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They looked at me as if I’d gone insane.
“Powerless, how?”
“That is yet to be determined. In the simplest terms, she has burned out her power reserves. So yes, regarding her, where she is staying, and what will happen to her, it is not your concern, nor will it ever be. As I stated, she is mine.”
I had debated telling them about her lack of power, a part of me wanting to find out more before revealing that vulnerability. But if it made them drop this line of questioning, then so be it.
The room grew quiet for the first time since the meeting started.
* * *
I rested my head on the back of the throne-style chair, watching them file out. It had been hours, and it was time for yet another break. I loathed this part of my job. These meetings could take days or even weeks. The Hand remained, even Imogen. She’d waved away Jiraiya when he’d whispered of a private visit, thinking none of us noticed. Cameron jested about their tryst, earning himself a slap on the arm from Imogen. I did not care what they did in their free time so long as it did not affect their responsibilities.
“You’re on edge, big guy. You are practically buzzing,” Cameron said.
I kept my eyes closed. “I am not on any edge. I am...” Words failed me.
“Frustrated?” I heard him snicker and could imagine him elbowing Xavier in the ribs at his cleverness.
I merely grunted in response but didn’t deign to answer further.
Frustrated was one word for it. My entire being still burned from her bite. I made sure that mark she’d left on my neck healed before stepping into the council halls. Cameron would have been the first to notice, followed by the council, and I did not feel the need to explain how lust was not at its source.
Xavier cleared his throat. “I think you are the only one who makes Elianna shut up.”
“Careful,” I said, “they are still your superiors.”
“Sorry,” he said, and I heard him sink into a chair.
“But I can speak freely.” I cracked my eyes open. “Were they always such pretentious bastards? Am I that way?”
Xavier’s smile lit his face, his teeth flashing brightly. Cameron and the others burst out laughing. Neverra sat beside Logan, and they both grinned at me. “No, not of late,” Logan said.
“Good.”
Cameron picked up a piece of paper he had been taking notes on and ripped it into squares. Then he began folding them into tiny triangular shapes. He flicked one of them across the table at Xavier, who batted it away.
“I loved the whole ‘she’s mine’ comment,” Cameron said, launching another triangle at Xavier. “So hot, it even made me hard.”
I shook my head and rubbed my eyes with my thumb and forefinger.
“Please. A warm breeze does that,” Xavier quipped.
They both laughed, and Vincent sighed. He propped one foot against the wall he leaned against, his arms folded. “Are you sure it was smart telling them about the loss of her powers?”
“Why would it not be?”
Vincent shrugged. “It makes her an easier target.”
Cameron snorted and sent another piece of paper flying across the table. “Dianna, with or without her powers, does not seem like an easy target. Besides, you know what it means that he claimed her like that in front of the council.”
Vincent grumbled and glanced away.
Imogen straightened the papers on the table in front of her and said, “The oldest law. Any place, item, or persons claimed under the ruling king is deemed theirs. Shall one act with malice against the king claims, it will be considered an act of war and punishable by death.”
Xavier whistled and caught another flying triangle Cameron launched at him before tossing it back.
Cameron dodged it, glancing toward Imogen. “See, staying with the council so long makes you speak like them, Immy. You have got to get away from this place.”
