Chapter 61 Harkin
Chapter sixty-one
Harkin
The transition from the shadowy depths of a mercenary’s world to the glimmering spotlight, on the arm of a queen, was jarring to say the least. I knew it was vital that I embrace the change for her sake. Seren needed a partner who would step up for her, and I knew I could be that person.
Seren was my beacon in the night, calling me home. Life by her side would be worth the unsurety, the changes, and the rehabilitation my reputation desperately needed. But I was unused to the council speaking to me, and it was a strange feeling sitting under their scrutiny now.
The council members sat around the long table. I thought it odd that Théo had been dismissed alongside Seren and the others.
“We have much to speak about, Aranti,” Ignatius Imre said from the head of the table. There were no leaders among the Royal Council of Acsilla, but Ignatius was the longest serving member and often spoke for the group.
“We have been discussing the issues at hand,” Hesperia Farkas began.
Voices overlapped as different council members added to the conversation.
“There are… concerns about Seren’s ability to rule Acsilla,” Araceli Basa continued, running a sharp, threatening fingernail across the table.
I froze, spine straightening. I maintained a smooth mask of indifference as I waited for them to continue.
“In the case of King Tarquin’s death, the line of succession falls, technically, to Seren Corso as his true heir.
This is a delicate situation, as I am sure you are aware, given the public has no knowledge of Seren.
She was raised in Ordelés, by our enemies.
There are doubts that the public will support her rule.
” Mira Pálinkás drove the point home with a casual shrug, as if it didn’t even matter what the citizens of Acsilla wanted.
It was merely a talking point meant to keep Seren from her birthright.
I remained silent, still.
They exchanged looks across the table. “The citizens of Acsilla have been prepared for Ayla to one day reign, but I think we are all aware that Prince Claudian would have had a heavy hand in guiding her decisions. She has never shown herself to be quite capable of the decisiveness needed to be queen. Perhaps her abdication was the right decision.”
“What are you saying?” I finally asked, hands pressed into fists over my thighs. “It sounds as if you do not support Seren or Ayla on the throne.”
“We have an alternate proposal. One we would require your assistance to implement.” Araceli smiled, that too wide, too sharp grin of hers.
I felt the slow simmer of rage rising in my gut. Only one other person was eligible for the throne by blood.
“We have not yet informed the people of Prince Claudian’s imprisonment. There is still time to support his bid to the throne. It is not too late to complete the job Claudian assigned to you.” Mira Pálinkás explained their treasonous plan as smoothly as the water she wielded.
“I will never turn her over to Claudian, and she will never walk away from Acsilla. Seren may have been raised in Ordelés, but she is dedicated to fighting for the Acsillan people. She will not subject them to a corrupt leader, and neither will I.” I fought to keep my voice steady.
Ignatius shrugged, a smug expression on his face as if he believed I would fold at any moment. “Do so, and you will be rewarded.”
“Let me make sure I understand you.” Heads nodded around the table, encouraging me to proceed. “You wish to dispose of Acsilla’s true heir, overlook the people’s choice, and place a murderer on the throne?”
“Heirs are replaceable.” Araceli said the words with such casual indifference.
A shiver ran down my spine, followed by a rush of cold fear for Seren’s safety. I had vowed to protect her, but I did not expect to have to guard her from the council too.
“Prince Claudian did not even kill his brother. That was merely the story concocted by Seren herself to justify his imprisonment,” Mira added.
I scoffed. “He may not have dealt the killing blow, but Claudian planned Tarquin’s murder.
He intended to go through with it, and he would have, had Seren not insisted we stop him.
Not to mention, the dozens of people Claudian ordered disposed of throughout the years.
No matter what happened that night, Claudian is a murderer, and he did commit treason. ”
“Ah, yes. Those other murders he ordered. You carried them out, did you not?” Ignatius gave me a hard, flat look.
I blanched, swallowing heavily. “Some of them, yes. I did not have much choice in the matter.”
“Surely, you see that you have little choice once more. Side with us, and you will be protected. If you decline, well… we always have a backup plan.”
I could suppress my anger no longer. I rose from my seat, palms coming down on the table with a sharp sound.
Hesperia Farkas, the earth wielder and the council member closest to me, flinched. It did not escape my notice that she had remained markedly silent through these proceedings.
“Your threats do not scare me. While you have sat in this room pondering the level of treason with which you are willing to accept, I have made a choice to fight for what is right. I will not let a corrupt government control me any longer. Neither will Seren or Ayla. Or Théo. Do not think I haven’t noticed his absence. ”
“Théo is too young, too idealistic, and far too close to the princess to discuss this rationally. I see you are more similar to him than we hoped.” Their disappointment was a heavy presence in the room, but I could not bring myself to care.
“My wedding to Seren will proceed as planned. Lady Lydia Adiran will come, and we will defeat her. Claudian will remain imprisoned.” I walked to the door with heavy steps, pausing as I turned back.
“Your plan is an affront to this kingdom and a betrayal of its people. I may have renounced my old, murderous ways, but stand in her way and find your life forfeit to my blade.”
I expected gasps of shock, or a sound of surprise at the least, but I was met only with laughter. Mira Pálinkás clapped her hands in slow, exaggerated applause.
“Foolish child. I am no longer asking.” Ignatius rose from his seat in a menacing fashion. To Araceli, “Retrieve the prisoners.”
The councilwoman exited the room, her heeled shoes clicking ominously against the marble floor. She returned with two figures, bound and with covered heads.
Penetrating terror overtook me at the sight, chilling me to the bone. I prayed to the Goddesses that this was not happening, that their faces would be exposed, and I would not see my mother and sister.
“No…” I pleaded. I bit down on the inside of my cheek until I tasted blood, the only thing that stopped me from crying out as the figures were forced to their knees.
“Yes.” Araceli tore the hoods from their heads, and I was devastated to see my nightmares become reality.
Yvett and Adina Aranti cowered against the floor, leaning into each other for support. Their gazes found mine, and the relief on their faces was heartbreaking.
“Do you understand me now, boy?” Ignatius clasped my shoulder, painfully tight. “You will follow our orders, or we will slit their throats in front of you. The decision is yours. The girl or your family.”