Enchantment 25
Caleb and the boys told Connor everything that had happened. Including what Xandria had told them. Connor knew most of it already. He was surprised by her choice of the young mage as a lover. The boy was obviously in love with her. Connor ran his hand through his hair and frowned.
They we're in this deep and they knew it. At least Xandria hadn't allowed them to fly blind. Extracting her from this mess would be a problem. One thing that kept repeating itself to his mind is that He tied her up with death metal. Connor stood up "you know a lot more than most, which is good" said Connor "yes but can we use it against him?" said Tyler 'yes of course, anything could be used against him" said Connor.
The problem with Hanadrin is that he's a coward, he'll go after what he sees as the weakest members of your party" said Connor. "How do we fight him?" said Reid "choose your ground, don't face him alone" said Connor
' Can you keep them here?" he said pointing to the girls "yeah we have a break this week" said Pogue "good were going to need it" said Connor "what are you going to do?" asked Caleb. "Gather support, I'll make contact with my friends in the court" said Connor "what good will that do?" said Reid "well for one it will forfeit his claim once the king finds out what he did to her" said Connor "why would the king care?" said Tyler "because she's his granddaughter" said Connor
Connor noticed the shocked look on the boys face. "Now that brings me to you" said Connor. He was pointing at Tyler "yeah?" said Tyler"I need to know one thing from you," said Connor. "And that is?" said Tyler "how do you feel about her?" said Connor. "I love her," said Tyler. To his credit the boy didn't hesitate to answer" do you?" said Connor. He was smiling at the young man.
"Are you willing to fight for her?" asked Connor "yes" said Tyler. "Good because there will be a fight if you mean to keep her" said Connor. Connor smiled at the boy, he admired the kid already "some things are worth fighting for" said Tyler "yes that they are young one that they are" said Connor. He patted the young man on the back. The others were standing around watching him "and what of you? Are you planning on helping or standing to watch?" said Connor. "Helping, whatever way we can, Tyler won't be fighting this battle alone," said Caleb.
"Are you planning on planning my entire future without me?" said Xandria's voice. She was standing at the top of the stairs. Connor swore and headed up stairs. "You are supposed to be in bed," said Connor. "Now back into the room," said Connor. "He's right my love you shouldn't be standing," said Tyler
"Oh stop it you two I'm not broken, just hurt" she said Connor glared at her when she put one foot on the stairs and slid her body towards the stair. He swore and scooped her up in his arms "if you must insist I will not see you tumble down the stairs as well" said Connor. He carried her down the stairs and set her on a small couch. Reid and Pogue gathered pillows and a blanket and set it up on the sofa. Creating a little rest area for her.
"Perhaps we need to start with watching you more closely," said Connor. She was wearing one of his mother's robes and nightgowns. Tyler closed the robe up tight and wrapped her in the blanket, before sitting next to her and pulling her close.
"They look so cute like that," said Caleb's mom. She hadn't had a drop of alcohol since Connor talked to her last night. "Yes they do, don't they" said Connor. "Ms Danvers" said Connor "call me evelynne" said Caleb's mom.
"Evelynne do you mind if we are you guests for a little while?" said Connor "not at all" she said. She obviously liked Connor and he liked her back. He didn't mind the flirting at all.
That night they plotted their next moves. Bunny and Kate would remain asleep in one of the upstairs rooms. Just so they didn't have to explain anything weird that happened around here. Also so that Hanadrin didn't use them to get past their defenses.
That night Caleb's den became a council of war. For war was coming, rest assured. "He will not let her go so easily," said Connor. "Then he won't have hands to hold her," said Tyler. His tone betrayed his anger to the group. Xandria rested her hand on his arm. Tyler patted it in reassurance.
If Tyler's vicious response bothered him Connor didn't show it. Or maybe he felt the same way. The rest of the covenant certainately did. "I need to know one thing from you Xandria," said Connor. "Yes, Connor" she answered, "why did you go with him in the first place?" said Connor she looked at her lap when all eyes turned to her. "He threatened to burn down Nicky's with everyone inside" she said softly. That pissed off the boys, who muttered curses and threats softly.
"So you went with him to prevent that, then?" said Connor "yes" said Xandria "you cannot do that again," said Connor "I" she started to say. Connor grabbed her hands in his. Kneeling in front of her he said "I know you don't want anyone to get hurt, but it may happen, you must be ready for that" said Connor. Tyler put his hand on her arm "these boys are willing to fight for you" said Connor. He looked at Tyler "maybe even die for you, but you need to stand by them no matter what, can you do that?" asked Connor
She looked sad a guilty for a moment "yes" she said softly "I'm so sorry" she whispered. Tyler pulled her into a hug "no, its not your fault, you did what you thought was right, that can never be wrong" he said. "Do you trust me?" Tyler asked. She nodded yes, to his question. "I love you, and I will fight for you, but you must trust me" he said "can you do that?" he asked "yes, and I love you to" she answered. Tyler kissed her on the lips. "Ah hmm" said Connor clearing his throat. "I was wondering if I may use your phone," said Connor to Caleb
"Of course" said Caleb while Connor went to make phone calls the boys moved closer to Xandria and asked her questions. They were concerned about her and it showed. Tyler was just happy that she wasn't close to death anymore. Xandria was thinking tonight was the night that Hanadrin threatened to return for her. He would surly track her to here and she told them that. She had agreed to trust them so she would. She wanted to cry thinking how close she came to losing Tyler and these boys who were rapidly becoming family.
Connor came back a few minutes later. "Its done the king will know about this by morning" he said. "And if he doesn't support her?" said Caleb "then she is an exile like me" said Connor "I can think of worse things to be" said Pogue