Tearc Dragan

Chapter Ten

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A/N; this is un-beta’ed, I have seemed to have misplaced him. If you find him could someone please return him? Please enjoy the chapter, as soon as it’s beta’ed I will be posting it again.

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Solas looked up, his eyes widening as he saw Faelan standing there. He also saw the drooling beast sitting quietly beside the life giver. Moving to pull himself to his feet, Solas wondered what the man wanted. Looking up he watched as Faelan continued to stand in the doorway and watch him. Before he could say anything, Faelan said something to the madra before the life giver spun on his heels and left.

Solas watched him go before he glanced at the animal, seeing it was still sitting where Faelan had left it. He stood for a good five minutes waiting for the thing to leave, but realizing it was going to continue sitting there he returned to his work. He wasn’t sure why it was left with him, or why Faelan felt the need to leave the animal. Shifting slightly Solas froze as he felt something against his side.

He looked down to meet mismatched colored eyes of Faelan’s madra. The beast had laid its head against his thigh and was watching him with sad eyes. He had his hand posed over the animal as he was about to attempt to push it away; only he stopped, slowly lowering the hand to touch the animal. He was surprised to find the beast’s fur was soft to his touch.

“Why did he leave you here?” Solas asked softly his eyes wearily watching Cocidius. He took a minute to study the animal without the fear that he normally felt. Cocidius had a long slender muzzle, a slender head with small ears. The animal’s body was long and slender, except that its feet were huge, and its tail curled over its back.

With a sigh, he turned back to his work; he needed to get things done before Réalta came for the tour. He tried to put the animal out of his mind as, he worked on cataloging plants that were ready to be moved off the Tearc and into special gardens that Réalta had prepared.

“Solas?” Réalta asked; he looked between Cocidius and the boy, seeing the animal was sticking close to Solas.

“Réalta, are you ready for the tour?” Solas asked trying to ignore the animal beside him.

“Of course,” Réalta said; his eyes going to he madra again. “Why is Cocidius here?”

“I don’t know,” Solas replied leading the way into the hydroponics section, he could see that Réalta was looking around, the king’s eyes widening slightly at progress that had been made.

“Wow, you’ve gotten a lot done,” Réalta said following the boy.

“I haven’t had much else to do,” Solas said softly, he glanced over to at his king, seeing that Réalta was watching him. The man’s blue eyes were sad and Solas could only shrug. “These are the samples you wanted; I have marked the ones that no longer grow here, along with the ones that are almost gone.”

“Thank you,” Réalta said softly, he glanced at the boy. “Have you talked with Faelan lately?”

“No, I’ve only seen him, mostly in dark corners watching me,” Solas said softly dropping his eyes.

“Ah, I see,” Réalta muttered his eyes going over everything that Solas was pointing out. He wondered if Faelan had talked with the AI yet, if he had made any progress on that front.

“What does he want?” Solas asked after several quiet minutes, he was fiddling with a leaf that he had plucked from one of the trees.

Réalta was going to ask him who he was talking about, but he could see that Solas wouldn’t accept that. “Faelan wants to court you.”

“Because of the Tearc,” Solas said, not asking.

“No,” Réalta tried to reassure the boy, but he could see the look on Solas’ face. He could see the boy’s mind was made up and he wasn’t sure it could be changed.

“I’ll not give him the Tearc and I will not become his mate,” Solas said turning away.

“Solas…” Réalta saw the boy turn to him, eyes wide as the boy watched him.

“Please, do not order me to be his mate,” Solas whispered seeing his king’s eyes widen.

“I would never do that,” Réalta said shaking his head. He saw Solas drop his eyes, the boy’s cheeks pinking slightly. The king turned back to the flora around them.

“Can you make him stop?” Solas inquired the boy’s eyes still wide. He watched his king, seeing the older life bearer wouldn’t meet his eyes. “Mo Rí?”

“There is no way for me to convince him not to court you,” Réalta finally answered him, seeing that Solas had paled at his statement.

“I do not want him courting me; I want to be left alone!” Solas cried out, his hands flying to his mouth. Tears filled his eyes before the spilled over to slide down his cheeks.

“I can’t, Solas; I would if there was anyway to convince the man of that,” Réalta dropped his eyes; he wasn’t sure what to tell the boy. He saw Solas turned away, the boy nodding his head slightly before going to back to work. Réalta watched him for a few minutes before he sighed and with information in hand sat down and started to read.

