34. Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Four
I watched the king speak with guards before following him and his closest guard down the hall to the ballroom. It’s been years since I shadowed him, learning how to be a leader, and now that I knew the truth I understand why he was so... unbothered.
He got everything he wanted. A kingdom, a title, everything, all behind a mask.
I wanted to deny Mother’s claims. She lied to me. Kept secrets.
But the truth was out, and I felt… relieved.
My reaction to Desmire took me by surprise. He felt warm, and accepting, and proud of me for existing. I’d seen many fathers in the kingdom show their daughters tenderness.
Lacha… Verin… Showed pride in my accomplishments, my usefulness. He’d been more affectionate since the prince’s arrival than he had in a long time.
I wanted to make him proud, be a good daughter, but most of the time I failed his standards. I came to terms with that.
“Have my daughter meet me at the cottage in an hour, Serim.”
Serim was quiet, never bothered talking to me unless he had orders. He seemed all right, but did he know who he took orders from?
Who else knew? Surely someone so evil and who bragged about his intelligence would not be alone in enemy territory.
“Of course, my king.” Serim bowed, his red hair shimmered in the rays of the skylight above.
Shit. I needed to move. On soft steps, I raced to the stairs and turned around, hand on the railing as if I were descending.
Serim bowed his head politely when he noticed me and kept walking.
I paused and watched him disappear out the palace doors.
Um... what? Didn’t he have something to tell me?
“There’s my little gem,” Father’s voice bellowed from across the throne room.
He’s not my father. He’s evil. He’s… hugging me.
“Your handmaiden was quite ecstatic to show me her designs for your wedding dress. I am glad to see you are embracing this engagement.”
Keeping my face and body neutral was hard.
“Yes. I think we will be very happy together. We’ve been talking about living in Crysia afterward—”
His eyebrow arched, then he laughed.
“Oh, little gem, you are a prize to be taken back to his kingdom. A future queen to solidify our future with a powerful ally. Your mother and I will ensure Crysia’s future together. Your turn will come in Regno De Lupi once Prince Torin ascends the throne.”
I was not told any of this, and I didn’t like the way he said it. Did he always talk to me like this? Or was this how I interpreted his words knowing his secret?
He can’t know that you know.
I smiled.
“Of course, Father. I guess I was lost in thought when Tor told me that.” Gag.
The king shook his head. Golden eyes looked me over and I felt the coldness in them. A stark contrast to Desmire’s swirling silver depths that spread warmth and safety.
“That prince has a mighty task taming my wild gem. But in time, you two will find your rhythm like your mother and I.” He placed a hand on my shoulder and squeezed.
Don’t flinch, don’t flinch.
“Now, I think I will take a walk. It’s a beautiful day. I’ll see you at dinner. Your prince has promised us a meal from his homeland.”
He smiled, the edges of his lips more pointed than I remembered.
A concoction of emotions rolled inside me. Guilt, anger, sadness, shame.
How could he be Verin? My brain refused to process it.
Would he truly kill me if he knew his brother sired me?
Celestine and my mother warned me not to say a thing. Which is the only reason I didn’t push when he walked out of the palace.
Servants walked around, ignoring me as I stared at the palace doors.
A tingling sensation in my thoughts demanded to be heard. A feeling, that I needed answers and to follow him grew within.
“You’re looking down, prin—” I jumped as a male voice came from the stairs beside me.
“What in the?” There was no one there. My mind instantly registered who was here, but invisible.
My hand covered my chest, and I took deep breaths to calm my racing heart. “You scared me.”
“Would it make you feel better if you knew I was naked?”
“You’re not naked, right?” I was afraid to know the answer.
“Nah, but it’s a fun sight, right?”
I groaned. I completely forgot I hired the Goat Fae to spy on my parents. I’d learned so much that it wiped the memory away until now.
“So. You ready for the goods?”
No, but that didn’t stop me from nodding.
“Well, your mom is... distant. Your handmaiden is hot and did a good job distracting them for you. And, your dad is conspiring to consume all of magic with his other daughter, but all around, I’d say your family isn’t the worst I’ve seen.”
I choked and my every muscle froze as ice coated my veins.
I waited for the chill in my hands to call him a liar, but my palms were warm.
“He’s trying to consume all magic?”
And he has another daughter?
“Have my daughter meet me at the cottage in an hour, Serim.”
Serim walked right past me. The king acknowledged me and left the palace. They weren’t talking about me. I should have seen… known… it just didn’t click in my head.
“Yeah. Pretty fucked up. I’ve gotta go, but if you need me, just call for a spider and I’ll show up.”
I felt the woosh of wind from his departures as he left me alone on the stairs. My knees wobbled, and my heart beat so loud I swore it could be heard bouncing off the walls.
Everything I knew was wrong.
My throat clogged, and my eyes burned.
This was too much. I wasn’t prepared, and where did I even go from here? Lachan was Verin, my uncle. Verin was planning to consume all magic.
How? Why? What did consuming magic even mean?
I had to stop him. Fuck, how did I stop him?
Tor saw me and rushed over. “Hey, Sapphira. Glad I caught you before your schedule whisked you away. Come join me in the kitchen while I cook.”
He didn’t see how close I was to losing it. He smiled as I gripped his arm and inched my body closer not because I wanted him but because I feared I’d crumble to the floor and cry.
Somehow, I smiled at all the right moments as Tor talked and chopped carrots and then deboned fish from the river. Every few minutes he’d focus on stirring and I’d look him over for signs of harm. But he appeared the same as I knew him. I don’t even think he’d cut his hair since arriving.
He saw me looking and leaned over to give me a kiss. “You’re gonna love living in Regno De Lupi.”
That future, even if I didn’t want it, felt like an illusion.
If Verin succeeded, he’d be what… the most powerful Fae? That would change everything about our realm depending on how he used such power.
I couldn’t allow it. I loved this kingdom, this realm.
I’d figure it out. I’d find a way. There wasn’t another option.