CHAPTER 11: THE GATHERING STORM
Elara's POV
The war room was packed with vampires who looked at me with fear and hope and I stood beside Kael's throne with my hybrid eyes burning silver and crimson and tried not to let them see how terrified I actually was.
"The council is bringing two hundred hunters and fifty mages with weapons designed to kill hybrid creatures," Cassian said and spread maps across the table. "They're not coming to negotiate and they're coming to execute."
Through the bond I felt Kael's rage simmer cold and controlled and his hand found mine under the table and squeezed. "Then we show them what happens when they threaten the Crimson Court."
Theron stepped forward and his gray eyes were calculating. "With respect my lord but perhaps the girl isn't worth starting a war that could destroy us all."
The temperature dropped and through the bond Kael's fury blazed hot. "Elara is your Lady and my mate and anyone who suggests otherwise can leave permanently."
Theron's face went blank but I saw hatred flash in his eyes before he bowed and through the bond I felt Kael's certainty that Theron was plotting something we couldn't prove yet.
"We have three days to prepare," I said and my voice came out stronger than I felt. "What are our options?"
Lucien stepped forward and his ancient eyes were grave. "We fight and likely lose or we flee and abandon everything or Elara proves to the council that she's not an abomination but something new and if she demonstrates control they might reconsider."
Through the bond I felt Kael's rejection because it meant putting me on trial for existing. "Absolutely not and I'm not letting them judge her."
"Then you're choosing war and many will die defending her," Lucien said quietly.
The weight settled heavy and through the bond I felt Kael's conflict because protecting me meant risking everyone and protecting everyone meant risking me.
"I'll do it," I said and felt every eye turn to me. "I'll go before the council and prove I'm not a threat and if it saves lives it's worth the risk."
Through the bond Kael's protest slammed into me. "No and I won't let them decide if you deserve to exist."
I turned and cupped his face and pushed all my certainty through the bond. "You taught me to be strong enough to fight for what matters and right now saving this court without bloodshed matters and we have to try."
His eyes blazed and his hands covered mine. "And if they try to execute you anyway?"
"Then you burn them all," I said simply. "But we try peace first."
Through the bond his love and fear tangled tight and finally he nodded once. "The moment they threaten you we're done talking."
Relief rippled through the room and through the bond I felt his people grateful their Lady would risk herself for them.
The next three days blurred with preparation and Lucien coached me on protocol and Cassian taught me power demonstrations and Mira helped me look regal instead of scared and through it all Kael never left my side.
The night before the council arrived he pulled me into our chambers and locked the door and the look in his eyes made my breath catch. "If this goes wrong tomorrow I need you to know that loving you was the best thing I've done in eight hundred years."
Tears burned and I pulled him down to kiss me deep. "It's not going wrong and we're going to have forever to drive each other crazy."
He kissed me like he was drowning and I was air and through the bond our emotions crashed together so intense it felt like the world was shaking.
"I love you," I whispered against his lips. "No matter what happens I chose this and I chose you and I'd do it all again."
His arms tightened. "I love you more than I thought possible and if they try to take you I'll tear the world apart to get you back."
Through the bond his promise settled into my bones and somehow that made tomorrow less terrifying.
We spent that night tangled together memorizing each other and through the bond our connection blazed so bright it felt like we were the only two people in existence.
Dawn came too fast with horns and two hundred hunters in silver armor and fifty mages in white robes and at their head was Lucia with her cold smile and behind her five council members in black who looked at our court like we were insects to be studied.
The lead council member stepped forward and his voice carried across the courtyard. "Kael Draven you stand accused of creating an abomination against natural law and we are here to pass judgment and see this creature destroyed."
Through the bond Kael's fury ignited but I squeezed his hand and stepped forward before he could speak. "I'm not a creature and I'm not an abomination and I'm standing right here so maybe you should judge me to my face instead of talking about me like I'm not a person."
Shock rippled through the council and Lucia's smile went sharp. "It speaks and how charming."
"She speaks," I corrected and felt power hum under my skin. "And if you want to judge what I am then let me show you instead of deciding based on fear."
The lead council member's eyes narrowed. "Very well and demonstrate your nature so we may determine if you're threat or anomaly."
Through the bond Kael's hand tightened on mine and I felt his terror and his pride warring and I took a breath and let the silver light blaze from my hands and let the vampire power rise in my eyes and stood there glowing with both and dared them to call me abomination.
"I am vampire and celestial and human memory all woven together," I said and my voice rang clear. "And I'm the mate of your lord and the Lady of this court and I'm asking you to see me as what I am instead of what you fear."
The silence stretched and through the bond Kael's love wrapped around me like armor and together we waited to see if the council would choose understanding or war.