Conspiracy (11 page)

King Orleon sat at the head of the table, his wife, Queen Cassandra to his right and to her right, Gregor and Haslane, comprising the entirety of the Southern Realm royal family. On the far side sat the rulers of the two other Realms, Queen Eimile and Queen Mallorie. The human visitors had not been invited.

King Orleon commenced the meeting. “Queen Mallorie, please accept our deepest condolences on the death of your husband, King Aegir. My son has informed me that he was an honorable man and will be mourned by his people.”

Mallorie nodded without comment.

“Our gathering is a momentous occasion, and I am deeply saddened that King Aegir could not participate. It has been thousands of years since the royal families have convened. Even the existence of the Southern Realm has been lost to the knowledge of the Eastern and Western Realms. It has been my intent, since assuming the throne, to restore unity between the kingdoms and to bring peace to our people. For our part, we of the Southern Realm have lived in harmony for thousands of years. It is my understanding, however, that conflict and open rebellion have come to each of your Realms. We stand ready to assist in restoring order, if that is your desire.”

Prior to the meeting, Gregor had taken over an hour to explain to Queen Eimile and Queen Mallorie the history of each Realm and to inform them of the fourth Northern Realm, comprised of banished Elven. Eimile silently absorbed the information, not commenting, but each revelation was met with reluctance, if not outright rejection, by her daughter. A fabrication, Mallorie called it.

“My queen,” Gregor had explained, “On my honor I can assure you that this history is true and accurate. Is it not true that the Eastern Realm Elves cannot pinpoint their origins, nor their heritage, beyond six or seven thousand years? Nor can the Western Realm Elves.”

“What makes you think your version of history is correct?” Mallorie had rebutted.

Gregor nodded understanding of her disbelief. “It is difficult to revise a lifetime of learning and understanding—and intentional deception. Certainly our human visitors, including Tony, find this even more difficult, but the fact remains, all Elves came from the Southern Realm.
”

Still unconvinced, perhaps fearing the loss of her ruling authority, the issue was left unresolved and they had ended the briefing to convene with King Orleon.

The king continued his opening remarks. “Prince Gregor has explained to me some reluctance to accept our rendition of history, that we were once a united kingdom. I understand that, and perhaps unification of the kingdoms is not what is sought. We might seek something more along the lines of a cooperative agreement. But surely you cannot be pleased with the insurrection and rebellion that has currently overwhelmed your Realms. The Eastern Realm has been completely overthrown, is that not correct, Queen Mallorie?”

She sat silent, the question moot in the face of the recent death of her husband and her own withdrawal from the kingdom, now under the control of the
Olc
.

“Would you not seek our assistance in restoring your throne, if offered?”

“What can you do that we can’t?” Mallorie asked.

Orleon looked toward his son and nodded.

“My queen, the Southern Elves are empowered to a degree greater than either of your two Realms. There is a disparity in our fighting ability that will allow us to overpower the
Olc
and to banish them, along with the other traitors, to the Northern Realm.”

“And you expect me to believe this? If you are so powerful, why did you let the king die when you were sworn to protect him?” she asked, her face a mask of fury.

Gregor slowly nodded his head, accepting the admonishment of the woman he had served for several decades. “My queen, I had to choose. I believed the greater danger existed to your son and I knew you desired him to assume the throne as he came to understand his heritage.”

Eimile placed her hand over her daughter’s forearm and spoke softly. “You would have done the same, Mallorie. Prince Gregor has served you well. As for King Orleon’s suggestion of a reuniting of the Realms, I see nothing but good that can come from the proposal. I know that my husband, King Aonghaus, was always of the belief that the Elves were destined to unite once again, but he never spoke about, nor to my knowledge knew, of a Southern Realm. For myself, I intend to return to my Realm and convene the Grand Council and convince them to select our new king. It is time we determined our next ruler.” The older woman paused for a moment and then looked directly at King Orleon. “Your Majesty, we of the Western Realm would be grateful for your assistance and would welcome a peaceful accord between our kingdoms. An equal accord.”