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Faelan lifted the box, turning he set it on the stack that he was placing on the hand cart. He had deliveries in Cleas City and wanted to be there sometime tomorrow. It would give him time to come back and put some effort into getting Solas to open up to him. At the thought of the hauntingly beautiful boy, a smile crossed his face.

“Faelan?” the life giver turned, his eyes landing on his first mate.

“Aengus,” Faelan grinned as he set the box down and straightened. “How did it go?”

“Good, everything’s locked down still,” Aengus shook his head; he laughed slightly at his captain. “the staff is doing a good job at keeping things organized, but they’re not sure why you want them to go out to the old house.”

“I have found a mate,” Faelan watched as Aengus’ eyebrow shot up.

“You have… found a mate?” the man asked, his voice soft.

“I have,” Faelan replied, he saw his first mate frown slightly.

“It isn’t Bairre, is it?” Aengus dropped his eyes, his hands fiddling with the hem of his shirt.

“No,” Faelan grinned, “he is a compatible mate, someone that will meet me where I need to be.”

“Good,” Aengus grinned back, “when do we get to meet the boy?”

“Soon I hope,” he turned, grabbing the cart to load the boxes into the transport. “When is the other ship due in?”

“In thirty-eight hours,” Aengus said walking with Faelan.

“I should be back by then,” Faelan made a note on the ríomhaire he had. “I figured it’ll take a couple days to unload and sort, I should have about three to woo the boy.”

“Does he know you want him?” Aengus paused staring at Faelan’s back. He could tell by the way the man’s shoulders tensed that whomever Faelan was going after didn’t know it yet. “Captain.”

“It will work out fine,” Faelan hope anyways, he nodded to the crew loading boxes before turning back to his crewmember.

“I hope so,” Aengus replied softly. Faelan grinned again, before he turned and walked away. He needed to let Réalta to let his king know he was ready to go. Walking out of shipping and receiving he headed towards Réalta’s office, entering it, he smiled at Silín.

“I need to see King Réalta,” Faelan told the girl.

“He’s currently on the Tearc,” she said looking up from the screen. Faelan nodded as he turned and left the office, he couldn’t keep the smile off his face as he headed towards the docking area. Strolling into the area he headed to the Tearc, not paying any attention to those around him. Entering the ship, he paused trying to think of where they’d be, shaking his head as he headed towards the hydroponics room.

“Excuse me,” Faelan said; he saw Réalta look up at him.

“Faelan,” Réalta’s smile faded as he heard something hit the ground in the next section. Faelan raised an eyebrow as he watched his king’s face.

“Something wrong?” he asked, shifting until he could see Solas where the boy was cleaning up what he had broken. He saw Cocidius sitting slightly behind the boy, watching Solas clean.

“Of course not,” Réalta moved setting the file down. “What brings you here?”

“I wanted to let you know that I’m ready to leave and the next shipment should be in, in thirty-eight hours,” Faelan glanced at Réalta before turning his attention back to Solas, to see the boy had looked up at to see him.

“Okay,” Réalta said as he stood, he glanced back to see Solas was still staring wide-eyed at the life giver. “I have the papers in my office.”

“All right, I’ll meet you there,” the man said, his voice distracted as he started towards the other room. Faelan watched Solas stand, the boy’s eyes getting even bigger. “How are you doing?”

“Fine,” Solas replied his voice softly.

“I’m glad,” Faelan leaned against the post, his eyes drinking in the boy’s features. He had to smile; Solas’ mouth always drew his attention, plump pale lips that begged to be kissed. “Has Cocidius been keeping you company?”

“He’s been fine,” Solas frowned slightly, “why did you leave him?”

“Cause you looked like you could use a friend,” Faelan said; he watched as Solas looked at the madra again. The boy’s frown grew, making Faelan wonder about it.

“I’m really busy,” Solas said gesturing with his hand at the area around them. He yelped slightly when a large warm hand caught his right wrist. Tugging on his arm, Solas tried to pull it from the life givers hand.

“You have shards on your palm,” Faelan gently wiped the shards from the palm, his fingers pausing to press against the center; his eyebrow drew together as he felt the hardness. Suddenly the conversation he had with Dragan came back to him, he could feel the pulsing in the ship where his shoulder touched the post, and it matched the pulsing in Solas’ wrist. “He wasn’t kidding when he said you were his heart.”

“Let go!” Solas hissed trying to pull his hand away again.

