5. What Side Are You On

“I think you underestimate how prepared I am Lord Chei. Unlike you I have troops in place, and am actively training more. You are at the mercy of how well me and the vampires protect the High Valley Keep. Just like my keep here your High Forest area is reliant on us not falling to Kaves. Do not sit there and pretend like your aid would make or break me when it would be you who suffers if we fall.” Ky was really close to stabbing these two pompous assholes. Elves, he hated their holier than thou attitudes. His animal wanted to just attack them.

“We are fast, and very able. Great marksmen from a distance and also in hand to hand combat. I am not denying that your defense at the High Valley Keep is strong. That it isn’t what stands between us and Kaves, I…” Ky cut Chei off, he was tired of this. Second he was not happy about the news that this Chei was expecting Lady Aqualia to marry him. Merol had failed at keeping his anger in check at the fact his sister kept coming here. Ky was not going to stop her. Adele adored her and Aqualia was helping decipher needed documents. Ky did not have to answer to Merol.

Fuck him and his backward view of the worth of women. Ky was very much aware that you used your people to the best of their skills. Gender did not matter, werewolves trained everyone, because you defended as a pack not individuals. Men might step forward first, but women were the last defense and you bet your ass he wanted them trained, educated and ready to fight for their families and homes. The back of the line needed to be just ast strong as the front. Sometimes stronger, if dominos started to topple, you needed those that could brace themselves and weather the storm. Your support had to be as tough as your shield.

“You will have nothing, no one will help you or come to your aid if you do not agree to help us in the High Valley. You are not the real king yet Chei from what I know of elf customs and trust me I learned. I have read up on you and yours. Unlike you I am a King, an alpha and I have been so for a damn long time. Now, are you or are you not part of this fight?” Ky was standing and felt like pacing. Merol cleared his throat.

“Our people are split right now. That is why we are here. You know that the elves in the High Valley will fight. They are already training and doing as you have asked and assigned. However those back with Chei are all split.” Merol looked at Chei.

“I can’t claim a side if I can’t get my people to choose one. This is why I must ask for a bit more time, and not be frozen out of trade and assistance. You have slowed trade through the High Valley and that is a must for our needs. However I can’t bring everyone under order as they do not all respect my title. That is another reason why I am requesting that Lady Aqualia be brought forward. I understand she has been helpful here, but her place is not in this keep or even the High Valley. She is my betrothed and our unrest can be solved with our marriage. My leadership will not be questioned then, and when I give an order to move my troops to the High Valley it will happen.” Chei informed him and Ky clenched his jaw a bit. This was not good, the elves had the numbers Ky was looking for. However they were clearly suffering from unrest. A country at war with itself could not help the rest. Ky immediately read into what Chei just said. Damn it Aqualia, this would have been easier if he knew this first.

“Are you telling me that Aqualia is actually the one that holds the throne? Why am I talking with the two of you then?” Because that was what this sounded like. Shit, if this Chei was serious in having Aqualia as his then what was Ky going to tell Xev? Should he tell him? What a complicated mess. Times like this he wished he’d stayed over the damn mountains as his animal.

“No, a King is always in charge. What do women know of running a country, or the affairs of people. She was named queen and the one that takes her hand in marriage would be King. Whom she chose. Since we were supposed to be married already this was decided. Aqualia has been skirting her duties and you are harboring her at the moment.” Ky narrowed his gaze.

“I am technically not her King, if she is Queen then she can come and go as she pleases. Rule how she sees fit. I sent for her, but if she isn’t in the mood to show then so be it.” Ky shrugged. Aqualia could do so much better than this pompous asshole. He clearly saw her as an item, something to possess and gain the title of King. To rule the elves without being contested. God Ky hoped Aqualia kept denying this fool. Ky wasn’t going to mess with others traditions, as a werewolf he had his own beliefs and standards. He could be dark and a creature people feared. Still he really did not like the sound of this Chei.

“I will continue trade through the valley, but I will not allow it through without being searched and checked. You want to pass trade then you are going to pass it through me. Until you have a side, that means you could still choose an enemy. Merol I realize that Chei is your people but you also have asked for and given your allegiance to protecting that valley from Kaves. Do I still have it? Or do I need to see you and yours removed?” Ky was not taking chances. Kaves was formidable, and he had magic. Powerful creatures and they had already suffered several smaller attacks. A big one was coming soon, and they could not afford a fight on both fronts.

“I am a man of my word. That is our home.” Merol stated dryly. “However there is the matter of my sister and the fact you routinely call for her or harbor her here. I am also asking that this stops, she can help from afar. Our people are divided, it is time for her to take up her duties and help us. She does not need to be here to translate or whatever it is she does for you. It just gives her an excuse to skirt her duties.” Ky raised an eyebrow at him. Obviously Merol did not know Ky was in possession of dangerous maps that Kaves wanted. Maps that were said to give direction on ley lines of magic and portals to other worlds. Second Ky didn’t give a shit what Merol wanted. Aqualia could come and go as she pleased. She had proven her loyalty to Ky.

“I’ll take your request under advisement.” He could just imagine the irritation from Adele if he told her that Aqualia was not to come here any more. He was not going to be chasing his pregnant mate across the damn mountains. He knew Adele well, she would stay quiet and then just leave if she saw an opening to go where she pleased. Such a stubborn willful creature she was, and reasons why he craved her so. There was a sudden soft knock on the door to the common room.

“Come in.” Ky called, his deep voice held authority to it. The door opened showing Aqualia who only briefly met Ky’s gaze and then looked more toward the left of the room.

“I was summoned.” Aqualia said in a soft tone. Her voice holding a musical quality to it. Ky eyed the two men with him. He was honestly done talking with them. He got what he needed for the moment. He was not going to relent on the trade or supply for the elves until he knew where their loyalties lay. He did not trust them, but he saw the lust and darkness to Chei’s gaze looking at Aquailia. He could scent the lust too, nothing more. Ky hoped that Xev showed soon and took her from this man. She was a female of worth and deserving of the right male.