pain in his  ass. And Rowan had not forgotten how Fenrys was the one who wanted to train Aelin at the first place,before that task was given to him. Fenrys loved every thing that was wild and beutiful and to dangle Aelin before him. Maeve had known it was a torture. Perhaps it was torture too,to letting Fenrys from Dorannele,leading him knowing what would happend to his twin if he don't come back.
It was how queen caught them at the first place.
Offsprings were rare among fae,but twins? Even rarer.
And for twins ti be gifted by dominance and strength to be parallel with centuries-older fae warriors...
Maeve had coveted them. Fenrys refuse offer to serve her by blood oath but when she caught Connal,quite different from Fenrys,dark to Fenrys's gold,quiet to Fenrys's roar,thoughtful to Fenrys's reckless, Fenrys give blood out to her,just because of his twin.
Fenrys had always everything he wanted-women,wealth,glory.
Connal,though skilled,was forever in his twin-shadow and when Maeve approached to him with offer of blood oath,while Fenrys was in war with Akadians,Connal had sworn it.
And when he returned from war,Fenrys find his brother bound to queen and learned what Maeve forced him to do behind her door-Fenrys gives her blood oath to get Mave back of his brother.
From century now Fenrys had served in queen's bedroom,chained by invincible chains that hold him and his twin.
Rowan might liked that male,might respect him-if it wasn't his mouth.
Fenrys then asked innocently,aware that he had not answer on Rowan's question, "So are we soon  to call you King Rowan now?"
Gavriel murmured "Gods above Fenrys." He gave the sigh of the long suffering and added before Fenrys got the chance to answer " Your arrival,Rowan,was fortunate turn of events?"
Rowan turned and faced male behind him,to read name from eyes of golden-haired warrior. Gavriel then asked "Where is Lorcan?"
"I don't know.",Rowan answered. And it was true. He had no idea where that cold-hearted bastard was.
Gavriel looked him for a one moment and said "You don't know but you have seen him,didn't you?"
Rowan glared back at male saying "I did"
Fenrys lost patience "Are we really gonna play truths and lies?! Just tell us bastard!"
"Watch your tongue boy. You might well lose him.",Nemesis snapped and everyone looked at her for a moment and she smiled poisonous-sweet.Fenrys watched her annoyingly and Gavriel let low laugh and she met his eyes. Red to golden.
Gods help them if Aedion and Fenrys ever sat in a room together,Nemesis thinked. Such a temper  would roast every city they would have been.
Rowan said "Are you here on Maeve's command-ahead of the armada?"
Lion of Dorranele shook his head "Our arrival here has nothing to do with armada sailing for this continent. She sent us to hunt him. You already know what crimes he committed."
An act of love. Only twisted way in what Lorcan could love things. Only in twisted way he loved Maeve
(😣🤢😧).
"He claims to be doing in her best interests.",Rowan said casually,aware of king seated behind him. For he knew Dorian's value was not just in his raw,godly magic that could compare even to Aelin's but his heart and sharp mind.
"Lorcan's always been arrogant in that way.",Fenrys drawled ,"but this time,he crossed a line."
"So you've been sent here to bring him back?" Nemesis asked.
Gavriel met her stare and his tattooed neck bobbed with every word as he said "No,she sent us to kill him."
"Well that is not surprise.",Nemesis murmured and Rowan froze.
Holy gods.
Well that's explain two of you.",Rowan said.
Fenrys tossed his hair out of his dark eyes "Three actually. Vaughan left yesterday to fly north,while we take South."
Vaughan-in his osprey form,could cover mora lands easily and quick.
"We landed in this shithole town to see Rolfe if he has been dealing with Lorcan,to bribe him to tip us if Lorcan should come trough here again,looking to hire a boat. Telling Rolfe about Maeve's armada was part of the plan to convince that bastard.
Since this lands are rather large-we would appreciate any inkling about his general,Prince."Fenrys flashed Rowan with smile.
Rowan debated,calculating, and he asked in his mind Nemesis for advice and she answered to him "Do as you wish Prince you know them better than I do but of course I don't think you would tell them something more than you will tell them now,will you?"
Rowan shrugged "I washed my hands of you in spring-Lorcan's business are his own."
Fenrys snarled "You prick..."
Gavriel cut in "If we could bargain?"
Something like pain flashed trough lion's tawny eyes and Rowan looked at him and so did Nemesis in Rowan,waiting for his reaction,of all of them,of all "cadre",Gavriel was probably the only one who was his true friend.
Rowan debated if he should tell him about his son,maybe that should make any difference to bargain but again....he just said "Did Maeve given you leave to bargain-in use to kill Lorcan?"
"She ordered us to kill him,she didn't mentioned your queen. So that amounts to a yes."
Rowan crossed his arms "You send me army of far of Dorranele warriors and I will tell you where is Lorcan and what are his plans."
Silence fell on them and then Fenrys snorted letting harsh laugh "Mother's tits Rowan,even if we could,armada has already been taken. "
"Then I have to pleased with you two."
Fenrys burst out in laughing "What-work for your queen-fight in your battles?"
"Isn't that you wanted Fenrys?",Rowan fixed male with his cold stare , "To serve my queen?. Well now you have a chance to do so."
Nemesis burst in laughing and so all amusement faded from Fenrys's beutiful face "You are bastard Rowan."
********(Throne of glass fans,you already know what conversation happend between buzzard and wolfie so I will skip to interesting part)
There was still one card Rowan had to play to convince Gavriel,and he knew that Fenrys would then follow him.
They knew risks,they've been calculating all but before they could turn to say no-Rowan said to Gavriel "If you don't fight in this world,Gavriel,you soon your soon to die."
Gavriel froze and Fenrys just said "You've gotta be shiting me!"
Rowan wondered just how Aelin would be pissed "Think about my proposal. But you know,your son is  making his way to the Skull's Bay. You may want to decide until you met him."
"Who...",Rowan and Nemesis weren't sure if lion even breathed "I have a son?"
Some part of Rowan made him to feel like a prick like Fenrys claims for him to be and not the male believed him to be as he nodded.
Rowan coldly  said then "Stay out of our way and we'll stay out of yours."
Rowan knew putting his back to them went again his every instinct but he kept his shield tight as he opened bedroom door. He had so much to do.
Gavriel rose,shook and something like devastation cross his face.
Rowan noticed how realisation hit Dorian's face a heartbeat before king buried it. Yes,at first sight,Aelin and Aedion were like twins in many ways,but from the other side,it was Aedion smile that give away his heritage. Gavriel would recognize him in a heartbeat if Aedion's scent does not do that before him.
Fenrys stopped closer to male,putting his hand on his shoulder,as they entered the hallway. For both of Rowan and Fenrys,Gavriel would always been their sounding board.
Rowan said to his two former brother-in-arms "If you about to hit Gavriel's son to Maeve then our bargain is over.",then Nemesis added "And if Lorcan does show up,I and I trust Rowan to will be more than willing to help Lorcan to you."
Rowan nodded in agreement. This was war. He has no attention to lose it.