Chapter 727: Europe
Why did I think I'd be traveling alone? The moment I stepped back from kissing Liam goodbye, Charlotte took her place at my side, expression flat and no-nonsense.
I rolled my eyes at her and took my werefriend's hand. "Yes, Mom," I said.
My actual mother laughed as Charlotte's expression softened into a grin. "You two be good now," she said. "Play nice with the nasty vampire lady."
We'd see.
The veil parted before me, Charlotte right at my side as Ahbi scooped us up and carried us, in a pair of heartbeats, across the Atlantic. I stepped out of the rubbery membrane and into a large office to the startled but welcoming power of the European Council Leader.
She stood from behind her desk, coming around to take my hand, shaking first mine and then Charlotte's.
"Syd," Femke said, tall, lean body towering over me, faint Scandinavian accent coloring her English, "that was fast. I just spoke to your mother."
I shrugged and sat in one of the velvet-upholstered chairs, eyes drifting to the window and the nighttime view of Oxford University lit in cold, white lights. Charlotte stood behind me in her old place as though to remind me why she was here. "I've been waiting a long time for this little problem to go away," I said. "Thanks for the invite."
Femke sat back, hands folded in front of her, smiling at me. It was the first time I speculated as to her age, her grin making her look far younger than I first thought. No matter what kind of horrors Margaret Applegate, the old Leader, visited on her people while under control of the Brotherhood, this last act, choosing Femke as her successor, made up for it one hundred fold. I liked everything about the progressive witch, including the fact she didn't seem to hold to formality.
"Congratulations, by the way," she said. "How was the wedding?"
"Fun." I fiddled with my rings. "At least the Council is happy at last."
She snorted. "Stupid law, really. And your situation is making me think maybe we should do something about it."
Now she told me. "A bit late, aren't you?"
Femke laughed. "What, you wanted things to go easy for you for once?" We'd had a few talks over the last two weeks, and she'd been more than sympathetic about the troubles I'd lived through. "Surely, you jest. Where's the fun in that?"
"Don't get me started," I said. "Seriously. Witch laws are stupid generally."
She snorted. "I've been reviewing some of the more abstract of them lately," she said. "You have no idea."
And didn't want to. "Just be a good leader and fix them, would you?"
Femke's pale blue eyes sparkled in the light from the low-hanging chandelier dominating the domed ceiling of her office. "Doing my best. Starting with your vampire friends."
Ah. I was right then.
"Tell me you're finally going to let me kick Pannera's ass?" Couldn't. Freaking. Wait. I sat forward, hands on my bouncing knees, trying to ignore the full-sized portrait of an old, cranky-looking witch hanging over Femke's head. Like she was judging me for my eagerness.
Femke shook her head, but not in denial. "I've tried everything," she said, looking out into the English nighttime sky, the last sliver of the dying moon's light reflecting back through the glass. "And I've allowed her every opportunity to create a dialogue. But she refuses to even permit me inside her castle. And threats from Enforcers, my last resort, left me empty handed." Femke's gaze returned to mine. "How can you stand it?"
"I don't." I leaned forward and tapped her desk with two fingers. "Mind if I try knocking on her door?"
Femke bobbed a nod, long, blonde hair in a tight ponytail swinging as she did. "Have some fun for me, too, will you?" She stood, offered her hand. "Maji Sydlynn Hayle," she said in a formal voice, power behind it as her Council magic swelled and welcomed me through her touch. "I would ask that you attend to this matter for me and, in this and all things, I offer you the trust of the European Council you will act in the best interests of all witches and magic folk."
The Council magic embraced me, flared and set me free.
Holy. "You realize you just cut me loose from law in your territory." Just to make things clear.
Femke didn't smile, just kept her gaze steady. "We need you, Syd," she said. "You've proven that time and again. And now that I've come to know you better, I can't bring myself to limit you or the actions I know are necessary to the safety of my covens."
Whoa.
"I won't betray that trust," I said, choking up a little. "Ever."
She smiled finally, came around her desk to hug me. "Syd," she said. "I wouldn't have offered if I thought any different." Femke's strong hands gripped my arms. "While I don't envy your path in life, I do envy your sense of loyalty and justice. I can only hope to, one day, be half as committed to the safety of our plane as you are."
Okay, enough with the supernatural waterworks.
I stepped back, flushed and a little breathless, feeling I didn't deserve so much faith, but knowing, now it was in my possession, I couldn't fail.
I just couldn't.
"Council Leader Svensson," I saluted her with hand to my heart, "thank you."
Charlotte and I returned to the veil as Femke waved, my pulse running too fast, struggling with what she'd said.
So much pressure. But I was used to that, wasn't I?
My werefriend's surprise when the veil parted and we stepped out into the main foyer of the palace in Ukraine almost made me laugh. Would have, if I wasn't still freaked out by the whole faith thing with Femke.
