Chapter 11 - Lilas

"What do you think the Council have deemed so urgent that we have to be here?" Bel asks as we walk to the meeting hall having left Kor to look after Emmy. This is the furthest we've been away from her since we met and it's the first time in centuries we're attending a meeting without Kor, despite how much he hates them he comes with us for our sake.

"Who knows with them. They have different ideas of what's urgent so it could be anything." It's true, in the past they've asked us to be here for urgent matters that turned out to be easily fixable such as what they should do during a festival in celebration of the Stones creation. We've never attended any of the festivals, yet they'd still insisted on our input before making any decision so had called it urgent just to get us here. If they've done that this time then I might just let Kor and Bel cause the destruction they'd wanted to do last time.

"They're such pains in the ass." He complains with a groan as we reach the meeting hall. The servant who'd been escorting us here, despite us knowing the way and been walking here for centuries, bows and leaves with his job done. Entering the Council's room we sit down in two of the three empty seats.

Looking around the rest of the room taking in the familiar faces of the Council, most unchanged through the years. Each race is represented by a Council member and some of them have been there since the Council was established due to their long lives such as the elf, vampire and dragon representatives. The only members that have changed over the years are the dwarves, orcs and humans although at the moment none of them have changed since our last visit.

"Welcome my Lords." The elf representative, my uncle Magor, stands greeting us while the others nod, "Is Lord Ruikor not joining us?"

"No. He's keeping our new mate company while she recovers from the journey." I explain meeting his eyes, "We have been travelling non-stop to get here for your 'urgent' business. So shall we get started Uncle, so we can return to our mates as soon as possible."

"Very well." He says sitting back down. "We wanted you here as Lord Zamora feels it's time for him to retire, another human representative needs to be selected and there's a stalemate over the candidates. We need your help to break it."

"So you had us rush here just days after finding our final mate because you can't make one simple decision?" Bel asks incredulously no doubt annoyed that they called us for this.

"The member of this Council are responsible for ruling this Kingdom." The vampire's representative Raziel tells us as though we don't know this, "Something you refuse to do despite the wishes of the Gods themselves."

"Let's not get off track." Lord Zamora himself speaks up sounding tired but trying to get himself heard, "I'm too old for this now, I want to retire to the country with my wife. To make that possible a replacement needs to be selected so I gave you the names of the two humans in the right position to replace me, yet we've come to a tie. Now that Lords Lilas, Ruikor and Belath are here please decide so I can go and spend time with my grandchildren." Both Bel and I soften hearing him, we've grown used to outliving people but it's still strange seeing the differences as they age.

Lord Zamora joined the Council as a young man having been nominated by the previous human Council member who had seen promise in him despite his young age. Over the years he's been a valuable member of the Council always trying to do his best for the humans he represents. It's strange now though to see him so elderly and ready to retire.

"You've served the Council well Lord Zamora. Don't worry we will see this matter resolved as quickly as possible." I reassure him getting a small quiet nod in return, "Now who are the nominees?"

"Lord Hess and Lord Pearce." The orc councillor Borgan grunts out, he's always been a bit grumpy seeming to hate being on the Council as we do.

"Each has three votes. I, Lord Zamora and Borgan support Lord Hess while the others favour Lord Pearce." Uncle explains giving us a lay of the land. It's not surprising the way they've all voted, those opposing Lord Hess usually vote together and vice versa.

"Lord Pearce is clearly the better choice, he's older and wiser. Not to mention more influential at court." Kavarthon the dragon councillor speaks up, he a cousin of Kor's he's very different from my beloved mate. Like many dragons he's fond of treasure but he takes it to the extreme and is obsessed with wealth and status.

"Doesn't mean shit." Borgan spits out glaring across the table at him, "Lord Pearce couldn't manage two people let alone make decisions for the good of the realm, Lord Hess can. Since taking control of his family estate he's turned it into one of the most profitable around and he's taken care of his tenants while doing so."

From then on Bel and I can't get a word in as the Council descends into chaos around us as no one wants to concede that their opinion isn't the right one. They're desperately trying to get us to vote in their favour but since hearing the candidates names I've known how we'll end up voting, we've met both candidates before and out of the two Lord Hess is the better man to sit on the Council.

