They both knew that no matter how much she complained, Titania had given up as a ruler and Vovin had saved her from more stress and boredom from her former position as much as saving the inhabitants of their world.
"I didn't come here to speak of my past anyways," Titania said. "You will remember that I was invited here to speak of a matter of great importance to all of us."
He nodded. It was important to establish that he was still the king and still had the authority and power here, but now that that was taken care of, they needed to take care of a more vital issue.
"We have matters of greater importance to discuss. You have heard of the whispers?" Vovin asked.
She nodded. "As you know, I had a premonition that something would be afoot here years ago. It's the reason I sent my daughter to the Original. But all of this is concerning. I had not realized that I would be in a place now where all my efforts to protect the child had ended with her being placed in more danger with less defenses." She sighed. "It almost makes me think I might have made a mistake," Titania said.
He rolled his eyes. "I think that's very clear now. She's vulnerable and untrained, and at the worst possible time." They both knew what was happening in the world. The Red Guard as Vovin's personal spies had sniffed out a good concept of the breadth and scope of the trouble, the queen had all of the Fey at her beck and call, and they used their eyes and ears to spy in places others couldn't infiltrate. Together, their knowledge covered almost everything happening in their world, but they knew that simply knowing about concerning events did not provide them a way to change the course that had been set.
"I'm worried," Vovin admitted. "We've put all the pieces in place to keep our people and our children safe, but there's no guarantee it will work out in the end. I've spent so many years dealing with so many different rebellions and squabbles, but this is bigger than what either of us have dealt with before."
She clasped his shoulder. "I am here. You will deal with this, as you have always done, and I will lend you a hand. This will be okay."
He nodded, knowing in his heart that he wasn't sure it really would be. The biggest piece of the puzzle was his sons doing what he expected of them, and it was hard to know exactly what was going through their minds.
"We can always talk to them, you know. They will certainly be able to help, in all of this; and of course their loyalty is unquestioned," Titania said.
He blanched at the thought. "Them? I don't think that's a very wise idea, my dear. One must think of strategy for now, and the future, you know. There won't be much of a future to be had if we include them," Vovin argued.
She shrugged at him. "Use all the tools you have available. There's her to consider; she'd surely help you, and of course you have an ace up your sleeve. I don't think the immediate problem is of much concern; I am here because I am worried about what comes after this storm has blown through. You realize that with all of this the one thing greater than any of these other problems will crop up and you will have to resort to some desperate measures," Titania said.
Vovin nodded. Why hadn't he thought of that? He was smarter than she was. But he knew why he hadn't mentioned that possibility before. He had been reserving that option, trying to let the boy lead a normal life, to let his son grow and figure out some of his problems on his own without the worry and fear of what came next that was always part of this responsibility. But she was right, the time had come to involve him as well. He just wondered what the boy was up to for now.
A knock at the door interrupted his musings. He approved the disruption, and his footman ushered in Alabastor and the vampires.
"My liege," Cillean said. They all bowed.
Vovin gestured for them
