Chapter 7
Ambrose
My head pounded fiercely, though Arianna hummed sweetly to herself, waiting for Evander to finish with the buttons of my vest. I breathed through the pain and my rising vexation.
Arianna’s voice was becoming a drone that grated on my ears, and it never seemed to stop.
And Sybil, she shielded against me during our meeting earlier, though I don’t know how.
Her emotions were always there on the surface just days before, so potent and strong, ready for me to grab hold of.
It was like she pushed them onto me, letting me feel and feed upon them.
But today, I felt a drop of fear, of dread, and then nothing.
There was absolutely nothing. It wasn’t like the shield that Samian had, a gleaming silver wall that sat between us, or the warm golden-green glow of Aster’s magic.
It was a dark, fathomless pit, a void that ate away everything she felt.
The haunting voice had become more prominent in Sybil’s presence as well.
I felt exhausted, weak. I half wondered if her magic was feeding on me, but I knew it was an insane thought as soon as it crossed my mind.
She was barely fae. Her magic may resemble the queen’s enough that the public would side with me once they see Sybil’s power, but she was nothing more than a disgusting human.
To have the kind of magic that would allow her such a thing?
No, the thought wasn’t even worth continuing.
The door opened, and I snarled as Hale entered the room. Evander’s hand stilled, his breath turning slow and careful. I breathed in his fear, along with Hale’s, letting them fill and replenish me. My headache slightly eased. Maybe I was using too much of my magic, using more than I was taking in.
Hale cleared his throat, his fear lessening. “Sybil is in the receiving room, and the lords are waiting for you in the council room.”
“Perfect,” I said, swatting Evander’s hand away. He may be Hale’s twin, but where Hale was calculating, Evander was simpler. But they both knew how to keep their mouths shut. “Come, Arianna dear. Let’s not keep our guests waiting.”
Arianna flashed me a bright, easy smile, looping her hand in the crook of my arm.
We made our way to the receiving room, where Sybil stood.
Her face was blank, but she eyed the trinkets on the shelves along the wall.
She threw me a sidelong glance when we entered the room, and when I opened myself up to her.
Nothing. Just that same deep void. Sybil’s hand curled, tightening into a fist, as if she knew what I was doing, yet boredom continued to reflect along the features of her face.
I frowned at her, much preferring the fearful little doe from the dungeons. “Come,” I hissed. “We’re late for the meeting.”
Sybil nodded, following Arianna and me out of the room. Hale led the way, opening the large double doors to the council room and announcing our arrival.
Throwing Arianna a wink, I brushed her off my arm and stepped forward. Arianna whined in protest but quieted when I threw her a pointed look, silently reminding her of her promise to keep our relationship hidden.
No one could know that she would be my consort yet.
If the lords found out before I could show them my power, their support would wane.
Arianna was good for a few things, but keeping her temper in check was something she could never master.
She had burned many bridges to get where she was and would not stop until she reached the top.
The lords were already in their seats around the large rectangular table, their impatience thickening the air.
As I walked by, one caught my attention.
Not a lord, I realized with a start. I stopped short, turning to the female with long, inky-black hair.
Those mahogany eyes of hers were on me, though I could never tell what she was thinking.
Her gaze always had a sinful look to it, even during our school days.
“Lady Ivara,” I purred, giving her a playful smile.
“This is a delightful surprise. To what do we owe the honor of your presence?”
Ivara lifted her chin, lips thinning. “I’m afraid my brother, Pasian, couldn’t make today’s meeting. I am here in his stead.” Ivara tilted her head, raising an eyebrow. “Is that alright, Lord Ambrose?” The lilt in her voice was full of bold defiance, daring me to challenge her.
“Of course not,” I laughed. “You are welcome here, though I hope to see Lord Pasian at the next meeting.”
Lady Ivara smiled devilishly, her sharpened teeth gleaming in the light, and shrugged. “We will see.”
I fought against a growl and pushed my magic toward the feline, but a shield firmly sat in place, blocking me from her. A sharp pain sliced through my head, the headache returning tenfold.
Reaching the chair at the head of the table, I sat in the queen’s seat that would soon be mine—the seat of a king.