"Enough!" Bel finally shouts to get them to fall silent, "We've heard enough, and this is getting us nowhere. Now we'll relay all of this to Kor and return tomorrow with our votes. Is that acceptable to you all?" The tone of his voice tells them that they have no choice, we're done listening to this childish bickering.

"Yes my Lord. In the morning there is another matter to discuss, it should be heard by all three of you. The matter is serious so we're meeting at dawn to devote the whole day to dealing with it." Uncle informs us. Another mystery is that how they're going to phrase every meeting so that we attend until we give in to them and take over as Kings.

"Very well. We'll see you in the morning then." We stand eager to head back to the palace and our mates. This is the longest we've been away from Emilia since meeting her and after the last week spent so close together it's odd to be apart. And now tomorrow we've got to be here again at dawn to deal with this other matter leaving her alone in a new city.

Arriving back at the palace I'm not surprised to find Tehlmar and Nuela in the entrance talking to each other quietly, Kor had no doubt sent word to them about our return and they're already coming up with a plan to staff the palace. They've worked for us for centuries as our butler and housekeeper respectively, so they know our quirks and that our stays aren't always very long.

"My Lords. Welcome back and congratulations on finding your final mate." Tehlmar steps forward bowing to us in greeting.

"Thank you Tehlmar. Where are Kor and Emilia?" I ask wanting to go and spend some time with them both.

"Lord Ruikor returned with Lady Emilia not long ago, we think they'd gone out for lunch, but something must have happened. Lady Emilia was very pale on their return and Lord Ruikor was carrying her, they went upstairs. We were just about to go to his office to wait for him there to discuss the staff for your stay." Tehlmar explained causing us to head straight upstairs without another word.

Emilia is sat on one of the settees while Kor is nearby filling a glass with water no doubt to try and calm her down. She's paler than usual and seems to be shaking slightly whatever had happened must have really scared her.

"What happened?" I ask wanting an explanation as Bel and sat down next to her checking for any physical harm. Luckily there isn't any but then again if that had happened then we'd have heard about it due to Kor going on a rampage in dragon form.

"Inn keeper was rude. Called Emmy a whore." Kor informs us his anger basically vibrating under his skin. I pull Emmy into a hug as Bel growls and stands up pacing to try and release some of his anger while muttering under his breath about the many ways he'd like to kill inn keeper, luckily Emmy can't hear him she's only just calming down and hearing what Bel's saying would probably scare her again. I don't know how anyone could think Emmy is a whore though she's too innocent to be thought of that way even after nearly two weeks she still blushes when she kisses our cheeks and even that's rare.

Not long after that Kor and Bel go to the office to speak with Tehlmar and Nuela while I stay with Emmy, reading to her at her request. We haven't been able to do this since leaving the castle, but it must have been something she's missed and clearly enjoys as she leans against me relaxing as I read. Simply being able to read to her like this is something I've missed while we'd been travelling so hopefully we can do this every evening to relax.

I stop reading not long after Kor and Bel return, sipping at some water to try and soothe my throat after reading aloud for so long. Informing me that basic staff will be here this afternoon and the rest sorted tomorrow including the potential of a Ladies maid for Emmy before heading outside for a walk. We have a nice afternoon together showing Emmy around the gardens sticking to our private palace gardens rather than taking her to one of the public ones.

Dinner is the best thing we've eaten in over a week and we're all glad to be eating proper food rather than just bread, cheese and the occasional meat that Kor managed to hunt. We end up discussing what Lilas and I talked about with the Council and how we need to go back in the morning. Nuela even comes in letting Emmy know that a seamstress will be visiting here tomorrow to continue making her wardrobe although she seems nervous that we won't be there she agrees to the meeting once Nuela suggests that she stays during the meeting.

After dinner we head upstairs for bed, Emilia going into the bathroom where Nuela has a bath ready for her. The three of us go into the bedroom to wash up ready for bed while we wait for her. Inside we find that Nuela has prepared the bath in here for us as well, she'd always been perceptive so has clearly picked up on the fact that Emmy isn't ready to bathe with us and ran the other bath to give her some privacy.

"So what time do we need to meet with the Council in the morning?" Kor asks stripping off his tunic as we get ready to get into the bath.

"They want to start the meeting at dawn." Bel replies staring as Kor gets into the bath before rushing to strip himself as quickly as possible. There's clearly something on Bel's mind at the moment, something that we haven't been able to do while we've been travelling, sex. On other trips to Hadlau we'd had no problem having sex on the trip here but there was no way we were leaving Emmy alone in a forest or strange inn just to sneak off to have sex.