“You are intimately connected to this ship,” Faelan said, he looked over as Dragan appeared beside the boy. The AI’s eyes on his hand where it was holding Solas’ wrist.

“It is not your business!” Solas yelled tears slipping down his cheek.

“You’re right, it’s not,” Faelan abruptly let go, turning the man headed off the Tearc, the madra following behind his master. Solas watched the man leave; pulling his right hand against his chest he felt pain, it hurt that the man had rejected him.

“Why did you not say anything?” Solas asked his guardian.

“What should I have said?” Dragan inquired softly.

“To leave me alone, to let me be,” Solas looked over at the AI, his tears still slipping down his pale cheeks. “Since you have already talked to him, what did you tell him?”

“That I will not stand in his way of courting you,” Dragan said. Solas glanced up surprised, he watched as his guardian simply disappeared from view. Feeling very tired and very alone, Solas moved to leave the hydroponics chamber and headed to his quarters to lie down. He wasn’t sure what he was feeling other than Dragan’s betrayal of him.

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Faelan looked over, his eyebrow rising as he saw Dragan appear on the small screen. “What do you want?”

“You made Solas cry,” the AI said; his voice dripping venom.

“I was surprised, I will speak with him when I get back,” Faelan turned his attention back to where he was going.

“It is not that easy,” Dragan seethed, angrily.

“Are you going to go back on your word?” Faelan inquired glancing back at the screen. He was glad he was the only in the transport, he figured the AI wouldn’t have care if he was alone or not.

“Of course not, but make him cry again and you will regret it,” Dragan disappeared, Faelan started at the screen for a few seconds before shaking his head. There wasn’t anything he could do with where he was currently and while he didn’t want to worry about it, he knew he would.

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Solas glanced around; his eyes narrowing slightly as he scanned the people. It was something that Réalta had decided that needed to be done. Once monthly, anyone on Garnet could congregate at the government building. Where they would mingle together and meet others, and hopefully find a mate to boot. He hated being here, but since he was one of the un-bonded, here he was.

“You don’t look like you’re having fun,” one of the kids from Lása’s dance class was standing beside him.

“I’d rather not be here,” Solas shrugged slightly, as he scooted over so the boy could sit down. “You don’t look all that happy either.”

“I’m not allowed to find a mate yet, so really, there is no reason for me to be here,” the boy explained with a small grin.

“It gives you a chance to meet others,” Solas smiled at the boy next to him.

“It gives you the chance to meet others, also,” the boy stated, he laughed at the look on Solas’ face.

“I have no desire to meet others,” Solas muttered, he saw the boy stop laughing.

“That’s not fair,” he replied frowning. Solas shrugged again looking out over the groups of people, he would have really rather been working. He only half listened as others from Lása’s dance class came over, he really wasn’t interested in listening to them. After a while, he excused himself and headed to find something to drink, finding himself standing behind Bairre and the life bearer’s friends.

“I don’t see him,” one of them stated, as the group was scanning the people.

“He said he would be here,” Bairre stomped a foot, he was glaring at the others. “My tabhair said he would be back by now.”

“I still don’t see why we’d care if Faelan is back or not,” Solas paused when he heard that, he had been heading back to his seat, but decided to listen.

“Because I am going to be his mate,” Bairre declared with a wide grin. Solas raised an eyebrow at this, he had been sure that Réalta had told him that Faelan wanted to court him. Maybe he had been mistaken, or maybe the man had decided that he wasn’t good enough.

“You’ve been saying that for years,” another life bearer said.

“It’s true, my tabhair will make him see it’s for the best,” Bairre crossed his arms, daring his friends to say something about it.

“But,” one of them started, ignoring the life bearer’s glare, “didn’t he tell you that you are incompatible with him? Something, about his makeup or something?”

“So he keeps saying, but please,” Bairre harrumphed as he stomped his foot. “I mean, he’s the only one out there that is like this?”

“I heard he had found a mate and is currently courting them,” another offered, Bairre looked at the life bearer that had spoken.

“And you would know this, Aeryn, because?” Bairre questioned turning to glare at the small young life bearer.

“I was working with Séarlas, he said something about it,” Aeryn replied softly his grey green eyes going to his drink.

“Séarlas, he’s part of Faelan’s crew, isn’t he?” one asked, seeing Aeryn nod his head, his deep purple curls bouncing around his heart-shaped pixie face.

“And why would he tell you this?” Bairre demanded, the boy’s voice hissed out.