Arianna stood behind me to my right, and Sybil, dressed in her black soldier's uniform, stood on my left.
I smiled, looking at each of the lords, but it faltered once I saw the last chair empty. “Where is Lord Astaroth?”
Lady Ivara let out a quiet laugh and leaned into the arm of her chair, looking at the other lords with wide, innocent eyes. The lords looked among themselves when the double doors slammed open.
Daelan Astaroth strolled in, his face the definition of pure arrogance.
Meeting my gaze, he stopped, bowing dramatically.
“My apologies, Ambrose,” he quipped. “I ran into an old friend and lost track of the time.” Daelan’s eyes strayed behind me, surprise flickering across his face. “I see we have a newcomer joining us.”
I watched how Daelan raked his gaze along Sybil’s body before he sauntered toward her. I turned my head, observing the way he took her hand, gracing it with a small kiss. He looked at her from under his lashes, giving her a wicked smile.
“And you are?” he asked, his voice deepening. I could taste his curiosity, his yearning for more.
“Sit, and I will introduce her, Daelan,” I growled, having had enough of his antics.
“As you wish,” he murmured, holding Sybil’s stare as he threw up his mental shield, cutting off his emotions from me. I watched Sybil’s throat bob. A whisper of shock escaped through whatever shield she created, but quickly vanished into nothingness.
The chill in the air grew, and Daelan threw me an amused glance.
He knew my dislike of others touching my belongings; he knew that Sybil, standing behind me, meant she was mine and mine alone.
I should have killed him long ago and let one of his insufferable brothers take his place. I snarled, my patience running thin.
Keeping his steps lazy, Daelan walked behind my chair, crossing the room. “Arianna,” he drawled. “Venomous as always.”
A choking sound came from Sybil, while easy laughter flitted across the room.
Arianna hissed, but Daelan ignored it, walking to the chair beside Ivara.
Shooing the pale-faced lord beside her, Lord Bramwell bared his rotting teeth at Daelan, grumbling as he moved down the table to the empty chair. Daelan sat, giving Ivara a quick wink.
“Now that we’re all here,” I said, sneering toward Daelan, “I would like to first thank everyone for coming on such short notice. There have been some deeply troubling events over the past few days. However, before we continue, I would like to introduce Sybil Hart. She was given the position of grand paladin and will work for me and the court.”
“And what are her qualifications?” Lord Loic scoffed. “She looks like one of those sniveling humans.”
“She is a human, well, mostly anyway. But she is powerful. I’ve seen her magic, how strong it is, and will become.
I found her in Mide, her powers bound for most of her life.
But once I released the bind, those powers grew at an astonishing rate.
She is more than qualified for the position, Lord Loic.
I assure you, and so can Commander Fenleth. ”
“And what of General Darktree?” Lord Vito asked. “Where is he?”
“Yes, that brings us to our next subject. Ezra Darktree has been tried and found guilty of treason.”
A mix of gasps and shouts exploded from the table, though Daelan and Ivara were suspiciously quiet.
Raising a hand, the lords halted their excitement, and I continued.
“Just days ago, we found evidence of General Darktree’s treason.
He was seen aiding the rebellion. We interrogated him, and he confessed.
He was sentenced but later escaped that night with the help of a few guards.
We searched their homes and found letters that prove they are rebel sympathizers.
“The rebels have been increasing their attacks on our soldiers, and now they have infiltrated our military. I have called this meeting for three reasons. First, we plan to host a public execution of these sympathizers. We need to show the public that we do not take kindly to those who support the rebels’ cause.
Second, I have received word from Queen Cassia.
She has once again extended her stay wherever she has journeyed.
Because of this, I believe we should hold a vote to allow me to step in as a temporary king.
With the increasing attacks, the assaults on our people, and now with supporters of the rebellion infesting our ranks, it's more evident than ever that we need a new leader until the queen returns.”
Hushed whispers echoed within the chamber. Shock, anger, surprise, and excitement all filled the air, and I pulled those emotions toward me. I fed on all of it, pushing it back to them—amplifying it.
“And the third?” Daelan said, all amusement and arrogance from before were gone.