Chapter 8 #2
A soldier strides in our direction. There isn’t one speck of dust or blood on him. It seems to me he didn’t lift a finger during the battle.
“The enemy has retreated, Your Majesties,” he announces.
“Excellent,” Ruel replies.
Ronan, Saxon, Manu, Cheryl, Karl, and Solomon join our group. In the chaos, I lost track of them, but I’m relieved they aren’t hurt. The tension in the air increases exponentially, especially from Manu. She glares at Queen Maewe openly. Hell, I hope she doesn’t do something stupid.
Silence reigns supreme. I suppose we’re all waiting for Queen Maewe’s next move. I hate that our fate is once again in the hands of this bitch.
“What are your orders, my queen?” the soldier asks.
“Return to your station. It seems you weren’t needed after all.”
The soldier narrows his eyes slightly, letting me know the queen doesn’t have his absolute support. I bet there are more people in Aquila who would love to see Queen Maewe lose her head, starting with Vivi’s father.
“My father is aware of King Titus’s treachery. He’s called for a grand council meeting,” the Nightingale who joined us chimes in.
“That’s unnecessary,” Queen Maewe replies, looking bored already.
The male seems to grow taller. “Forgive me, I misspoke, Your Majesty. He’s not asking for your permission. There will be a grand council meeting whether you choose to attend or not. All the other rulers have confirmed their attendance save for the heir of Tenebris.”
From the corner of my eye, I catch Saxon mouth to Aurora, “Burn.”
“Where will the grand council meeting take place?” the queen asks.
“I suggested here, Your Majesty. But if you’re not willing to attend, then we can easily host it in Lynx.”
Queen Maewe lifts her chin. “No. We’ll have the meeting here. We’re the kingdom that Titus attacked, after all. The meeting will take place tomorrow. I don’t want to give that snake time to regroup.”
She glances at Miranda and Rikkon for a second, her eyes brimming with hate. Then she switches her attention to Vivi and me, and disgust shines in her gaze. I throw it right back at her. She snorts in derision before she vanishes from sight.
“Rik, you can put me down now,” Miranda tells Rikkon.
“I don’t mind carrying you, my love.”
“Aha! I knew you were sniffing around her skirt,” Saxon pipes up.
I shake my head. Only Saxon would open his piehole in this moment.
Aurora hits his chest with the back of her hand. “Sax, we talked about that.”
“Miranda is the woman I love,” Rikkon announces. “You’d better get used to it.”
Saxon smiles. “That’s good to know. Then you have my blessing.”
Aurora turns to him, mouth agape. “Okay, we really need to have a serious conversation about your role in our family.”
Good luck with that, Aurora.
“Now that my lovely wife is gone,” Ruel chimes in, “I’d very much like to know how you lot managed to find a way back into Ellnesari.”
Solomon takes a step forward. “I can answer that, Your Majesty, but not before we’re all rested and fed.”
The male grins, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Very well. It shall be done.”
“Wait. We’re not going back home now?” Miranda asks.
Solomon turns to her. “I’m afraid we’re going to need some assistance from our hosts for that.”
Shit. If that means needing Queen Maewe’s assistance, we’re screwed.
VIVIENNE
My mind is spinning. I have my abilities back, and I can’t believe it’s true.
I had resigned myself to never again feel the power of the wind course through my veins, and now that I’m whole again, I don’t know how I managed to survive all those years without my essence.
No wonder Rikkon did what he did to try to help me.
The sharp pain of guilt returns with a vengeance, making my chest tighten. I’ve been feeling wretched since I learned about all the sacrifices my brother made for me because I was foolish enough to challenge our mother. I regret ever resenting him for it when I didn’t know any better.
I make sure my expression doesn’t betray my turmoil, though. Lucca has been paying close attention to me since we returned to the palace. Unlike the rest of our party, who are more interested in checking out the grandeur of my childhood home, he keeps his eyes on me.
Does he feel differently about me now that I have my powers back?
I’m sure I don’t seem the same to him. He must be able to sense the change in me.
Does that bring back horrible memories? My mother killed his, then cursed his entire family.
The fact that he loves me despite all that never ceases to surprise me.
But maybe now I remind him too much of the female he hates.
I’m so lost in thought that I don’t notice my father has escorted us to my old quarters, and the rest of the gang is gone. When we stop in front of the intricate double doors, he glances at me. “Welcome home, my daughter.”
“This isn’t home anymore,” I say.
His eyes seem to grow sad, but the reaction vanishes quickly—perhaps I imagined that. My father was never a male to display emotion. I don’t even know if he’s capable of it.
“It may not be home now, but you’re the crown princess of Aquila. One day, this will all be yours.”
Chills run down my spine. He’s speaking as though my ascension to the throne is imminent. Nightingales can live forever, and for an heir to ascend, the ruling monarch needs to step down. I don’t see my mother ever giving up power.
“I’m not sure I want it.”
Dad’s eyes grow larger. “Hush, child. Don’t throw careless words to the wind.”
He’s not wrong to reproach me. I forgot where I was for a second. Here in Ellnesari, spoken words have power.
I take a deep breath. “What’s next?”
“Now, you must rest. Your friends are staying in the apartment next to yours.”
“Are they safe?” I ask.
My father doesn’t answer for a couple of beats, and that doesn’t bring me comfort. “They are… for now. I’ve warded their quarters. Not even your mother can enter.”
“Good.”
“I must go. There’s much to plan. Rest well, child.” He bows his head and then walks the wind without acknowledging Lucca at all.
“I guess your father doesn’t like me much either, huh?”
“I wouldn’t take his aloofness toward you personally. He’s like that with everyone.”
I stare at the door but make no motion to touch it. The magic is still keyed to my core—I can feel the soft humming of its vibrations, calling to me.
“So, do you have a key?”
“Yes… I’m the key.” I press my palm against the silver wood, and it opens inward for me.
It’s crazy how fast my heart is beating now.
I can’t believe I’m this nervous about entering my own damn apartment.
Each step I take forward feels like a chore.
This used to be my haven, my safe place away from the wickedness of my mother’s court.
Now, it’s a foreign space, even though everything looks the same.
The curtains framing the tall windows are open, and the rays of sunlight coming through the stained glass turns the room into a kaleidoscope.
The crescent-shaped white couch facing the fireplace still has my favorite blanket draped over the back.
The white fur rug in front of the couch is as inviting as ever.
Fresh flowers have been brought in, and since my mother didn’t know I was coming, servants must have taken care of my quarters during my banishment.
I take everything in, trying to control my emotions.
I don’t dare to continue my exploration into my bedroom.
A sob gets lodged in my throat. Lucca hugs me from behind and kisses my shoulder.
He doesn’t ask how I am; he knows this is hard for me.
I melt into his body, relieved that he still wants to touch me like nothing has changed.
I wish I could be as certain of his thoughts, though. But facing my mother has brought back all my insecurities. I turn in Lucca’s arms and look into his warm brown eyes. “How are you holding up?”
His brow furrows, and he cups my cheek. “I’m okay, sweetheart. It’s you I’m worried about.”
Tears roll down my face. I close my eyes, leaning into his caress. He wipes the moisture with his thumb before he kisses my cheeks, then the corner of my mouth.
“Lucca…”
“I love you so much, Vivi. So much.”
I stare into his eyes again. “You’re not repulsed by me now that I’m a full Nightingale princess again?”