we were trying to keep a low profile was a terrible idea.
I couldn’t help the thrill running through me though — change was in the wind. Shira was back, under our roof, of her own volition. It wasn’t a permanent arrangement yet, but at least we had the chance to prove we were worthy. That we accepted her just the way she was, and we’d keep her safe no matter what came at us.
Plus, we were going to run for the Council. Together. If all my dreams got together and had a baby, that baby would be this entire day.
Today’s attendance at the Council meeting was a test for all of us. A test for the five of us to keep suspicion off us and our mate. A test for Hiram, to see if he’d pull his head out of his asshole and support Shira, no matter what.
A test for Shira, to see if she’d run at the very first chance. There were no guards or babysitters today. She was at home at the den, free to walk out the front door if she chose to.
I didn’t think she would. Shira’s spirit was more settled than she had been the first time she’d stayed at our den, less restless. She didn’t seem happy yet, which is why I was determined to make her suggestion of having Shira run for Council work.
I got the feeling that she wanted a new goal now she’d fulfilled her last one. Perhaps even needed a goal to help keep herself together. She and I were similar in that respect.
While I didn’t think she would run, we weren’t bonded either, and Shira wasn’t even close to suggesting we take that step in our relationship. Ezra wanted Shira to make that call on her own, with no influence from us, but I felt like she’d need a little nudge. I wasn’t sure Shira even knew what the bonding process entailed.
“Son,” my father said cheerfully, striding across the floor to greet us. The meeting hadn’t started yet, and the Councilors were all standing around, talking amongst themselves. All except the mysteriously absent Flight Milain.
“Ilia,” Ezra said gruffly in greeting. He was putting on a good show, but there were some nerves under that bravado. If we fucked up and let slip about Shira’s involvement in Flight Milain’s murders, her life would be forfeit. I doubted she’d even get a trial.
“You are all looking far less miserable today. Is your mate finally starting to warm up to you?”
He didn’t know how right he was. Shira was at about tepid warmth to us now, which was a vast improvement over the icy-fucking-frozen she’d been the first time around. I gave Hiram a subtle warning look in case he was thinking of doing something idiotic, like telling my father she’d left us for a while and ruining her alibi.
“We’ve made progress,” Ezra replied curtly, bristling at being questioned by anyone, even a powerful Alpha. My dad chuckled, used to Ezra’s surly behavior by now. If there was ever a young Alpha who could hold their own on the Council, it was Ezra.
“Excellent. Unfortunately, you might be a little late getting home to her today. Flight Milain’s absence is holding up the proceedings.” Ilia frowned, scanning the horizon for a flight of dragons that wouldn’t come.
Fuck, I really hated lying to my dad. I doubted he’d even be mad that Shira had killed Flight Milain — they’d blocked his attempts to improve things for young flights on more than one occasion. Shocked, definitely. But probably not mad.
“Well, if we’re starting late today, perhaps I could look at your copy of the founding documents in the meantime?” I asked casually.
“We should get you your own copy, though you’ve read it so many times I’m surprised you haven’t got it memorized,” he laughed. “You’re welcome to come and look while your flight waits here for the meeting to start if that’s acceptable to your Alpha.”
Ezra gave me an approving nod, knowing what I was going to check, with Hiram scowling at me for the same reason. At least with this tantrum, I could see where he was coming from. I didn’t relish the idea of bringing Shira into the snakepit either, but we’d be at her side every step of the way.
I’d seen the way her eyes lit up at the idea of joining the Council. The way her mild intrigue had bloomed into burning curiosity. Shira had spent her entire life cooped up,