“Because,” Aeryn blushed, his eyes going to the ground, “he asked me if he could… um… court me.”

“Are you serious?” one asked, and Aeryn nodded.

“Why would he want to court you?” Bairre turned fully to the life bearer; he walked over to the shorter bearer, glaring down at him.

“Because!” Aeryn hissed as he turned and stomped away. Bairre yelled after him, but the boy ignored those that he was walking away from. Solas shook his head, he was glad for the boy; glad someone wanted to court him. Although he wasn’t so sure about this shipmate of Faelan’s telling people that Faelan was courting someone.

Solas frowned; maybe Faelan was courting someone else. Considering what happened the other day, maybe Faelan had decided that he wasn’t worth the try. Shaking his head, Solas walked away, he figured he had stayed for an hour and he was free to go back to work.

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“Cyric gave birth to a healthy boy,” Moria said a smile on his face.

“Good to hear,” Réalta smiled as he watched his son playing with his grandson.

“How is Solas, I worry,” Moria glanced up, seeing the frown that came to Réalta’s face.

“Faelan is courting him,” Réalta muttered glancing away.

“Faelan from mac tíre City?” Moria inquired his eyes wide; he swore slightly when Réalta nodded. “Why are you letting him court Solas, and why is he courting the boy?”

“He asked, he said it’s his last chance, if not Solas then his family line will die out.” Réalta saw Moria nod; the boy seemed to be thinking. “We got him to agree to court Solas, because the boy isn’t up for being hunted.”

“I wish you luck with that one,” Moria turned when Blair yawned, a grin coming to his face. “We’re off to take a nap, say goodbye Blair.”

“Byes!” the baby squealed.

“Bye sweeties,” Réalta’s smile faded slightly when the screen went blank, turning he frowned to see Hoginus in his doorway.

“Anile is unhappy, apparently he was under the understanding that the council would turn down any petition that Faelan submitted unless it was for his son,” Hoginus was not happy and Réalta could see that.

“Well, he’ll have to get over it,” Réalta muttered shaking his head.

“And if he doesn’t?” Hoginus crossed the room, moving to sit on the edge of his mate’s desk.

“Then, he will deal with me,” Réalta stated softly as he reached out to touch his mate. A smile finding his face as his mate moved to wrap arms around him.

“How is the boy?” Hoginus shifted, moving to pick Réalta up and then sit back down. He shifted to nuzzle his king’s neck, pulling a deep sigh from the man.

“I’m not sure,” Réalta shifted slightly tilting his head. “He doesn’t want to be with anyone, he’d rather be hold up in that ship away from people.”

“All you can do is keep hoping he comes to the gathering,” Hoginus pulled back slightly to peer at his mate. He saw Réalta nod, the king’s eyes slowly closing. “How is our son?”

“He is good, Blair is good, Bradley is good,” Réalta groaned as Hoginus went back to his neck, the man’s tongue playing along the sensitive flesh. “Cyric and Torii are good too, they have a boy.”

Hoginus grunted as he shifted to stand, bringing his mate with him. Turning he headed out of the office and heading them towards their apartment. He was going to get some quality time in with his mate, smiling he nodded to those he passed on his way.

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Solas glanced up; he was working with Aeryn, the small life bearer humming quietly to himself. He had not made any attempt to talk to the boy, because he still really didn’t care to make friends. But at least they worked in companionable silence.

“Can you hand me that?” Aeryn pointed to a small jar with green liquid in it.

“Of course,” Solas passed the jar over, before he turned back to his plants. He didn’t know that sort and cataloging all of them would take so long. He was also surprised to find out that Réalta wanted several of the starter plants taken to the other domed cites. “I have to check on the aero room.”

“All right,” Aeryn said glancing at the boy before turning back to his work. Solas nodded, before heading into the aeroponics room.

Walking into the room, Solas went to the first row of plants. A smile graced his face, several of the ones that Réalta had given him, those that they had been unable to grown on Garnet had thrived in the aero room. He knew that Réalta would be thrilled and eager to have one of the soils-less rooms built. Counting the healthy plants he made a circuit of the room, stopping on a peculiar pretty deep silver long leafed air plant.

It was one of his favorites; it reminded him of his fulaing. The boy was always doing something with the wonderful plants that grew on the Tearc. Letting his fingers gently run down the long grass like blades he had to smile sadly again. These things, damhán had once grown wild all over the planet but now were extinct. Shaking his head, he turned and head back to the main room.

