Chapter 53
Rylee
I never truly allowed myself to visualize this day.
Voting Day.
The day we’ve been careening toward since the Athanry.
The day my mates deserve to take their rightful place as rulers of Lumathyst. The day that will, hopefully, change our realm’s future for the better.
I certainly never imagined I’d wake up with the intent to slip into the mind of one of the most powerful people in Lumathyst.
“I might throw up,” I say, half jokingly, as Ivy and Layce help me get ready in the morning.
“That rug is a thousand years old,” Mirren calls from across the room. “Don’t.”
I laugh, the action helping wash away some of the churning in my stomach.
Layce is applying my makeup. Ivy is selecting a gown. It all feels so familiar.
A full-circle sensation, yet everything is upside down.
I’m no longer a girl sneaking into a party I shouldn’t be at in the hopes of finding her missing sister.
I’m a princess of Lumathyst, mated to the Legends of Chaos, boldly going into an event with the intent to put an end to the injustices within the kingdom.
“You all need to arm yourselves,” I say once I’ve slipped into the flowing black gown Ivy has chosen for me. The yards of featherlight fabric flare at my waist and hang down, easily concealing the dark leggings I wear beneath it, along with the boots and the blades strapped to my thighs.
On the outside, I look like a princess awaiting the approval of a group of people I never should’ve needed it from. Beneath the surface, I’m armed with more than just steel. My mates’ barely contained powers roam beneath my skin. Pierce’s are dominating my soul the most in this moment.
“You really think Erin was giving you a warning?” Layce asks, selecting a few knives from the chest I have in the corner and hiding them beneath her skirts, too.
“I do,” I say. “If I’m wrong, then you’re armed for no reason.
If I’m right and the Faders decide to attack the palace today, then the last thing I want is you unprepared.
” Acid bubbles up the back of my throat.
I hope I’m wrong. “Don’t hold back,” I say because I can’t stop myself.
“If you need to use your powers, do it.”
Ivy arches a brow at me. “You’re serious?”
“Dead serious,” I say. “One way or another, we’re coming out of the shadows. Either we win the vote and my mates become kings, or we lose it, and . . .”
Goddess, if we lose it and the kings deny them their seats . . .
“You’ll challenge them,” Layce finishes for me.
I nod, a knot of guilt forming in my throat.
“The princes don’t know that,” Mirren says, stepping toward me with her head tilted. “Do they?”
I shake my head. “They wouldn’t let me take the risk if they did,” I say. “And I hate keeping anything from them. You know I do. But they deserve those thrones. Lumathyst deserves them as kings.”
“And you,” Mirren says. “Stop leaving yourself out of the equation. You aren’t some tool the princes needed. You’re their mate. Lumathyst needs you as their queen.”
I open and close my mouth a few times. I don’t know what to say to that. “Be on your guard,” I say, then turn to Mirren. “Please?”
“I’ve lived a good long life, girl.” Mirren smirks. “I’m always on my guard.”
The elevator doors glide open, revealing the glorious glass balcony, the sun glittering off its smooth surface.
There are a lot of people up here for the voting event, though not as many as the Choosing.
The kings, the Royal Authority Council and their families, and a few exclusively invited guests.
The elite enforcers and a dozen or so regular ones. My friends will join us momentarily.
After a deep breath, I take the first step out of the elevator, donning a mask of gratitude and civility as we weave through the crowd.
It’s not that I’m not grateful for the Royal Authority Council; I am.
The idea of a group of elected officials to check the kings is a wonderful one.
I’m more upset that they never truly served a purpose until it came time for my mates to ascend the throne.
They were complicit in the atrocities some of the kings’ laws enforced, and while it may have been out of fear, it’s still wrong.
Another change we’ll have to make.
Change. The most important motivation driving all of this.
Change for Lumathyst. For the better.
I focus on that as we mingle, sampling the food prepared for the event while music filters through the space, casting an upbeat backdrop to my increasing fear.
I glance over at Pierce, Axl, and Kal, all remaining nearby, covertly watching me as they pretend to be interested in the small talk around them.
We have a plan. In and out. A small glimpse of what’s in Baydel’s head, and that’s it. Then, at the first sign of the trouble Erin hinted at, I’m to join the three of them, none of us left vulnerable or alone this time.
Ivy and Layce and Mirren join the event soon after, eating and sticking to the shadows, ever watchful.
After an hour of this farce with no attacks or hints of one, I’m hopeful Erin was wrong or I misunderstood.
I’ve had my eye on Baydel the entire time, watching him carefully. He’s barely left Margreet’s side, like the past events. She’s hanging on his every word, looking up at him like he created the stretch of endless blue sky above us.
My stomach turns.
It’s now or never. He’s fully immersed in conversation with her, her father, and a few other members of the RAC, his Occuli not far away. And One. The elite is there, motionless as he watches his charge.
Luckily for me, I won’t be waging a physical attack today. I would hate to die by One’s hand. He wouldn’t make it quick.
I have to hope no Occuli up here, Baydel’s or otherwise, senses my invasion.
“Come, mate,” Pierce says, guiding me to a table near the edge of the balcony. “Let’s sit and play while we wait for the verdict.” He’s speaking louder than he normally would, drawing just enough attention for the guests to see us sit down, a game board between us.
A task to cover for my deep concentration. After all, anyone brave enough to take on the Mind needs to focus.
Ivy, Layce, and Mirren also head over to us, sitting near Kal and Axl, creating a half circle that helps keep me from view but looks natural enough.
Adrenaline spirals through me now that we’re all set. Pierce will make comments on my plays, but he’ll really be playing solo. It’s the perfect time.
The only time.
My stomach rolls, nausea washing over me in a wave. I might actually throw up.
Later.
I can break down and panic later. Right now, the clock is ticking.
And I don’t have much time. The most powerful king in Lumathyst will only be distracted for so long.
I swallow down the panic, the icy fear threatening to freeze me to the spot, and cast Pierce’s power toward Baydel’s mind.