Chapter 0134
"Yes, I'm Evelyn Sinclair. Pleasure to meet you, King Oberon." Should I curtsy? Bow? Protocol escapes me. Thankfully, he doesn't seem bothered by my awkwardness.
"May I know your wolf's name, Evelyn Sinclair?"
Selene steps forward. "I am Selene." The king's golden eyes sparkle with recognition. "Named after the Moon Goddess, I presume?"
She dips her head in confirmation. "The honor is mine, Selene. First Guardian born of two Guardians in centuries."
He turns to my father. Evander has already moved closer. "I'm Evander, Grant Sinclair's wolf. Guardian to Alistair and father to Selene."
"A privilege to meet you again, Evander. Guardian of Alistair and sire of Selene."
"Again?" Evander's ears perk up.
"I understand you seek answers. Those require time. First, you must be famished. Join me for luncheon, then we'll begin unraveling your questions." His gaze shifts to Adrian. "I assume your party is staying?"
"Prepared for two nights if needed," Adrian confirms. The king's smile could light up the entire fae realm.
"Excellent. This way."
He leads us through arched corridors to an intimate dining chamber. An obsidian table carved with celestial patterns dominates the space, already set with crystal goblets. King Oberon takes his place at the head.
"Alpha Alistair, Guardian Evander - would you grace my sides?" He indicates the flanking chairs. As Adrian and I move toward seats beside our fathers, rapid footsteps echo down the hallway.
The king sighs as a carbon copy of him - twenty years younger - bursts in.
Adrian spins toward the newcomer. "Finnian!" He sweeps the fae prince into a bear hug, lifting him off the marble floor.
"Alpha Adrian! You haven't aged a day."
Adrian sets him down, scrutinizing the young royal. "Look who's talking. Last time I saw you, you barely reached my elbow." He guides Finnian toward us. "Meet my mate and our family."
Over silver platters of roasted pheasant and honeyed fruits, I learn how Adrian saved Finnian from rogue vampires, earning King Oberon's eternal favor. My fingers tighten around my fork when realization strikes.
"So you used your royal favor... to get me that history book about my parents?"
If my heart wasn't already his, this would've sealed it. He could've demanded fae gold or weapons. Instead, he gifted me the one thing money can't buy - my past.
Adrian's gaze burns into mine. "Seeing you hold that book... I'd trade a thousand favors for that moment." Selene presses against my ribs, radiating approval.
A deliberate cough shatters the moment. I look away, but not before catching Adrian's smirk.
Post-luncheon, we return to the library transformed. While we dined, the fae conjured a research station - holographic displays floating beside leather-bound tomes, quills that never need ink.
King Oberon steeples his fingers as we settle around the knowledge hub.
"First truth: The fae have chronicled Guardian history since your kind's dawn."
Father interrupts. "Then why are we just learning of you now?"
"An excellent question... for another time."
Alistair leans forward. "Does this relate to why werewolves and fae severed ties?"
King Oberon's jeweled rings glitter as he spreads his hands. "Not just related. The very reason."