“Please, Aeryn, the council can get us in,” Solas frowned; he had never seen the man standing beside Aeryn.

“Séarlas,” Aeryn started, the boy’s hands moving. “You know my parents would never agree to let us bond, at least not yet.”

“I’ll do anything, I don’t want to lose you,” Séarlas moved closer to the boy, the life giver’s reaching out to take one hand. “I’ll convince your parents, well make it a long engagement, tell them we’ll bond but won’t consummate for a year.”

“You will do that?” Aeryn asked with a frown.

“Of course I would, I don’t want to lose you,” Séarlas reached up to cup the heart-shaped face, a smile on his mouth as he leaned in to kiss the boy. “Because I travel so much, I don’t want your parents to let another petition for your hand.”

“But I have to finish working,” Aeryn glanced away.

“You can go, I’ll finish,” Solas entered the room, seeing both of them look at him. He was chewing on his lower lip, his eyebrows scrunched in concentration.

“Are you sure?” Aeryn asked.

“I’m confused,” Solas muttered, “I’ve read the laws, I don’t recall reading anywhere about this extended engagement though.”

“Oh,” Aeryn looked over at Séarlas to see the life giver was frowning at Solas.

“It’s where you bond and then you can do everything but consummate the bond,” Séarlas explained, he saw the boy was frowning again. His head tilted slightly as Solas seemed to be staring off into space.

“But… I don’t understand how that works, if you have an extended engagement, isn’t there a chance that someone else will petition for you?” Solas let his eyes refocus on the pair. He had studied the law extensively and had never heard of this one.

“No, you see it’s still a bond, and the only thing that is different is our word not to have intercourse,” Séarlas said as he wrapped his arm around Aeryn’s shoulders. “In the last hundred years, it’s been used to bond those that don’t know each other, giving them a chance to get to know each other, and see if mating was compatible. Only the council can break the bond, as long as mating hasn’t taken place.”

“And they only break it if there is a huge incompatibility,” Aeryn said.

“All right, Dragan did you record that?” Solas asked, his eyes going slightly out of focus. “You two can go now, thank you for the information, I will finish up here Aeryn.”

“Thanks,” Séarlas pulled Aeryn behind him, on the man’s face a frown. “You do know that captain Faelan’s family built that ship?”

“Yes, I did, and Solas is the only one to come back alive on it,” Aeryn replied as they headed towards the council room. He stopped when Séarlas stopped the man looking at him with wide eyes.

“That is the boy Faelan speaks of, the one he says he’s courting,” Séarlas whispered, his voice very soft.

“But, but Bairre says the boy is an unwanted,” Aeryn’s voice is just as soft, they move closer to the council room, nothing else was said on it.

“He seemed nice enough,” Séarlas glanced over at Aeryn to see the boy was staring at the ground. “If a little strange, but considering he spent nearly all his life alone, I can see why.”

“How long?” Aeryn glanced back up.

“Since he was five season,” the man grabbed the boy’s hand moving them towards the council room again. Entering the council room he saw the twelve members look up. “I found him.”

“All right,” Réalta said as he motioned them forward, he dug through the papers that were on the table in front of him. Once he found what he wanted he glanced up at the couple again. “Séarlas, you put this petition in only a few days ago.”

“Yes,” Séarlas nodded wrapping his arm around Aeryn’s shoulders. “But Aeryn’s parents are having reservation about it; I wanted to come before the council to assure them that I have Aeryn’s best interest in mind.”

“Aeryn?” Réalta asked turning to the life bearer.

“I want to be Séarlas’ mate, there is no other I want,” the young life bearer laid his head against Séarlas’ shoulder.

“Are Aeryn’s parents here?” Réalta glanced around, until his eyes landed on a couple. He motioned them forward, seeing that they looked slightly nervous. “Speak.”

“We wish Aeryn would wait, he’s so small,” Aeryn’s life bearer said. When Séarlas went to speak, Réalta held his hand up to still the man. “We’re not sure that Séarlas is a good match for Aeryn.”

“We’ll wait,” Séarlas said glancing between Aeryn’s parents and Réalta. “Let us bond and we’ll have an extended engagement, I travel a lot, so it will be okay.”

“Mo Rí,” Aeryn’s life giver came forward. “We have someone that is better suited to Aeryn; he will make the boy a good mate.”

“Who?” Réalta asked seeing tears come to Aeryn’s eyes.

