Broken, but Not Defeated

Chapter 47 (Wesley)

"Well, that went over better than I thought," Cole says.

We march to the doors, but before I reach them Esta calls our names. I don't stop, but when I look to my side I realize Cole has. That makes me curious. I know they both have been training together, but for him to stop though I keep walking is interesting enough to make me stop myself. Sighing, I turn around.

"Yes?" I snap.

"Sorry to ruin your march of victory, but I want to thank you. Caldina has been in a foul mood all week, and I want to thank you for knocking some sense into her. If not that, you convinced them to stop fighting long enough that us guards can have a break." With that Esta sighs. "I can only imagine what King Levindal is going to be like if you thought Prince Rowan was an Alpha."

"Levindal?" I ask

"King Levindal," she corrects as we start walking again. "He is Prince Rowan's older brother, King of the Fae, and one very nasty person. Not only that, he is said to be like a snake. He waits patiently before he strikes. I have no idea what was going through Caldina's mind when she invited him to her palace."

"Great, even more fights to break up," Cole mutters behind us, making Esta snort.

"Hopefully the King has more self-control than Rowan," I comment

"Even if he does, that is still not that much self-control," Esta says, making all of us chuckle.

"So let me get this right, you're not looking forward to breaking up fights?" I ask Cole, turning to him.

"If I could lock you in your room to keep you from giving one of your lousy talks, yes, I would not miss having to break up fights," Cole says, grinning. Esta laughs, throwing back her head. I chuckle.

"Lousy talks, oh that's good!" Esta comments bending over and trying to breathe. "You're funny."

"That hurts, my talks are not lousy!" I say, trying to sound offended, but when you're smiling it is hard to be offended.

"What do you call that?" Cole asks.

"A talk that stopped two people from killing one another."

"Good point," Esta whispers.

"See that's why it's lousy, it would have been way more entertaining if you would have allowed us to carry weapons. But no! Instead what did you say? Oh right! Something about putting out a fire, don't feed it. Boring!" Cole says, giving me a grin.

I sigh, "Why do I put up with you?"

"Because you love me," Cole says, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

"I think this is where I should leave you," Esta says, stopping at the door. She nods her head at me.

"Wesley, go on ahead. I want to talk to Esta," Cole says. Shaking my head I walk away. Everything finally makes sense. Cole likes Esta!

Walking through the grounds, I spot a witch ahead of me.

"My lord," she says, bowing. "Allow me to introduce myself."

When she doesn't continue, I nod giving her permission.

"My name is Hedvig, I come at the request of her majesty," the witch says, once again bowing low.

"Her majesty? If Caldina wanted to talk to me, she could have come to me herself," I snap.

I go to walk past, but she stops me with a hand to my arm. She squeezes tightly, and I clench my teeth against the pain.

"I do not come on Caldina's command. I come at the request of the real queen. She wants you to know that there is a better alternative to war with her. My lord, fight on our side. Caldina will fight against us, but when it is over do you really think she will hand the power over to the humans? No, she will make you humans her slaves! But my queen, she offers you the crown. To have humans and witches bow to you as their King. And when we have grown even stronger we will take down the Fae," Hedvig says, releasing my arm. "I will be back in three days to hear your answer." The witch seems to disappear in front of me.