Not All Heroes Are Guiltless

Chapter 89

Chapter 89

Dungan’s POV

I leave my cabin, almost unable to contain the excitement and joy. She’s awake and has the sweet mentality she would hold out for me. I’m not ready to release her, though. I need more time with her before I fully assess if she is a danger to herself.

Pulling her abused and broken body out of those rocks nearly broke me. If it wasn’t for the light heartbeat and the restricted rasp of air, I wouldn’t have believed I had made it in time. Traveling back to my ship off that shore with her fragile body against mine is the first time I’ve ever known to cry.

She’s awake now, so she can only get stronger. Sadly, I have to meet with the Lions for this peace treaty. I’ve avoided them for this long, but now it’s inevitable. Guess Lucas is going to learn he’s got more friends than he realized.

The ship comes to dock, and I see the welcome committee is stationed directly in the pathway. The captain has several men already uniformed to be my escort even though it’s a waste.

The herald moves to the dock and speaks with the sailor before turning and running back to the Lions. With a calculated glance, I see the Lion and Lioness and then several of their advisors. No, Lucas.

Walking with my escorts flanking, I walk down the dock towards the welcoming group. It’s the Lion who smiles at me and speaks loudly, “King Dungan of Bellar, it is a pleasure to meet you finally. Your habit of evasiveness of your presence in these matters has been noted in the past. I am grateful you are here now for this delicate situation.”

This meaning, I have often been considered the aggressor and didn’t find anything to do with the Lions would benefit me. Yet, this matter has more behind it than just a simple invasion of land that was claimed by another nation.

“I do apologize for the delay. Weather was not permitting fast travel.” I say with a respectful bow.

“Come! We have much to talk about, and the delegation from Redland is already settled in.” The Lion waves as he turns leads the way to a beach castle.

The Lions do not seem to want to dally in lucrative formalities. They are probably not enjoying the delegation from Redland then. I’ve been trying to guess who they would have sent for negotiations. With luck, it would be their new Commanding General. The coward puppet.

In the hallway, before the meeting rooms in the castle, a group comes rushing to intercept the Lions’ Procession. I could pick out the Crowned Prince easily after all the years working with him. “Lion, forgive me. I hurried as quickly as I heard the delegation from Bellar had arrived.”

“Ah good! King Dungan of Bellar. May I introduce you to my son. The Crowned Prince Lucas.” The Lion waves to me.

Lucas eyes honed into me, and I could almost hear him feasibly gulp. The Lion continues about how Lucas will be the meditator for this meeting. But, Lucas and I are fixated on a stare down between each other.

“Shadow? Is this a sick joke?” Lucas growls under his breath. The Lion stops in his speech and turns almost accusingly at his son. “King of Bellar?”

“No. It's not a joke. I am King Dungan.” I say quietly, but knowing any lion-shifter could hear me.

Lucas fists clench tightly, “What role did you play in the death of Princess AmAela of Redland?”

I tilted my head to the side and then recognized the intent of the question. He’s must have been told I killed her in battle, and since he recognized her as my mate he’s now confused. “I was told by the prisoners the Princess was driven mad and jumped to her death the night before my army pushed Redland out of the independent port of Gilliam. I had no role in her death, and she did not die on the battlefield I was waging.”

Silence filled the room while Lucas seemed to assess me. The Lion nods and turns to his son, “He speaks truth. He had no role in her death, my son. The Redland Commander has already lied to us. I understand she was your main contact with Redland, but her loss should not stop us from mediating this peace. Now, I have heard some reports about you being the elusive Shadow. My son’s acknowledgment makes me more concerned about the safety of my people. We want nothing to do with the dark manner you have a habit of manipulating.”

“Father, I can vouch for his character. Shadow has traveled often in our lands and even saved me from certain deaths. He never tried to manipulate anyone for his own gain. His intentions with every encounter I had of him were always honorable.” Lucas says lowly. The Lion rolls his eyes at him, though, in almost a refusal to listen.

A feline and feminine voice hisses out, “The Prince is correct, my pride. I have even encountered Shadow, and he was policing our own wilds while we were dealing with the Cortan’s rebellion. If it wasn’t for him, then why would I have lost much of our grounds while our energy was placed elsewhere.”

The Lion sighs heavily, “It seems your presence has been noted, King Dungan. Do not expect my gratitude for any events that happened in the past.”

“I never wanted your gratitude.” I say, crossing my arms. The Lion eyes me, and I can sense his anger brewing, and I honestly, I find myself intrigued. He’s older than me by a few centuries, but yet he still feels threatened by me. Deep down, I feel ready to take any opportunity he leaves for me.

Lucas positions himself between us, “King Dungan, would you mind following me? I have a few questions before we sit down with the Redland delegation.”

“That’s fine.” I say, uncrossing my arms. Lucas leads to a side room that looks like a makeshift library. Lucas dismisses his attendants, and I motion for my men to halt. I can see their protests, but I am positive this will be fine.

As soon as the door closes, Lucas pulls up his time bubble trick, “Shadow? What the f**k? I am supposed to be impartial in this situation!”

I laugh full heartedly, “An I haven’t noticed your leniency towards Redland?”

“Only because she was there.” Lucas says and shakes his head. “When I heard about war breaking out, I was trying to find any way I could send reinforcements thinking I would send them just to protect her. I was too late.”

I watch as he seems almost lost in his grief and I realized they were closer than I assumed, “Are you certain the Queen and everyone of importance confirmed her death?”

“You confirmed the rumors. Marquis Andrew is here and he lied about how she died so we weren’t certain. You confirmed he lied so all we have is rumors.” Lucas says shaking his head. “I still feel like I betrayed you. She was your mate.”

“She still is.” I whisper and he looks up at me with shock. “She was severely injured and just woke up moments before we anchored. I’d like to go back to her as quickly as I can.”

“That’s a bargaining chip you could use. Her safe return…” Lucas starts to say.

“No! She is dead to Redland. I will not give her over to my demonic mother.” I growl lowly and Lucas seems stunned.

He walks up and places his face in front of mine. “Can I see her?”

“No.” I say smugly.

“I want to see her.” He says in my ear with a strictness.

“You owe me too much to get what you want from me.” I growl lowly. The door opens and both of us move away from each other.