“Oisin of Cloigín gorm city,” the life giver told.

“He’s older then I am,” Réalta’s eyes were wide. He glanced over Hoginus to see the man’s mouth was turned down, he certainly didn’t look happy.

“Oisin is very old, there is no way he will be able to give your son a child,” Hoginus shifted in his seat, he could see the other two were starting at Aeryn’s parents, the entire room was.

“He is not that old,” the life bearer stated.

“He is nearly seventy-five seasons,” Réalta looked over at Aeryn, “how old are you?”

“Fifteen seasons,” Aeryn answered, he saw Réalta turn to Séarlas.

“I’m seventeen seasons,” the young life giver replied to the unasked question.

“I will not give my permission, Aeryn is too small,” Aeryn’s life bearers whispered.

“But… Faelan’s chosen mate is nearly as small as I am and no on is having a fit about them!” Aeryn yelled tears slipping down his cheeks. There was no way that he was going to be stuck with a man who was that old, that wouldn’t give him pleasure or a child.

“Faelan is not the issue here,” Réalta stated.

“I’d like to hear,” Anile said, bringing everyone’s eyes to him. Réalta cringed, he didn’t want the man knowing that Faelan had chosen a mate, because he didn’t want Solas harassed any more then he already was.

“My captain has found someone that calls to him, he had decided to court them,” Séarlas glared at Anile, daring the man to ask any more.

“I am not afraid to give Séarlas a child,” Aeryn cried out, he reached up to wipe at his tears. “I have done everything you have asked of me, can’t you just give me this little bit of happiness? I love Séarlas; I want to be his mate.”

“You are only fifteen,” Aeryn’s bearer said moving to take his son’s hands. “You are a baby still; you don’t know what you are saying.”

“I do too, I pass the age of consent months ago,” Aeryn shook his head, “please, fulaing, please I love him.”

“I am going to give my permission,” Réalta brought every attention back to him. “They show maturity in the offer to wait and coming before us, I think they deserve to find happiness together.”

“All right,” Aeryn’s parents fell quiet as they nodded. Réalta waited just a second, before he moved to sign the petition of bond; he held it out to Séarlas, seeing the man was grinning.

“You can go to the eaglais to bond,” Réalta stated his eyes going to Aeryn, “if you should not be able to wait the year and think you are pregnant, I want you to come see me first thing.”

“Yes, Mo Rí,” Aeryn grinned as he turned to hug his soon-to-be. Réalta watched them leave, hoping that Anile would let the matter drop but knew he wouldn’t.

“It is not fair you can override someone’s parents,” Anile hissed out as soon as the door behind the four closed.

“I will not allow a life bearer to be bonded to a man that much older then him,” Réalta stated turning to the man.

“Still, I do not see why you and your little band of scientist think they have the right to meddle in things,” the life giver moved to cross his arms over his chest.

“The council is split even between me and Hoginus, that should be good enough for you,” Réalta spat out, he glared at the man. “We have to make the best matches, normally those that want to bond are good enough for each other and all we have to do and sign it, but sometimes you have parents that are not ready to give up their child and would rather bond them to an old man.”

“You meddle in everything, no wonder this planet is going to hell,” Anile yelled.

“This planet is fine and getting better,” Réalta took a deep breath.

“I will vote down any petition that Faelan submits unless it is for Bairre,” Anile said with a smug smirk.

“That is not your say,” Réalta hissed, he went to stand but stopped as Hoginus held his arm.

“I will not allow someone as important as Faelan to be mated to that little unwanted,” Anile grinned as he saw Réalta’s eyes widen. “That child should have been separated from good honest life bearer and if Faelan doesn’t want Bairre then he’ll have no one.”

“You can not do that!” Hoginus yelled as he stood.

“Just because the king wants to pawn that little unwanted off on someone, doesn’t mean I’m going to allow it!” Anile yelled back.

“Faelan picked Solas himself; there is nothing for you to say!” Réalta stood next to his mate. “And since you’ve decided to use this council for personal reason, I’ll have you taken off it.”

“Go ahead, but Faelan will mate my son,” the man stood, glared one last time at the council and then stormed from the room. Réalta sighed; he dropped down into his seat.

“It will be okay,” Hoginus wrapped his arms around his mate. He knew they would have problems from Anile, but unless he had the man thrown in prison there wasn’t much they could do.

“He’s going to be trouble,” Réalta stated shaking his head as he glanced over his shoulder at Hoginus.