She met my eyes, one brow cocked in curiosity.
"I thought it might be a good idea to warn your grandfather," I said as I turned and headed for the throne room. "Considering the old animosity between werewolves and vampires, it might be smart for him to know all hell might be breaking loose shortly."
Charlotte nodded as she kept pace with me. "Thoughtful of you," she said.
"I'm nice like that." I grinned at her as we strode past the bowing wereguards and across the polished marble floor to where Oleksander sat on his throne, talking to a tall, handsome someone in a gray longcoat.
Piers turned with a smile, offering his hand as I approached, kissing my cheek gently. But his eyes avoided mine after our initial contact and I couldn't help but wonder what he was up to.
Oleksander didn't give me the opportunity to grill my suddenly shy friend. The giant werewolf swept Piers out of the way, embracing me with a hearty laugh. My feet left the floor as the enthusiastic king of the werewolves hugged me in a giant, rib-cracking squeeze before setting me on my feet again.
I gasped for breath as Charlotte scowled at her grandfather.
"Didus," she said, voice heavy with disappointment.
He kissed her soundly before rubbing his hands together. "Sydlynn," he said. "Please accept the congratulations of the werewolf nation on your marriage."
I smiled and nodded as I got my wind back. "Thanks," I said.
"You enjoyed our gift?" He looked at Charlotte with clear expectation as I wracked my brain for what he had sent us. The gift unwrapping happened a few days ago in a flurry of other people standing around watching me decimate wrapping paper while overwhelmed with the need to be anywhere but there at that moment.
Which meant I already forgot what Liam and I received. Though I was sure I saw Shenka scrawling things in a notebook, hadn't I? Which meant thank you cards would have to go out.
Yikes.
I'd take worldwide apocalypse any day.
"She loved the carvings, Didus," Charlotte said, saving my ass, eyes meeting mine as her wolf appeared in them. She didn't have to be that amused by my clear lack of memory retention. Yup. She knew I forgot.
But her prompt raised the memory and, with a quickly suppressed wince, I tried a smile.
"Lovely," I said, wondering where the hell we were going to put the giant wooden scene of a pack of wolves running under moonlight. Oleksander's version of a velvet Elvis would probably end up stored in the basement.
"Thank you so much," I said, struggling for something nice to say. "It's lovely."
Weak. Oh, so weak. But Oleksander beamed, thick silver beard bristling in his happiness, so I guess I did okay.
"Now that your wedding is over," he said, "perhaps my Sharlotta will learn from your example and finally be convinced to choose her own mate." His brows pulled down over his forehead as he fixed her with his wolf eyes.
I felt her tense beside me, glanced over to see her tight frown flicker for a heartbeat before her stoic expression returned.
"Yes, Didus," she said without a hint of agreement.
He gusted a sigh while my heart hurt for her.
And blurted my opinion out of turn. Because, I had this thing with my mouth and my brain and no filter.
What else was new?
"Your majesty," I said, despite being on first name terms with the big werewolf. "Might I make a suggestion?"
He nodded quickly, almost eager for my input.
I just wasn't sure he'd like it as much as he seemed to think he would.
"Charlotte is young," I said. "And while witch law insisted I marry, your culture doesn't have such restrictions." I guessed. Turned to my friend, felt her tension easing, knew I hit a bull's eye. "Considering how very little time you've all had to adjust to being free, rushing into a marriage at this point would, I believe, take away Charlotte's most valuable discovery: her freedom."
Oleksander's frown told me he wanted to argue, but I rushed on before he could.
"There is plenty of time," I said. "And the perfect match for her, for your race, isn't something to be chosen lightly." I shrugged, forcing casual into a situation I knew could be volatile if I took a wrong turn. "Since there are a variety of races with magic abilities Charlotte can now choose from, you need to decide," I winked at her, "as a family," like she'd let that happen, "if keeping your werewolf blood pure is the right decision or would you be better served bringing in other magicks to bolster your power."
Could have gone either way. I did my best to stand there when I was done and not react as a mixture of expressions passed over Oleksander's face.
And then, at last, he nodded, blowing out a gust of air, mustache shivering from it. "You speak wisely," he said as the tension in my stomach unwound. "But I worry for our race. For our family." Oleksander focused on Charlotte. "I am old. And would like to step down for younger blood to wear the crown. Such an idea that we could mate with other races has crossed my mind. And I'm not certain if I, as hide-bound as I have become, am the right one to adapt to such possibilities." He hooked both thumbs in his wide belt, chin dropping to his chest. "My Sharlotta is the last of my direct line and, as my heir, needs some of her own, whether they be pure born werewolves or a hybrid of our race and another."
I could tell it troubled him. Felt the stirring of unhappiness from the gathered pack who watched and listened.
