Chapter 19 #2
At my side, Kole stood stoically, and I braced myself for whatever argument was to come.
But I would fight for him because Kole wasn’t just my warrior.
He’d become my friend, my lover, my safety.
In all that had happened, he’d been my one true constant, and I needed him with me, and not just because of the attraction we felt toward one another.
His very presence provided me with a magnitude of comfort at a time in my life when I needed it most.
My father huffed, not commenting further, but his unwillingness to absolve Kole of any wrongdoings had that strange sensation tightening in my chest again. My magic stirred too, as though ready to come to my aid, but I stuffed my weird responses down.
Finally, my father’s nostrils flared, and he swung his attention to Nathaniel, then Kole, and I had a feeling his judgment was about to be dealt, and from his expression, it wasn’t going to be a favorable one.
Before my father could speak, I added in a rush, “But the true cause for concern here is that somebody sent those creatures to breach your wards. That’s where you should be directing your anger. We should be focusing on who sent them and finding a way to identify them. Not blaming Kole.”
I pleaded with my eyes, hoping that my father understood that our nemesis was probably hoping to tear us apart from within in order to have a better chance at getting me when our defenses were in shambles.
My father took a deep breath and rubbed his cheek, and thankfully, some of his anger seemed to cool, and logic returned to his aura.
“Fine, I won’t remove Kole. He’ll get one more chance, but I must insist that you no longer leave palace grounds, Primelle.
Once the spellcasters have determined how those creatures entered the maze and patch whatever spell was lacking, it should be safe again.
And you’re right. Until we catch who sent those things, you’re not safe in Whiteolf.
You’re to stay here. That’s my final decision. ”
My lips parted, and what he’d just ruled sank deep.
I was to be a prisoner, within the palace, even though I’d done nothing wrong.
But I didn’t argue. He hadn’t banished Kole, and I could live with being in the palace until we caught who was behind this.
I would happily do that if it meant keeping Kole with me.
My father gave Kole a hard look. “Understood?”
The warrior dipped his head, and even though his expression remained neutral, beneath his Shield, I could sense his relief. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
A sigh of contentment came from Lillith just as Surrep said in a pleasant tone, “There, my dear. You’re as right as the morning sun now.”
Lillith sat up and assessed her arm.
Relief hit me that Surrep had thoroughly healed the wound. Only a very faint scar ran up the length of my sister’s limb. Even the blood had been whisked away. The only remaining evidence of my sister’s injury was the blood stains on her gown and mine.
“The scar will fade in the coming weeks. It’s nothing to be concerned about,” Surrep added.
My attention swung to Koraline. Near the wall, my oldest sister fingered her own scars through her sleeve, the rippling flesh that Surrep had never been able to fully heal was probably palpable even through the fabric.
Koraline’s eyes and mine locked, but my sister broke eye contact almost immediately and rushed to Lillith. She crouched at her side and put an arm around her. “I’m so glad you’re okay,” she said softly.
Lillith hugged her in return and smiled reassuringly. “It wasn’t too grave of an injury. I’m fine.”
Koraline embraced her even more, and Lillith gripped her just as hard.
My chest tightened. Their sisterly love and devotion to one another were so obvious, and it was just as obvious that I wasn’t included in that bond.
As if realizing the same thing, my mother took my hand. “We should all be thanking Primelle for her quick thinking in the maze. Lordling Herald told us that she took charge of Lillith’s care. Isn’t that wonderful, Koraline?”
I could only assume that Lordling Herald was the male who’d been accompanying Lillith that I’d met briefly, but before I could comment, Koraline sneered.
“If it wasn’t for Primelle, Mother, Lillith would have never been put in that situation.”
My head whipped back as though I’d been slapped, and our father grumbled. “It’s not her fault, Koraline.”
Koraline arched a perfectly sculpted eyebrow.
“No? But like Primelle had just been saying, your focus should be on those creatures, not Kole or Nathaniel. And if it wasn’t for Primelle, Father, those creatures would have never attempted to break in, and if not for those creatures, Lillith would have never run away in such a frightful state and pierced her arm.
I saw the entire thing before the hedges moved and split us up.
I saw what Primelle’s presence here did to her. ”
My lips trembled, but I didn’t try to defend myself, and I didn’t comment on how my sister had twisted my words. After all, she wasn’t entirely wrong, even if her accusations were misguided. Those creatures had been after me, and others had suffered the consequences because of it.
My father’s nostrils flared again, and he placed his hands on his hips.
“I think we’ve had enough excitement for the evening.
” He turned to the Imperial Warriors, assessing the other two, then narrowed his eyes at Kole.
“As you heard, Primelle is to always stay in the palace now. And all three of you need to keep her safe for the night. That needs to be guaranteed. Is that understood?”
All three bowed and replied simultaneously, “Yes, Your Majesty.”
Despite feeling intense relief that Kole wouldn’t be taken from me, my heart tightened at the thought of being locked within the palace for who knew how long.
That meant no more visits to Gwen and Timith, never seeing Ree in the flesh again unless she was allowed to stop by, no returning to my beloved library to see Loolee, and no returning the book that belonged on the Isle of Song. None of that would occur.
Essentially, my life stopped tonight. I was now a prisoner because of some twisted fairy who was after me. But I understood my father’s caution, and I could only hope it would be short-lived.
My father joined my mother, then gestured to the fae in the hallway. “We’d planned to introduce you to your aunt, uncles, and cousins this evening, but given all that’s happened, I think that can wait until tomorrow.”
I eyed the fae in the doorway, wondering if they were the family members I hadn’t met yet, but most of them had stepped back, and there were so many fae I had no idea who were family and who were gawking spectators. I supposed I wouldn’t know until the next day.
“Come, girls. Let’s all be on our way. It’s been a long evening, and we should all retire for the night.” My mother swished her hands at my sisters to rise, and then she helped Surrep to her feet.
They all retreated, and at the door, my father turned to the Imperial Warriors. “The three of you are to stay awake tonight. No one is to rest until the wards have been fixed. You’re all to protect the princess with your life if needed.”
All three again bowed simultaneously. “As you wish, Your Majesty.”