Hyacinth - By Abigail Owen Page 0,67
for protection when, or if, we ever need support.”
Selene sighed. “I appreciate your honesty. And our protection is something we will absolutely offer. Why don’t you all stay for a little while so that we can take the time needed to form a treaty that will, hopefully, benefit us all?”
Marcus rubbed the stubble in his jaw. “We wouldn’t want to impose.”
“I have an idea,” Selene heard Ellie’s voice in her head.
Selene’s eyes moved to where her friend stood a few feet off to the right. “Ellie? You have a suggestion?”
“My te’sorthene and I planned to be married in the very near future and this castle would be such a lovely setting we’ve decided to have the wedding here. With Selene’s permission, of course. We would consider it an honor if you and your clan would join us as our guests.” She flicked a glance at Selene, who gave her a mental thumbs-up. “You can also spend that time negotiating the treaty.”
Selene peeked over at where Alex stood, a huge grin spread across his face. She turned back to Marcus and was pleased to see him smiling as well.
“We would be happy to stay and help Rene’s grandson celebrate such a momentous occasion,” he said. “Although I do have to say that attending a wedding was definitely not what we had in mind when we came here.”
Laughter – part amused, part relieved – echoed through the hall.
“Come…” Selene gracefully stood and offered him her arm. “Let’s find you all places to stay.
“Do you have enough room for all of us?” he asked, as he walked with her into the hallway.
Selene laughed. “It’s a very large castle,” she assured him.
*****
“Selene?” Lila’s voice sounded from behind her.
Selene was seated at the large oak desk in her bedroom. She looked up. “Come in.”
Lila poked her head around the door. “Hi.”
“Hey, Lila. How are you?” Selene waved her further into the room. She watched her closely. Something was off with Lila, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on what.
“I’m fine.” Lila closed the door behind her and walked over. Peeking at the Selene’s computer screen, she wrinkled her nose. “Ugh. I thought you’d finally wrapped that treaty up?”
“We have. I’m just reading through the final draft.” Selene passed a weary hand over her eyes.
On top of helping Ellie plan the wedding on short notice, Selene had been occupied with sorting through the aftermath of the fighting. Funerals had to be arranged and many hours spent negotiating not just peace, but a coalition, with their new allies. Thank goodness she’d decided against summer school—one less thing to deal with right now. And, of course, there was still Maddox…
“Still no luck finding Maddox?” Lila asked.
“When did you start reading minds?” Selene sat back, grinned and shook her head. “Nope…no luck just yet. Sheila’s having trouble tracking them down.”
“What does the Council say?”
“They have no idea where he would’ve gone or what his next move will be. We can’t even figure out what they took. Finding Dexter’s mother in those cells implies there were others with her and they took them. But no one here knew anything about any prisoners down there. It’s a waiting game now. At least we’re gathering allies.” She waved a hand at her computer screen.
“Speaking of Dexter’s mom,” Selene continued, “How is she doing?”
“Fine. Considering she’s lost decades of memory.”
Not even Griffin and Ellie together had been able to unlock her mind. She had no memory of her life after her capture – at least they assumed she was captured – by the Vyusher. She definitely had no memory of how she’d ended up in those dungeons. It was a mystery Selene feared they’d never solve.
“How about we talk about something happier? Why did you come visit me?”
“I’m afraid I’m here about one of our other mysteries.” Lila frowned. “Sorry.”
Selene laughed. “Well, I needed a break from all this legalese anyway.” She stood up and followed Lila out of the room. “What’s this about?”
“Hugh thinks your unconscious little friend might be waking up.”
“Oh, well, that’s good news.”
Lila stood aside and let Selene precede her into the room. The girl still slept, tubes and contraptions attached to her. Hugh stood beside the bed. His hands were extended out over the girl’s prone form, lights glowing from his palms. He glanced up.
“How’s it look?” Selene asked him.
“She seems to have at least come out of that stasis, or hibernation, or whatever it was. She’s still in a coma. But I think she might be