Winter's War (Her Guardians series Book 4)(31)

“But?” I ask, knowing that every deal comes with a price, and she smiles.

“You make a law, a law that bans any aggression against halfs. A law that recognises halfs as a breed, and we become part of the council for supernaturals.”

“How do you know about the council?”

“We know many things here. We know you have three representatives from each race. We want three on your council, it would be me, Chesca, and Mila,” she tells me.

“Why don’t you take your people and run? Let us deal with the war. You haven’t come to us before this, and I’m confused why you have invited us now,” I ask because they have been hiding throughout the supernatural wars that have already happened.

“We don’t want to live like this, I don’t want my people to live underground and hidden for the rest of their lives because of who they are,” she tells me.

“Freddy is a half, and heir to both the shifter and vampire throne. Freddy is on the wolf council and will be attending meetings when he turns sixteen. He will also be heir to the angel and witches, unless I have a child, but then that child would be a half, anyway. I will never let the mere fact that he is a half be used against him. Things are changing already, and I feel I would be offering you little in return for your army and help. This is already going to happen, halfs will be accepted,” I say firmly. I don’t want to make a deal with her for something that is going to happen, anyway. That’s lying to her and not how I want to be. I’m not a queen built on lies.

“You are a smart Queen and said the words I needed to hear,” Soobeen says, leaning forward and tilting her head at me.

“That was a test?” I ask with a small smile. It’s a smart move on her end, too.

“Yes. If there was any way you wouldn’t accept your own step son, then there is no way I could trust you,” she tells me. I look over at Freddy, who grins. I’ve never heard anyone refer to him as my step son, but I do like him being called it. I would be proud to be any kind of mum to Freddy.

“So . . . we have a deal?”

“You still want a deal for those things, despite the fact that most would happen anyway?” I ask, and she nods, holding her hand out for me.

“Winter, it’s been fifteen minutes, do you need us?” Atti says.

“No. We are making a deal now, and they can help us. I’m fine,” I say back and feel relief down my bond with them all only a minute later. I lean forward and shake her hand.

“I will give you the places on the council and a safe home in the castle for your people. There are a lot of us living there now, but many houses in the woods. So, we will find room,” I tell her, and she looks relieved as she lets go of my hand and sits back.

“Thank you, My Queen. I will move our people to your castle tonight, I hear it’s the only place safe now?” she asks me.

“Until the Winter solstice. That is when the war is coming. I will be honest with you, the demon king will send his army to destroy us. It’s going to be one hell of a fight,” I tell her, and she nods, standing up.

“Our people have lost a lot, but there is finally hope with you on the throne. A half human, quarter demon, and quarter Goddess. Any child you may have would be more than a half could ever be. You are our hope.”

“I have one more question before we leave,” I ask, not standing up with her.

“Yes?” she asks me, sitting down once more when she sees the serious look I’m giving her. I know there’s a chance the royal half fray child is here, and I can’t be anywhere near the child. I need to make sure that part of my promise never comes true.

“Are there any half fray children here?” I ask.

“You know about fray?” she asks me, and I nod.

“One boy,” she tells me, with a nervous expression.

“I need to meet him,” I tell her.

“Why?” she says, and I can’t miss the hostility in her tone this time. The boy must be close to her.

“I made a promise with the Queen of Fray, for her help in the war. I know I’ve made a mistake, but I promised to send a half fray child over to her, a royal that she said she cannot find here on earth.” I tell her the whole truth, there is no point clouding the truth when it’s clear the half fray boy means something to her.

“My son is the only half fray here, and he is no royal as his father told me he was a guard, but you may meet him to make sure,” she says.

“I will call my sister to bring him here,” she tells me, before her eyes glow white and she is silent for a little while. When her eyes return to normal, I wait a little before saying anything.

“What do you know about the fray?” I ask her, knowing that she might be able to tell us something about the help they will bring.

“I met my son’s father only once, and it was a one-night stand. I don’t know much about their kind, but my son has control over storms and water. I’m a vampire mixed with an angel, so that is not from me, and no, I didn’t get wings when I received my powers. The fray I met had dark-blue hair and strange, blue flower-like marks down his arms. My son doesn’t have those marks yet, but he is only fourteen,” she tells me, knowing that most supernaturals don’t get their marks until they turn sixteen. They also get their extra powers. I glance at Freddy, wondering what he will get then, if any. He is already so strong, with his immunity to silver and fast healing.