Chapter 31
Chapter thirty-one
Friends in Low Places.
Selene Borealis
Iwas furious.
What had gotten into Percy?
Where was all her animosity coming from?
I was aware of my failings. I had been humbled and humiliated by them.
That was the very reason that she would be safe now.
I would not make the same mistakes again.
I would not overlook any potential threat, even those that came from people I knew and believed trustworthy.
True security was a lie, but Percy would find no safer place than beside me.
How could she say she didn’t love me anymore? The way she begged for me once we were alone, how she clung to me in her sleep, even crying out when I attempted to leave her, and she expects me to believe that she cares nothing for me?
It was insolence, disrespect, that I had allowed to continue for too long, and my attempts to set things right during our brief time in Ardens did not have the intended effect. I would correct such behaviour now. She needed discipline.
To be so roguish that she thought she could convincingly keep anything from me was an insult to my position and role as the one responsible for her welfare…
Perhaps I shouldn’t have been so insulted, so…
hurt by her behaviour. My failures were public and immeasurable.
I had believed that The New Foundation, especially after Adamantia’s letter, would have treated her with a certain level of respect and dignity.
I have been so wrong in so many ways; I may have been wrong again.
I pushed open the door to the Royal Greenhouse, a place that I had adopted since my short reign as Queen Regent after surviving Hades’ Delight poisoning, and I had cultivated every possible deadly plant the Borealis Kingdom had to offer.
There was something morbidly soothing in embracing that which almost killed me.
Percy was forbidden from this greenhouse.
Half the contents were a death trap waiting to snare anyone incautious or lacking in knowledge.
Not that either of those terms could ever be attributed to my flower witch, still, I did not want her in such a potentially dangerous environment.
It was fortunate for me that such an environment did not attract many.
It made the greenhouse a peaceful space.
“Leave and return to attend to your duties later today,” I instructed a gardener whose body was obstructed by a large Daphne bush.
The gardener laughed in response.
“Are you not aware of who you laugh at?” I questioned, already so angry that Father would have to forgive me if I made a deadly meal of one of the gardeners.
Simply thinking of my father filled me with a new wave of rage. Striking me. His carelessness with Percy. His insistence on marrying me off despite knowing how I feel about it. I almost wished Vasilios had been successful in his attempt to assassinate him.
The gardener began to slow clap.
I growled in impatience.
“You are asking for death,” I warned.
“At this point, such a threat from you feels empty,” Valen replied as he stepped out onto the pathway and fully into my view.
I held myself back from attacking. This was not the location for any kind of physical altercation. The surrounding flora was far more dangerous than my apparently still alive weaselling cousin.
“You’re alive, how?” I asked.
“Not pleased to see me?” he asked.
“I thought you were dead, but it seems Arvid has a lot to answer for,” I replied.
“That he does,” Valen agreed.
He was dishevelled, his clothing ill-fitting, his hair untamed. He was always so fastidious when it came to his appearance. Every strand of hair in place, clothing immaculate. Now he was simply a mess.
“You look terrible,” I commented.
“I feel amazing, all things considered,” he said.
“How are you alive, and how are you standing in my greenhouse on castle grounds?” I asked.
“This was once my home too; I know how to move around this castle as unseen as you do,” he answered.
“Why are you not rotting in a ditch in Halvorsen?” I asked.
“I’m useful,” he said cryptically.
“You’re here on Arvid’s bidding?” I said.
“He wishes.” Valen laughed.
“What are you doing here?” I asked. What nefarious purpose could he have to risk his life by showing up here?
“I want to make a deal with you, cousin,” he told me.
“No,” I answered.
“You don’t even know what I’m offering,” he said and pouted.
“There is nothing you can offer me that I want,” I told him.
“Maybe, but there are things that you need. That we both need,” he said. He smiled knowingly, “Do you want to hear me out?” he asked.
“Speak, before I lose my patience,” I ordered.
“I was expecting a thank you for being the reason your pet made it safely home to you, but I’m told Uncle Nyx took that honour for himself,” he said.
“What are you talking about?” I asked him, but I felt like the floor had been pulled from beneath me, and the hair on the back of my neck stood up.
“She never told you either, makes sense, I wonder what he has on her?” he mused.
“What of Percy?” I demanded, ignoring his mocking tone.
“As part of my release obligations, Arvid insisted that I ensure Percy and her soon-to-be dead friend made it safely out of The New Foundation territory and to House Maria. I chauffeured and ferried both ladies safely out of House Halvorsen and across the Oskar River. Without my help, your girl would still be marching around The New Foundation as the heir to Flores,” he said.
“Heir?” I questioned.
“Seems your pet is quite the pedigree after all, heir to a coven and a fallen kingdom. The New Foundation had big plans for her. She was going to be their poster child, the innocent face of a revolution. Arvid didn’t want that; he also didn’t want to be double-crossed.
He’s playing all the angles and quite frankly thinks himself above us all,” Valen explained.
“If you are the reason Percy escaped The New Foundation, why did Father claim she was rescued during an attack?” I asked.
“Probably has something to do with getting whatever he wants from you, or her, or both of you. I don’t know his motivations.
All I know is that someone very similar to Percy in appearance was seen moving through the castle grounds late last night, and that shortly after, Uncle Nyx was also spotted outside.
Seems he found your pet before she found you. ”
If what Valen said was true, my father had been alone with Percy long enough to convince her to go along with his lie about her rescue. What did he want from her?
“Something’s clicking into place, isn’t it? What was Daddy up to with your precious pet?” he gloated.
