Chapter 44
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
ALINA
My heart raced as I stopped by the door that was left partially ajar.
I looked into the brightly lit room before entering.
It was an elegant study, filled with furniture and art.
The tall windows let in sunlight that landed on the pristine, hardwood floors.
The room belonged to Augusta. I was sure that she was the one who decorated it according to her taste.
It was adorned with silks of soft beige and sky blue, its refinement far surpassing every other room in the palace.
Augusta was working at her fashionable, mahogany desk. Her delicate dip pen moved with soft, meticulous steadiness.
“Your Majesty?” She raised her head.
“Lady Augusta.”
“Is there something I can help you with?” She appeared composed, but more subdued than that time we spoke in the stables.
I stepped into the room, looking at the pictures in sturdy, gilded frames. Augusta patiently waited for me to start, but I was not about to put all my cards on the table. I had to be able to trust her and as things stood, I barely trusted anyone.
Slowly, I brushed my fingers against a side table, noticing that its surface was freshly dusted. Was she the kind of person who liked everything a certain way? Was she careful and calculating, or had I misread her entirely?
“I wonder when will we have the pleasure of seeing your father?” I met her gaze.
Her lips were pressed tightly together. Was she displeased about something? Was she scared?
“Unfortunately, my father’s health—”
“Yes, I remember,” I interrupted her.
A wave of irritation arose from deep in my chest. I knew what she was doing. For some reason, her father thought that keeping us in the dark was going to work. But, playing by their rules was dangerous, especially if we did not know what game we were in.
I picked up a statuette of a dragon and traced my fingertips along its wings.
“You are the oldest child. Why didn’t he make you his heir?”
Her head snapped up, her eyes widened. I placed the figurine back on the table.
“My father had his reasons.”
“Did he prefer to grant his blessings to his son instead?”
“With all due respect, you don’t know how things are.”
“Don’t you think you could lead your clan?”
“No!”
“No?” My eyes met hers. “Why not?”
“As I said, there are many reasons.”
“And the most important reason, I suppose, is that you’re a woman.”
Augusta’s face went almost artificially pale. Without realizing it, she placed her pen right on the snow white paper, the drops of ink immediately stained her letter.
“I am not in the position to question—”
“But you are in a position to question him.”
“Your majesty—.”
“You could be the new leader.”
“I was not brought up—”
“Weren’t you?”
“This conversation is treasonous to the clan, and to my father.”
I stepped closer to the desk, locking my eyes on her.
“Do you understand what’s at stake? Another war would open the gates of your city to the disease. If the clans start fighting, no one wins. Free cities will fall.”
“My father—”
“Your father ceded his powers to his son, then his son challenged my husband. And lost.”
She remained silent. I could easily tell what she was thinking, but was not bold enough to say. She knew that the white clan would never accept Tynan as the new clan leader. There would be never ending fights that would weaken all the land.
“I understand how difficult it is for you, but the lives of your people are on the line.”
“Your majesty—”
“The question is how far are you willing to go to save your clan.”
“I will die to protect my people.” In her eyes, I saw fire and determination.
“Your choice is to take what is rightfully yours or let this city burn in endless conflicts,” I finished in a whisper.
“I need to think about it.” She lowered her gaze, playing with the pen.
Black ink stained her fingers but she did nothing to wipe her skin, she just stared at it transfixed.
“One last thing . . .” I said after I turned away. “It is a privilege to serve your people.” With those words, I pushed the door open.