"No time." Kor tells Bel giving him a stern look no doubt being able to smell Bel's arousal, it's something that Kor has always been good at picking up on and often using it to his own advantage.

"Oh come on." He complains, "We can be quick, it's been too long. I'm sure Emmy will stay and enjoy her bath for a while so please." Reaching out I pull him into a kiss distracting him from his begging while Kor watches intently. I can feel Bel getting hard against my leg as I deepen the kiss invading his mouth with my tongue.

Having enough of just watching Kor moves to press up behind Bel reaching around to wrap his large around both our cocks at the same time. Bel and I break apart as he does, letting out moans at the feeling as he starts slowly stroking us the water easing his way. Then he stops moving his hand, staying at the bases of our cocks he tightens his hand reminding us that he's in control of when or if we get to come.

"You stop, I stop." He grunts from behind Bel leaning down to start kissing and biting down Bel's neck. So he wants a show, not wasting a second Bel pulls me into another kiss where he takes control this time. Satisfied Kor starts moving his hand slowly at first but picking up speed as Bel deepens the kiss. Before long I'm close and I can tell Bel is as well something Kor is easily picking up on as he teases us with lighter slower strokes that keep us at the edge without pushing us over.

"Kor please." I beg wanting to finish as Bel leans his head back against Kor's shoulder pressing light kisses along his neck and jaw begging silently for him to let us come. It's not working though.

"Please. Please let us come Kor." Bel joins in the begging, "You're hard as well, I can feel it. Let us finish and I'll do whatever you want." That does the trick as Kor tightens his hand and has us coming together in just a few quick strokes. Panting I rest against the bath watching as Kor runs his thumb over Bel's bottom lip indicating what he wants from Bel.

Grinning wickedly Bel follows after Kor who lifts himself to sit on the edge of the bath putting his cock in the perfect position for what he wants. Which Bel happily provides, placing as much of Kor's into his mouth as he can humming happily. He's always been happy to suck our cocks whenever he gets the chance, the day before we'd left the castle we'd even snuck out of bed early for a bit of privacy where he'd happily sunk to his knees for me.

Kor lets him go at his own pace for a while, just enjoying the sensation of being in Bel's mouth, before placing his hands on either side of Bel's head asking a silent question. Knowing the question well and having worked out easy signals for it, Bel taps twice against Kor's thigh giving his consent. With a light growl Kor takes control of Bel's head forcing him down until of Kor's cock is disappearing down his throat as Bel moans. It's impressive to watch and not something I'm capable of doing, just a few minutes of sucking Kor's cock is enough to make my jaw ache, but Bel doesn't care at all and the fact he doesn't need to breathe helps with this a lot.

Roughly Kor pulls Bel back before bringing him forward again as he thrusts his cock back down Bel's throat. It would probably look brutal to anyone who doesn't know us, but Kor would never hurt us and as much as he loves this it only happens with Bel's consent. On and on it goes with Kor holding Bel at the base of his cock every now and then until after a particularly harsh looking thrust he lets out another growl as he comes down Bel's throat.

Spent now Kor slips back into the bath to wash off giving Bel a kiss to thank him for letting Kor go full out like his instincts often want him to.

"Told you we needed that." Bel quips his voice sounding a bit rough after Kor's treatment but none the less he still sounds smug. We ignore him and continue washing up chances are Emmy will be out soon, so we need to hurry up.

Not long after we get out of the bath Emmy enters the room and we all climb into bed. I'm happy to be sleeping on a proper bed again not what passes for one in the village inns of the few days, sleeping outside against Kor was more comfortable than some of the beds. Kor is the first to fall asleep the long days of flying catching up with him and I follow not long after my mind still on what the Council might want in the morning.

Dawn is here sooner than I would have liked so Kor, Bel and I have to leave Emmy, whose still asleep in bed, to go and deal with the Council. We walk quickly to the meeting hall determined to get back as soon as possible and hopefully be able to return to the castle.

"My Lords it's nice to see you on time." Kavarthon says as we take our seats.

"We do have a young new mate to be getting back to." Bel replies looking at Kavarthon as though he's an idiot which he is being at the moment. He'd never claimed a Stone of his own so had never found his Soulmate and didn't know what it feels like to find that missing piece of you. "So lets get on with this."