“I’ve not heard you make me an offer,” I told him.
“Ah, yes, I have some rather useful information concerning the plans of The New Foundation and what Arvid has up his sleeve. It’s not looking good for anyone, least of all for us,” he pointed between the two of us. “My dear cousin, if we don’t act smart, we risk losing everything,” he said.
“You’ve already lost everything,” I reminded him.
“Hardly, I’m loved in the north, truly it’s the reason I find myself here now and not imprisoned in the Halvorsen dungeons,” he replied.
“How can I be sure that anything you tell me isn’t a Halvorsen manipulation? You’re Arvid’s little errand boy now,” I questioned.
He frowned deeply.
“I’m no one's errand boy,” he spat.
“What are you then?” I asked in a mocking tone.
“I’m the future king and your soon-to-be husband,” he declared.
I laughed, truly.
“You are deluded,” I told him.
“Selene, the kingdom is about to implode on itself. I was able to essentially walk in here and discover more about the goings on of this castle in the space of a few hours than you yourself are aware of. I’ve been playing the role of grateful prisoner within Halvorsen for months.
I have information you can’t possibly know of.
I have contacts and alliances that could stabilise the northern Houses and give Borealis a fighting chance… And I know about Percy,” he said.
“What do you know about her?” I questioned, not liking the way he spoke.
“I’m surprised that no others have come to the same conclusion. It was so obvious once I realised —”
“Get to your point,” I demanded.
“A soul match,” he stated. “I knew it,” he said excitedly and pointed at my face waving his finger around. “Your expression is answer enough,” he said.
I growled in warning, “You don’t know what you’re talking about.” He had to die now. I couldn’t let him leave alive.
He waved his hand dismissively at me.
“I don’t care, Selene. I’m not asking for a love marriage.
I’m asking for a partnership. Neither of us can hold this kingdom together alone, but with both of us, we have a chance.
Oh, please, stop looking at me like that.
I’ll accept a blood oath, I know how you like a blood oath.
I’ve not told anyone about my suspicions so far, and I’m not about to start now.
Your secret stays safe with me, I reveal the inner workings of The New Foundation and their planned attack, Arvid’s twisted vision and just which of the nobility has been entertaining him recently, the kingdom is saved, our enemies are destroyed, peace and happiness for everyone, and all it will cost you is your hand in marriage and cooperation with me, your cousin.
We’re family, Selene. Despite everything that has happened between us, have I ever truly attempted to harm you? ”
“You helped to murder my mother and tried to murder my father,” I reminded him.
“I had nothing to do with Aunty Arae’s death,” he said defiantly.
“Father only told me about that after the fact. I loved Aunty Arae. I would never have had anything to do with her death,” he told me seriously.
“Uncle Nyx, that’s a different story,” he admitted.
“We’re family. And we used to get along,” he said.
“We were children,” I replied.
“We were the best of friends, for a time. We could be again. Think it through, yes? You don’t have to make a decision yet, but I have a feeling you’ll change your mind soon,” he told me, and his attention was behind me.
Heidi was walking towards the greenhouse doors.
“Selene,” she called as she burst through the doors. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere we need to talk…” she trailed off as she noticed Valen. “Well, you found what we needed to talk about,” she said.
“I’m afraid we’ve never met. I am Valen Ardens,” he introduced himself.
“Eww,” she said, disgusted, and looked back at me. “He was with Percy,” she said accusatorily.
“I’ve already explained and revealed this,” he said tiredly, “I’ll be going now, but I’m sure we’ll be in touch. Think about my offer, Selene,” he said as he cautiously walked past me.
I contemplated stopping him from leaving, but realistically, it was not in my best interest. I worried about his guessing that Percy was my soul match, but there was nothing he could reasonably do with such information.
Percy was locked in my room, my entire guard ensuring her safety, and I would never allow her to be taken from me again.
He could be an ally as much as I hated to admit it.
Heidi watched him like a gross bug she didn’t want to get too close to as he passed, then turned to watch him curiously as he left.
“You could hear his thoughts?” I asked.
“Loud and clear, there are no enchantments protecting him,” she said and turned to me her eyes wide with worry.
“What is it?” I asked, immediately regretting letting him leave.
“He was thinking that he wanted to be far gone before the opening ceremony and The New Foundation strike,” she said.
“I received a letter from Adamantia a few days ago, informing me of a potential attack at the closing ceremony,” I informed her.
“It was definitely the opening ceremony he was thinking about; he’s leaving Borealis tonight,” Heidi replied.
I nodded, “And so will you be, with Percy,” I told her.
She looked upset. “I can’t, Selene. What about my grandmother and our council members? We’re all here for the Royal Conference; I can’t just leave them,” she told me.
“I understand. Then tomorrow, you will ensure that Coactus is delayed from joining the ceremony. Preferably, that your House fails to attend,” I instructed.
“I can do that… I think,” she agreed. “But what are you going to do? Tell the King?” she asked.
“No. My father has betrayed me. I don’t know where he stands. I need to speak with Percy, and then I will decide what to do with this information,” I explained.
“She’s not well,” Heidi said. “I mean, mentally that is; physically, she seems fine — calm down, scary protective vampire. After you barged past me this morning, which was rude,” she chastised me, “I found Percy having a panic attack. When I questioned her about how she was rescued, she thought of people, someone died, Ana was with her, and so was Valen. That’s why I came looking for you,” she explained.
I nodded in understanding.
“I apologise for my mood this morning, Percy has been withdrawn, and not herself. I now believe my father is responsible in some way. I was upset, but that is no excuse,” I apologised.