Four Months Later
"Can someone please tell me why it takes months for the council to deliberate?" Christian hissed. "You should be quiet. Your extremely lucky they are even allowing you to be present during the session." Darius hissed back with narrowed eyes. It had been months since the battle against Eliza and her witches, and the Battle of the North. Months of waiting for the council to come to a decision. And absolutely everyone was on edge. Terry glanced at Darius, their eyes meeting for a moment before they both looked forwards to the raised podium where the council of five sat. Four of them were still talking amongst themselves, but one of them was looking at where everyone who had something to do with the two battles stood before them, ready for their announcement. Terry looked away from the podium. He couldn't stand to look at Lucien's smug face for a single moment. Terry glanced to the left where Raphael, Helena, Julia, Christian and Darius all stood. Beside Terry, Cassie stood, and beside her Lauri, Simeon, and Dorian all stood waiting for the council to finally announce what they have to announce. Terry noticed with some aggravation that every single member of them was fidgeting except for the ever-silent Lauri, and the contemplative Cassie. Even Dorian, who Terry had always assumed could never lose his composure was fidgeting. Terry had noticed Dorian doing that a lot lately. He thought it had something to do with the witches' battle. He hadn't had a chance to ask. Terry had been sticking determinedly to Lauri's side. He had heard the report on the way back to the castle that Lauri had been hurt badly, trying to take down the witch Eliza, and he hadn't trusted his brother Raphael to give the care she had probably needed. Not that he had to have bothered. Cassie was also sticking to her side, but that might've been more due to the fact that Cassie knew she was leaving soon, and was staying with the only person she could possibly stand in the castle. Terry hated the fact, that the King, had sentenced her to banishment, when all she had ever done, was prevent war. He knew what the banishment would mean. She would be hunted. Hunted by Hade's son. And there was nothing he could do about it. One of the council members hit a gavel on the podium making everyone turn to look at them.
"War. War is what we would've faced if not for the people who stand before us in this room. Therefore we as the council of Vemos are extremely grateful for the quick actions of the people. Vampires, Royalty, Ariste past and present, and the Wolves of War who couldn't be present at this meeting."
"Couldn't be present because they are forbidden to enter the Atrium." Darius said furiously.
"While we are grateful, for the actions of the people who helped prevent war there are some who aided in the war greatly. Julia of the Bakeneko. Step forward."
Julia stepped forward away from everyone else, her eyes hard and angry, glaring at the council members that looked at her with such distaste in their own eyes.
"Julia, you are found guilty of conspiring to dethrone the King Victor. You have been found to be on the side of Nathaniel's ideals. And as such, you will serve one thousand years banishment, in the Dead City. That's a thousand human years. Under the care of Darius." Lucien said gesturing for Darius to step forward. Darius stepped forward until he stood beside Julia. "I take Julia as my ward. She is young in the eyes of any human. Still a child. With your permission, I will take care of her in my house as my adopted daughter, and under my care I know she will be both safe and out of trouble." Darius said, ignoring the surprised look Julia sent his way. Sylvia waved them away, and gestured for Lucien to continue.
"Now for other matters. While we were in another session we are aware that Dorian Grey and Abraham Guarde took it upon themselves to visit the Vampires. Is that so, Christian of the Nine covens?" Lucien asked. Christian stepped forward his hands clasped in front of himself. "That is correct. Dorian and Abraham made me aware of a rumor they heard. And I assured them that they were correct. Kieran the former leader of the nine covens was conspiring to attack the castle and kidnap Laurena, daughter of Nathaniel. He believed her blood held the key to bringing Nathaniel back to power. Kieran and any and all Vampires who believed this ideal have been dealt with. The nine covens are mow obedient only to me." Christian said, before swiftly returning back to stand beside Darius.
"Cassandra Stormfell. Step Forward. Cassie stepped away from Terry and Lauri who both tensed as she did. "Cassandra Stormfell. You were brought here with Helena as an emissary. You were aware that with the marks you already have, that any more discretions would result in banishment. Were you not?" Lucien asked, narrowing his eyes at the stormy gazed redhead. "I was more than aware. And no matter that the fact that my involvement prevented war against the castle and the nine covens, I accept the banishment that you have already sentenced me to, by promising that Verdict to the Son of Hades." Cassie said her gaze flicking to King Victor, who gazed at her with slight amusement. She looked back at the council and gave a mocking bow. "All hail Vemos." She said pushing to stand beside Darius this time, avoiding the stricken gazes of both Terry and Lauri. Lucien sneered. "Thank you for your candor." He said before his eyes flicked to Helena.
"Helena you have also received banishment for allowing Zander and Zafira to get so far in their plans under your watchful gaze. We expected better of you. Twenty years in the dead city. Council is now concluded." Lucien said banging his gavel on the podium one more time. The sound echoed in the hall, as did the clacking footsteps of Lauri as she walked swiftly out of the Atrium without looking back. Raphael watched her leave, with her skirts billowing behind her. He had sensed a change in her. A change in her and in himself. But for some reason he had yet to pinpoint what that change was. He turned, and his gaze immediately went back to Helena, as it did often these days. Helena had already been watching him. She turned away as soon as he looked, leaving the Atrium as well. Raphael closed his eyes, before opening them back, determination filling them. He strode out to the hall and immediately froze. Helena was long gone.
"My sister is a fast one." Darius said as he walked past. "Better hurry or you can be sure, that you will never see her again." Darius said with something that sounded an awful lot like glee. Raphael scowled, and strode to the guest room he knew Helena occupied. He shoved the door open, Helena was packing up a violet rucksack. She didn't even bother looking up as her door was opened so rudely. "What do you want Raphael?" she said her voice indifferent. Raphael rolled his eyes closing the door behind him. "You have been avoiding me since the forest." Raphael said. "The forest." Helena said. "The forest where you kissed me so furiously. And then found out I was an Ariste. The ones you hate."
"I do not hate—"
"Yes, you do. Everyone is aware of that fact." Helena began stubbornly. Raphael stopped her putting his hands on either side of her head. "I don't hate you." He said harshly, "And for that matter, I don't even hate Dorian. I rather respect him." He said, looking down at Helena, bending down and kissed her. Softly but quickly fearing her reaction. "I wish you didn't have to leave. Just like I wish I didn't have to claim Laurena." Raphael said, finally giving voice to the words he knew he should never say.
"Then let her go. Don't make yourself imprison both of you. To hell with the rules." She said looking at Raphael and nipping at his lower lip. She covered his hands with her own. "Don't be the man they want you to be. Be your own man, the one I've always seen. Break the rules. Make your own. Destroy everything they've ever built and make it yours. That's how you become King."