Chapter 51

" Where exactly do you think you're going? We're all in this together and it will remain that way! "

Aziel continued to back away. The he put his hands up in a gesture of peace and gave a half shrug. 

" I'm sorry Kael, I mean, I'm aware that I have a bad reputation but nowhere does it state that I'm well known for intoxicating the queen, and I'd much prefer it if it stayed that way. " He hissed, faking an apologetic look. Then finally, he turned and didn't even walk away, but rather flew off. 

" You traitor! It was your bloody idea to feed her more berries! " Kael yelled into the air but Aziel was long gone by then, though the unmistakable sound of the angels laughter could be heard from the sky. Leaving him and a very agitated Phelan to handle the stressful situation. 

" What should we do? " he asked, turning to Phelan. 

" Well don't ask me! I'm as much a victim here as she is! "

" Oh, so do you want to up and leave as well? "

" Did you hear me say that I do? and if I were you I'd try and be a little nicer to the only being capable of assisting you in the mess you just got yourself into, "

Kael grit his teeth. Then he grunted, a hand on his waist as he paced the space. 

" I don't understand why you're blaming me! You're acting as if I knew the damn berries would affect her in such a manner, which by the way, I DID NOT!!! "

He pointed an accusing finger at Phelan, who blew out a breath. Realising that they needed to be calm. So he told Kael that he was right and apologized. 

" Now we just need to think about what we can do to solve this, "

" You're right.... " Kael said as he turned around, " ...I have no doubt that Nuriel will be - " he stopped talking when he looked at where Flame was supposed to be. Only to notice that she was no longer there. 

" Cursed gods! " Phelan cursed as he dashed toward the corner where he'd just seen her make a fast turn. 

Through the many hallways and rooms, Phelan and Kael chased after Flame.

On occasion she would stop, turn to them with a bright smile and beckon for them to walk over to where she was. The first time it happened they were both relieved and extremely grateful. They assumed that their chase had come to a stop. But then when they neared to where she was, she took off again. Her laughter trailing behind her. 

She dodged them by going through one room to the other. And at a point she made it to the kitchen where she left the entire staff at awe and the entire room in total catastrophe. Flour on the floor and recently chopped vegetables in the wrong cooking pots. 

" I can't bloody believe this! " Kael said as Flame made her way up the flight of stairs in a pace that almost put Zarek to shame. 

" I'll go stop her, " Phelan stated as he flew up and landed two steps above her. She gasped playfully, then tried to turn around, but Phelan grabbed her .Gently. Because the angel knew not how to be anything but. 

" Finally! " Kael shouted from where he remained standing at the bottom of the staircase. Then he hurried up to where the two were. 

" You're so cute! " Flame said as she teasingly pinched both of Phelan's cheeks. He turned his face to the side and captured both her hands. 

" Okay.... now that the easy part is over, let's decide on what to do, " Kael said as he placed one hand on his waist and run the other through his hair. The ebony strands with their golden streaks made him appear otherworldly even in a world that was so other. 

" You call chasing a drunk queen through countless rooms for minutes on end easy? " Phelan could not believe him. That might have just been one of the most difficult and torturous tasks he had her had to endure. While Kael still had that distant grin on his features. 

" It might have been a little tiring but I prefer it to Nuriel finding out about what's going on, "

" Well then I suppose you're not going to approve of my suggestion, "

" And what might that be? "

" That you give his mate back to him and- " Phelan took a second to prevent Flame from reaching for his wings and possibly plucking out his feathers, " - and just explain that it was an accident, " he completed. 

Kael refused. And he had good reason to do so. He always landed himself into trouble, and all the previous times, it was on purpose. So there was no way anyone was going to believe that Flame had gotten drunk on accident after she ate one too many berries. 

" Well, do you have a better idea? " With raised brows, Phelan gave Kael an inquisitive and somewhat irritated look. 

" Yes, as it so happens, I do. "

" And what might that be? And if you dare to suggest that we keep her away from Nuriel for as long as possible then forget it! I will not be a part of your charade, I love and care for you but I refuse to be a part of that. "

Kael let out a defeated sigh.

" Well there goes my perfect plan, "

" It's not perfect! It's obscenely perverse! "

" No, YOU are obscenely perverse. "

They began their never ending bickering, until Phelan put an end to it by suggesting that they just do the sensible thing and get it over with. And despite the fact that Kael was against it on every fundamental level, he eventually agreed. 

" He's going to make me clean all the weapons and armor again for certain! All because you insist on following your moral compass, "

Phelan inwardly rolled his eyes as he helped Flame up the stairs. 

" The main reason we've found ourselves in this very uncomfortable situation in the first place is because you lack a moral compass. "

" No!.. we are in this situation because I chose to be kind and offered her more of the goddamn berries! "

" Okay, can we just forget about that and focus on what we are going to tell Nuriel? "

With a grunt, Kael eased his hand around Flames waist and asked Phelan to let her go. The last thing they needed was for him to forget his effect on beings and hold her hand. And who knew just what she would end up doing then. 

" I swear to Aurelia that I will never do a kind act again. "

" Oh, stop exaggerating, and I believe it would be wise for you to let me do the talking. " 

They made it to Nuriel's personal study and dallied a little outside. Then Phelan reached for the knob and shot Kael a warning look. Silently asking him to not under any circumstance talk. 

Bad things always happened when he did so. 

" Yes yes, I heard you the first three times you told me. " Kael made a dismissive motion with his hand. 

" I'm just making certain that you won't try - "

" may I know what exactly you two are doing out there? And why is my mate with you? " They both heard Nuriel ask through their mind link. 

Having heard them from inside the room . And he could also scent them. The same way he could scent Flame. 

With a final glance at one another, Phelan reminded Kael not to say a word and he swore that he would not. Then they went in. Flame between them as she continuously ruffed up Kael's hair. 

" First I want to clear things up and say that none of this is my fault! " Kael quickly defended himself the second they went in. 

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" Sooo, in other words what you are trying to say is that you fed her moonberries and she got.... drunk? " Nuriel arched his brows. Staring at Phelan who had chosen to take full responsibility for what had happened. 

" Yes my king. Please accept my apology, I didn't know that they would affect her in such a manner. "

Kael stood silently behind him. Wanting to say that it was his fault but holding himself back since he had promised Phelan that he would not do so. 

Nuriel wrapped both his hands around Flame when she tried to run off again, keeping his hold tight when she started fighting against him. 

" And Kael had no part in this whatsoever? "

Phelan shook his head. Looking back and shooting Kael with a reprimanding look when he parted his lips to talk. 

" No my king, none at all. "

" Let me go, " Flame whined, then she suddenly smiled and wrapped her arms around Nuriel's neck. " Let's fly angel! Just like last time. And then afterwards we can- "

" It's okay Phelan, you both may leave. " Nuriel cut in. A hand over her mouth. He knew very well what Flame was about to say and the last thing he needed was to feed the others with news about his sex life. Even if they probably already knew. Half because they also had acute hearing, and half because a female's marked scent automatically increased after any king of sexual activity. He had noted clearly how the others stared at her with realisation when they had gone for the council meeting.