Chapter 22: Vaughan
The doors closed and locked, my thumb started to massage Sandre's hand in small circles reacting to the tension rolling off of her in waves. Although Sandre did not know anyone in this room besides myself and Essar, I knew most if not all gathered here today.
Ellys was again speaking and I knew him to be Rowan's uncle. "We have gathered here today to discuss what we are to do about the army outside these walls ready to fight overseas. In my opinion violence should be a last resort to try and stop them marching, instead we should show them why fighting for Maeve- who is now known to be Valg- is not the right.
Another male stepped forward them and I recognised him to be Lord Kerrigan, his son was mated to Enda who was currently over in Erliea fighting in Aelin's army. "My son's mate is over there, our people are over there fighting for a better world and I intend to help them by stopping these young fae who have be blindsided by a manipulative Queen. Hell we have all been manipulated by her at one point or another" He nodded his head at Ellys before continuing "I agree violence should be the final resolve.
More and more people stood forward to agree on violence being the absolute finality and eventually I stood forward to speak. "As you are all aware I am the last sworn member of Maeve's Cadre but I intend to fight her in every way possible. I believe in this better future not just for myself but for my mate who is a part of Aelin's court." Curious glances were being shot at Sandre then so I moved on quickly not overly liking them all staring at her "I know how Maeve thinks and so the first thing she would have done was ally herself with Aelin's enemy: Erawan. Those outside who go to fight will find themselves with collars round their necks. We are no longer stopping them from aiding evil but also from being a slave with no mind of their own." And with that last bombshell stopped talking and stepped back as murmurs all around the room started up.
I reclaimed Sandre's hand, who lifted her head to whisper "Do you really think she allied herself with him?" My short nod had her grimacing, I could only wonder why I hadn't been called for yet and why Maeve after all her years hiding from her Erawan was willing to come out the darkness to expose herself. Fear, it all came down to the fear that Aelin's promise for a better world meant one without her. If it didn't before her torture it certainly did now and hope briefly flickered that Aelin might kill Maeve so I might be rid of her oath. I quickly snuffed out the ember of hope not willing to go there and fanaticise about life that probably won't ever happen. Instead I forced myself to listen back to the conversation and fight for my mate every step of the way because Sandre deserved the better world more than anybody I'd ever known.