King Orleon smiled at his fellow royal. “I seek nothing more than to be a friend and ally. My son will soon occupy this throne, and my request of him is that he honor my dream.”

Chapter Twelve

Heather

While the official delegation met, Reagan and I walked around the grounds and talked. This was the second large, impressive home in which I had spent time in the last few weeks, and the beauty of the architecture astounded me. The Southern Realm royal residence, while not a castle, was even more beautiful than its Irish counterpart, if that was possible. The white stone building was set atop a steep hill, but the area around the building itself was flat enough for a garden.  After a few minutes of silence, Reagan found a large rock that sat among the bushes and flowers and overlooked a broad expanse of the valley below. She perched on the rock and patted the spot next to her for me to sit as well. We could see small farms dotting the landscape far below, and sheep grazing in the green meadows.

“I’ve always wanted to visit New Zealand,” Reagan said, “but this is not the way I thought I’d get here.”

“It seems like only last week we were sitting on a beach in Australia, checking out the lifeguards?” I laughed.

Reagan shook her head in amazement. “It does. Now we’re in New Zealand, but we don’t know what year or century, or even what millennium. Are there human occupants of the Southern Realm like there are in Ireland? We have so much to learn if we’re going to spend time with the Elven.”

I knew my older sister was voicing her fears more than asking a real question, but then she turned and looked off at the horizon.

“That’s so true,” I said. “I haven’t figured out how it all works, but I really don’t want to. It gives me a headache! But you’ve asked the right question. Are we going to spend time in faerie land? Are we destined to become a part of this world forever?”

 “Have you heard anything from Mick since we left the Western Realm?”

“Umm no, I haven’t.  And about that… I have something to tell you. When I was at the cabin, I kind of kissed Gregor.” I watched Reagan for her reaction.

Her head whipped around as she heard what I had said. “You
kissed
Gregor?  Where is my baby sister? Two men in less than a week?”

“I know,” I groaned. “You can’t say anything to me that I’m not already telling myself. I don’t know what happened. I just felt myself incredibly attracted to him, and next thing I knew, we were kissing…. and kissing… and then kissing some more.” I felt almost ashamed as I gave her the highlights of my sordid tale.

“There’s more,” I added. “Gregor sees visions. He calls it a curse rather than a gift. He had a premonition that the two of us get married. Then, while we were kind of…” I blushed and then hurried on, “kissing, he had another vision. I was able to share that one with him because our minds were linked. I saw the same scene. I could see and even feel that I was totally in love with him.”

“That’s crazy!” Reagan sat back on the rock, her mouth open in disbelief.

“He said his visions always come true. I know he’s telling the truth because I saw it myself, but I’m really confused. I had strong feelings for Mick, but the feelings I have for Gregor are so different.  I didn’t even like him at first, but now I can’t get him out of my head.”

“I wonder how Mick will feel about all this; not only the feelings between you and Gregor, but the whole new element of a Southern Realm.”

I winced, thinking of how awkward it would be to have Mick and Gregor in the room at the same time. “Let’s not suggest that, okay?”

Reagan looked at me knowingly. “It
will
happen. It’s just a matter of time. You’d better get ready for it and figure out what you’re going to do.”

“I know—let’s just figure this out one thing at a time. Right now, the Eastern Realm is in a bad spot with King Aegir dead, Alisha missing, and Tony only just learning about his heritage. Do you have any idea what he’ll do?” I asked.

“You mean, does he want to be president or king? I haven’t a clue,” Reagan replied. “He seems to have taken it all in stride, much better than I did when Mick kidnapped me. I suppose Mallorie will have to take over for a while, like Eimile did when her husband died.

“I get enough politics at home. Let’s talk about the other big development that happened.” Reagan asked. “You said you sifted earlier today? Have you noticed any other Elven powers since you’ve crossed over?”

 “That’s the first time it happened. I was standing in the backyard watching an
Olc
about to attack Eimile. I really wished I could have been there to help her, and all of a sudden, I was. I had the weapon in my hand and as I sifted, I was close enough that it killed the
Olc
.”