"Again," I said, "you've been free such a short time, you've had almost no opportunity to even decide the best path for your people. How then, great king, can you ask your granddaughter and heir to rush a decision that could carry massive repercussions for the future of the werewolf nation?"
Oh boy, was I getting good at this political speak stuff. Even I felt chuffed by how I'd wrangled my argument into a nice, neat package.
Oleksander's chin sank lower.
Time to seal the deal.
"Have faith in her," I said, taking Charlotte's hand. She squeezed gently back. "You've done very well raising her. And protecting your people, as far as you were able. Now is the time for your race to understand freedom is the most important gift you possess." I smiled, hugging Charlotte. "Including the freedom to wait if that's what works for you."
Oleksander nodded heavily, head rising at last. "Very well," he said. Smiled at his granddaughter. "I will not push you further, my sweet Sharlotta," he said. "The choice will be yours."
She twitched before lunging forward to hug her grandfather.
They whispered together a moment in Ukrainian as Piers shook his head at me, a little smile on his face.
Well, aren't you Miss Sunshine, he sent. Spreading joy wherever you go.
That's me, I sent with a grin. Why, you need some, poor sorcerer boy?
His power turned lecherous, tinted with good humor. Depends on what you're spreading, he sent.
Flirtasaurus.
Didn't stop me from remembering his initial reaction to my arrival though.
Nice try on the evade and distract, I sent. What are you up to?
Me? His mental voice laughed. I think you're imagining things, Coven Leader.
That wasn't a "nothing", I sent.
Piers cut me off with a smirk.
Oh no, he did not. If he was planning on stirring up some trouble I'd likely have to clean up after him-considering our previous adventures when he defied his mother in an attempt to free the weres from the Black Souls before teaming up with me against Vasyl at conclave-I'd pin him to the ground and beat him senseless.
I didn't get to press him further. Oleksander and Charlotte finished talking, both turning to me as Charlotte hooked her arm through his.
"Sydlynn has news," she said.
Right. It only took a moment to fill in the werewolf king on my plan to go against Pannera. Piers frowned thoughtfully, his expression only reaching my peripheral vision, but enough to make me nervous.
Oleksander stiffened when I was through speaking, anger rippling around him. "My people are at your service, maji," he said.
"That won't be necessary," I said, chuckling internally at the crazy honor and dedication of the werewolf race. Maybe Charlotte would be better off marrying outside her people. Bring them some perspective already. "But thank you. I just wanted you to know I'm about to kick the hornet's nest."
Charlotte bowed to her grandfather. "I'd like to accompany Sydlynn," she said.
He nodded immediately. "Go with our blessing," he said. "And serve with honor."
Sigh. Nipping that one in the bud right freaking now.
"No," I said. "Not serve. Never serve again."
His smile was so boyish I almost laughed.
"You honor us." Oleksander kissed both of my cheeks before letting us go. "Keep us informed."
I waved, walked away, Charlotte beside me. Heard Piers say a hasty farewell to Oleksander before the thudding sound of his fast feet caught up.
Why wasn't I surprised? I'd purposely walked away from him, hoping he'd be unable to resist the lure of adventure and, maybe in his haste to find out what I had planned, would give up his own.
Because the moment I met his gray eyes, I knew for certain he had bigger things in mind. Things with which he likely wanted my help.
"I'd like to join you," he said.
Of course he would.
"Just make sure you stay out of trouble," I said, poking him with magic. "I don't have time to save your butt." Paused. "Now or later, you hear me?"
His sorcery bumped mine. "We'll see who does the saving."
Snort.
I felt Ahbi's welcome as we stepped into the veil, Piers holding my left hand, fingers pressing my rings into my skin. I could have pushed him harder, and planned to, but right now Sebastian was my focus.
I couldn't wait to see my vampire friend again.
Thank you, Charlotte sent as we stepped out on the other side, into a familiar stone hall graced with tall, lifelike portraits of long-dead Wilhelms. You didn't have to speak for me.
I did. I let Piers go but kept my hold on her, feeling the power of her magic even stronger than before. You deserve the right to choose your own path, Charlotte.
I really should marry, she sent. I have a duty to my people. I looked up as Sunny approached, a smile on her face. But I turned to Charlotte, instead, and pressed my forehead to hers.
Listen to me, I sent. You are Charlotte Girard, weregirl, before you are Princess Sharlotta Moreau, heir to the werenation. Don't ever forget that.
She shivered. You didn't have that choice.
I know, I sent back. Why do you think your freedom is so important to me?
I felt Sunny waiting for us, took a last moment to hug Charlotte with power and my arms, before turning to the smiling vampire queen.
"Hi, Sunny," I said. "Feel like storming Castle Sthol?"
The sudden surge of spirit magic and the nasty smile on the gorgeous vampire's face were all the answer I needed.
***