"We'll start with the vote for the new human councillor then. Lord Hess and Lord Pearce are both waiting in one of the side rooms for our decision, whoever is chosen will immediately join in with the meeting to discuss the next matter." Uncle informs us clearly ready himself to get the meeting started.

"After discussing the matter with Kor yesterday we can say that all three of our votes go to Lord Hess. He'll be the new human councillor." I tell the Council who nod, those who wanted Lord Pearce looking a little sour at losing but they accept our decision.

Lord Hess and Lord Pearce are both invited in and informed of the Council's decision that Lord Hess will succeed Lord Zamora's seat on the Council. Bowing Lord Pearce is quick to leave followed shortly by Lord Zamora who congratulates Lord Hess before leaving happy to finally be able to retire.

"Now that's over with can we get onto the more serious matter." Borgan says which has me paying more attention to what they might have called the meeting for. He's never been one of the Council who summon us for 'urgent' business when it's something they could do without us.

"Yes now that we're all here." Raziel continues giving us a pointed look that we ignore, "We can deal with the threat of war from Nerkise."

"There hasn't been a war in nearly 500 years." Bel points out and we'd never heard anything to do with a potential war.

"And now we're on the very edge of war. Not long after your last visit in Hadlau we began hearing rumours of a quickly growing group in Nerkise. We didn't believe the rumours at first as they were saying that the group is rejecting the Gods and were going around destroying Soul Stones something we found impossible to believe. The rumours turned out to be true though." The dwarf councillor Halmed speaks up for the first time, he'd even been quiet yesterday but if we're at risk of going to war with Nerkise then the dwarf cities to the north are the most at risk.

"Destroying Stones?" Kor questions his eyes furious. The idea of anyone destroying Stones is infuriating especially to those who have found their Soulmate or have yet to have their matching Stone claimed.

"Yes. They disagree with using Stones to find your Soulmate instead they want to return to a world before the Stones creation. Many of the members of the group have never found their own Stone or have had a partner leave due to finding their Soulmate so we wrote it off as just anger at first. But recently they gained enough power and have overthrown the Council in Nerkise." Uncle explained and now I can see where this is going and why they called us here to discuss what we should be doing.

"The leader of the group is a powerful elf named Rhistel. He's taken over as King of Nerkise and has ordered the destruction of all Stones in the kingdom along with the temples, the caretakers of the temples are trying to leave with as many Stones as possible but any that are caught are being burned alive under Rhistel's orders." Borgan continues his grey skin seeming paler than usual at the thought of destroyed Stones, he's still young for an orc and hasn't found his Soulmate despite finding his own Stone. "There is now talk that he'll turn his attention to conquering, starting with us."

"So it'll be war." Bel says anger in his eyes at what we're hearing, "We'll start gathering the army and send messages to the major cities for reinforcements and with warnings to open the cities for refugees. They'll also need to begin storing food in case of a siege."

"We also need to consider that some members of the group may also already be in Rialria gathering support for if or when Nerkise invades." Lord Hess speaks up having kept quiet until now being caught up on the situation the same as Bel, Kor and I are.

"Lord Hess makes a good point. This might be the kingdom the Gods lived in but after so many years there may be those who doubt the Gods or are dissatisfied with the Stones. There have been complaints before after someone has left another partner for a Soulmate or people becoming angry after having never found their matching Stone." Kavarthon adds, he's been waiting nearly a thousand years to find his own Soulmate he understands well the frustration and bitterness that comes with waiting for a match but even he would never resort to destroying Stones and the way the world has functioned for over two thousand years. It's my opinion that's why he's so bitter and angry but a thousand years is nothing compared to the time we had to wait to find Emmy.

"We'll have to be careful about those who have any power then." I suggest, "Anyone in charge of troops or supplies will have to be thoroughly investigated to ensure they aren't supporters of this group. We can't risk supplies being handed over to the enemy or troops defying orders from higher up."

Despite wanting to finish this meeting quickly earlier in order to return to Emmy that's not possible now. As much as we love each other the threat of war, and one that risks destroying our very way of life, needs to be dealt with. We'll likely be spending the rest of today making initial plans and sending out messages of warning to the major cities. There is no chance now that we'll be leaving Hadlau before the end of this war.