Reagan grinned. “
It
killed the
Olc
?”

“All right,
I
killed the
Olc
.”

“My bad-ass sister—the
Olc
killer and Elf seductress.”

“Oh, please! It’s not like you should have all the fun,” I laughed.

“You always did like to copy me growing up. Looks like you’re still at it.” Reagan grinned.

“What’s Heather copying now?” Ian asked as he walked up to join us, winking at me.

“Oh, nothing much,” Reagan said airily. “She’s just double-timing on Michael with the heir-apparent to the newly found Southern Realm and killing a big, bad
Olc
.”

Ian whistled and looked at me. “You killed an
Olc
? Maybe I’m romancing the wrong sister.”

Reagan smacked him over the head while I laughed, glad for some comic relief.

“Seriously, though,” Ian said, “I love my brother and he just might have his heart broken, but Gregor is a stand-up guy. He’s one of the most honorable men I know, and coming to understand his background, I can see why I’ve always thought so.”

Ian’s words supporting Gregor left me even more confused with regard to Mick. I had the distinct impression that Ian saw Gregor as more honorable, more sincere. Did I?

Ian pulled Reagan to her feet and wrapped his arms around her from the back, the two of them looking out at the beautiful scenery far below the snow-capped mountains rising in the distance.

“Is the delegation finished already?” Reagan asked.

“Not quite. Eimile told me they got some of the issues ironed out, but Mallorie is refusing to cooperate and it’s her Realm they’re trying to save. They’ve asked me to join them after lunch. I came to see if you wanted to do a little exploring with me. If you and Heather are still talking, though, I’m happy to leave you two alone,” he added.

“I think we’re finished for now. Right, Heather?”

“Yes, you go ahead with Ian and count sheep. There seems to be more of them down there than anything else.” I stood and stretched. “I think I’ll find somewhere I can rest for a bit.”

Ian pointed somewhere in the distance and then they were gone. I walked back to the side entrance where we had earlier exited the mansion. Retracing my steps, I found myself in the room we had originally sifted to with Gregor. The area was empty and I walked down the hall, peeking in a few rooms, searching for a place to lie down for a few minutes. A few doors further, I looked in and discovered a large library. I had just entered when Gregor called out to me.

“Come in, Heather. I was wondering where you’d gone.”

He held a large book in his hands and was perched on the edge of a desk.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bother you. I can leave if you’re busy,” I stammered.

“No, please stay,” he asked. “Come sit by me.” He moved to the couch and waited for me to join him.

Nervously, my breathing increasing and my fear rising in my throat, I walked over and sat down. I had no idea what I was going to say. He settled into the cushion next to me.

“Regardless of what impression you got yesterday in Seattle, I won’t bite. Don’t be scared of me, Heather.”

Gregor leaned his head back against the cushions and sat in silence before saying, “I’ve been in the Eastern Realm for many, many years. I was sent to learn more about their Realm and report to my father about the rumors of an uprising. I grew to care for the king and his family. I failed him today in too many ways. He’s dead, his only daughter missing, and the queen is holding me responsible. I can’t say that she’s wrong. King Aegir asked that his son remain unaware of his heritage. In that, too, I failed.”

I placed my hand on his knee. “Gregor, you couldn’t possibly have stopped the events of today. There was no way the
Olc
could have known about the cabin that quickly unless someone told them. There’s a traitor close to the royal family—maybe
in
the royal family,” I added, thinking of how I had seen Alisha in the forest before the attack.

He grasped my hand and his rough fingers caressed my palm. “Everything today has gone wrong. I never meant to tell you of my visions, either. I know how you feel about me and I’m sure the idea of marriage must displease you. I’m sorry I lost control.”

For a moment I didn’t say anything, feeling his warm fingers brushing lightly back and forth on my much smaller hand. He must have taken my silence as agreement because he abruptly dropped my hand and stood. “I’ll leave you to relax in peace.”

He started for the door, but I stopped him. “Gregor, wait, please.” I approached him as he watched me.