Chapter 22 #4
“You lied last night!” she exclaimed. “Last night, you claimed that you didn’t remember how to use the extent of your magic, so that cuff you’re wearing doesn’t really bother you.
” She waved to the glowing blue shackle upon my wrist. “But lo and behold, I’ve since learned from my grandson that you certainly do know how to use your magic, and that cuff, in fact, does nothing to suppress your abilities.
Just like when you were a child. So not only did you lie about not knowing how to use your magic, but you also lied by way of claiming that the cuff suppresses your abilities.
And it’s not just my grandson who saw you use magic.
Others did too in the maze, so don’t even try to deny it. ”
Her chin lifted, and the nobles behind her began murmuring to one another again, then sent accusing glares toward my parents and me.
My initial suspicions had been right. They’d definitely been talking about me, and as word had spread about the attack on the palace, so had the true nature of my magic.
“Is that true, Your Highness?” Lordling Fillingmore asked, his voice rising above the whispers.
“I’d heard a few rumors this morning in the capital, but I wasn’t sure if they could be trusted.
After all, you said that Timith Hollaran invented a cuff within the last season that did suppress your magic. ”
My cheeks heated. I’d made so many flippant comments and hadn’t thought anything of it, but it seemed that doing so hadn’t been wise.
But I ignored the lordling and the other House nobles glaring at me and addressed Nathaniel’s grandmother again.
“I’m sorry, Lady Ryderdim. I don’t know, I mean .
. .” I stumbled over my words, but she was right.
I’d lied to her last night, simply hoping to put her at ease with my frivolous statement.
I hadn’t meant any harm by it, and placing the cuff upon me hadn’t been my idea. I’d been forced to wear it.
I sighed and realized honesty was likely the best way to appease everyone. If they could be appeased.
In a firmer tone, I said, “You’re right.
I did say that I couldn’t recall how to use that portion of my magic, but I didn’t mean it as a way to deceive you.
I simply didn’t want you to be afraid of me.
And this?” I held up the cuff. “You’re right about that too.
It’s also a deception. It does nothing to curb my power. ”
Her nostrils flared, and she shot an accusing glower at my parents. The king and queen had also dismounted, and both were making their way toward us, their brows furrowed and their energy growing.
“What’s all this about?” my father demanded when they reached us.
“Ask your daughter,” the House leader snapped, but then she cocked her head.
“Or perhaps, I should ask you? Did you put that cuff upon her, or was that Primelle’s idea?
” Without waiting for an answer, she continued.
“And just so you know, your daughter claimed that she didn’t remember how to use her terrible magic, but the events of last night have proven otherwise.
So tell me, Your Majesties, what else is going on regarding your daughter that hasn’t been conveyed?
Why is she wearing a cuff that doesn’t work on her?
And do you have other secrets up your sleeves that could pose a threat to the Houses and fae of our kingdom? ”
My mother huffed. “Now, wait one minute, Lady Ryderdim. My daughter—”
“I shall do no such thing, Your Majesty,” the elderly House leader retorted.
“Someone must speak up, and it appears I’m the only one with enough courage to do so, because the truth is your daughter holds magic that could cause great destruction in our kingdom.
If she chooses to use it for nefarious purposes or is coerced to do so”—her glare at my parents let them know that she wasn’t above accusing them of unjust actions either—“then it’s something the king’s council needs to be aware of and discuss. ”
Nathaniel jogged toward us, a worried expression on his face. “Princess Primelle, my king and queen.” He bowed when he reached us. “Is something amiss over here?” He eyed his grandmother warily.
I greeted him too, but Lady Ryderdim nodded toward the stables. “Grab your mount, Nathaniel. We’ll be on our way.”
His smile dimmed. “But I wasn’t planning to ride today, Grandmother. I simply came to join in the social gathering.”
“Very well. In that case, socialize away, but I forbid you from befriending Princess Primelle any further.” She snapped the reins on her domal, getting a whinny from him.
“And this is something I plan to bring up at the next council meeting, Your Majesties, with or without your permission. If you’re to insist that your daughter return to court, with a cuff that does nothing to suppress her frightening magic, all while lying to us about the state of her powers, then there’s much discussion to be had.
Much indeed.” With that, she kicked her domal into a canter, and dust from the ground flew up in her wake.