Chapter 28 #2
My father explained how the Imperial Council’s spellcasters had done tests with the potion recovered from Verin’s chambers, along with the drink they’d found in the alleyway that had flown off my carpet.
“Two test subjects have been given the potions, each ingesting a different one. The first subject has been slowly turning into a creature similar to the ones that breached the palace, but the other, is turning into whatever Timith Hollaran was becoming.”
I brought a hand to my throat. Nausea roiled within me.
It was now common knowledge amongst the king’s council what had happened to my uncle.
Timith had returned to work the week prior, and everyone was amazed at what he’d endured and how the Stone had saved him, but his trials also highlighted how horrific those potions were.
Mouth dry, I somehow managed to rasp, “Test subjects? You mean, two fae were forced to consume potions to turn them into monsters?” Horror made me gape
My father’s eyes gentled. “I know it sounds awful, but both are convicted criminals and were sentenced to full gargoyle leeching. They volunteered for the test, since they were going to die anyway due to their heinous crimes. Instead of a full gargoyle leeching, they volunteered to drink the potions. Doing so means the crown will supply their families with five hundred seasons of generous annual incomes.”
I leaned back in my seat. “So they did it to help their families?”
“Indeed. Both may have monstrous impulses that they never learned to curb, but each has a family member they would like cared for.”
“Are either fully turned yet?” I asked hesitantly.
My father shook his head. “Both were executed this morning when the final stages of the changes were upon them.”
My nausea grew, and I couldn’t help but glance over my shoulder at Kole, yet even though Kole’s face was its usual blank mask, his aura was brimming with energy, making me think this was new information to him too.
In other words, only the most senior members of the Imperial Council and the crown had known.
“That’s simply atrocious.” Lady Ryderdim turned her sharp gaze on me. “And all of this is somehow related to Princess Primelle?”
My father inclined his head. “Unfortunately, yes.”
“But why?” Koraline asked. Her lips downturned. “Why do they want Primelle to be a monster?”
I started at her question. One, because it was the first time she’d ever uttered my name that wasn’t said in disdain, but also because a hint of genuine concern filled her words.
“That we still don’t know,” my father replied quietly.
“And tell me, Your Majesty,” Lady Ryderdim cut in, “has any connection been made between the creatures and the princess?”
My father’s head snapped in her direction, and even Koraline’s eyebrows rose.
My jaw dropped. “You think that I have something to do with turning those fae into those monsters?” At the wall, Kole’s sword scraped against the stone, and I could have sworn he’d just locked down a soft growl.
Lady Ryderdim lifted her shoulders. “I’m just saying all angles should be looked at.”
I sat back in my seat, my stomach tumbling, but I supposed I shouldn’t be surprised by the elderly House leader’s comment. As much as I hated to admit it, it was a valid concern, even if such suspicions made me feel sick.
When the discussions about the creatures at last concluded, all eyes turned back to my father.
“And what’s the next item on the agenda, my king?” Lordling Ary angled back in his seat, his brown hair shining in the fairy lights.
My father leaned forward, and an air of authority clouded around him.
“The last thing I’d like to discuss today is the reason I’ve asked my youngest daughter to attend this meeting.
We’d like to provide all of you with reassurance that you have nothing to fear from her.
” My father gestured to the chambers’ corner door.
It opened, and two dozen fae marched through it.
My heart began to beat faster since I knew why they were here. It’d been my idea after all.
All of them were fae who had known me throughout my lifetime.
Gwenery and Timith came through first, then Ree and her husband Bennif, followed by Loolee and my previous instructors at my university, then neighbors who had known me since I was eight summers old, as well as the friends I’d made throughout my lifetime.
But the very last fae to walk through the door were Betsee and Nathaniel.
My heart warmed at seeing the lady’s attendant, and she dipped her head slightly in my direction as her cheeks pinked. But Nathaniel’s appearance caught me completely by surprise, and given Lady Ryderdim’s gasp, it’d done the same to her.
Regardless of their support, my entire body was tense as each and every one of them lined up to give their testimonies.
“These are fae who have known Primelle throughout her life as well as a few who’ve met her recently.
” My father waved Gwen and Timith forward.
“They’re all here to share their assessment of her character.
I’m hopeful that after you hear their stories, you will no longer believe my daughter is someone to fear. ”
Gwen smiled in my direction, and her lilac-colored hair shone in the fairy lights. She began to tell the council what it’d been like raising me in the Clawfur Mountains. Timith joined in too, recounting stories of how I’d learned to curb my impulses and respect the dangers of my magic as I grew.
They shared anecdotes of my childhood, grades I’d received in primary school that included assessments of my behavior, the caring nature they’d seen in me time and time again, how I embodied true empathy and compassion, and so forth.
It went on long enough that my cheeks began to pink in embarrassment, and my father had to eventually stop them.
I had a feeling they would have spoken until sunset if allowed.
But that just made me love them even more.
They were fiercely supportive of me, and despite my embarrassment, my eyes were misting, and my heart nearly burst with love for them.
Across the table, Koraline eyed me. Her look was entirely veiled, but at least her sneer was gone.
Once Gwen and Timith retreated, my friends, instructors, and neighbors came forth.
All of them shared similar stories, but not quite as long or heartfelt as Gwen and Timith.
Even Abel gave a begrudging positive report of me, surprising me, but I appreciated that he didn’t try to tarnish my reputation simply because I’d refused his advances.
When everyone had finished their testimonies, including Betsee, who’d told the council that I’d been nothing but kind and welcoming to her, as well as Nathaniel who stated he’d seen how studiously I’d worked in the library before learning of my true lineage, they were ushered out by the guards, and I sat numbly with my hands clasped in my lap.
For a moment, all of the House leaders were quiet as they looked at me contemplatively.
At last, Lordling Deerwood leaned forward and broke the quiet. “If Princess Primelle was truly never a threat, then why did you have her cuffed when she first arrived back in the palace?”
I gave my father a worried look, and he inhaled sharply. “The queen and I had hoped to put those around our daughter at ease. We didn’t know what kind of reaction she would receive, but we didn’t want anyone’s fear causing rash and unjust assessments of her.”
I lifted my wrist, now bare of the cuff. “But as you can see, I’m not cuffed now, and I haven’t hurt anyone in all the time I’ve been here.”
“But can you prove that?” Lady Ryderdim demanded. “What proof do we have that you’re not affecting us at this very moment? You could be. Your magic is that powerful, if I remember right.”
“If I was, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation,” I replied simply and shrugged. “If I’d altered your thoughts, you would be accepting of me now, but you’re not, so how is that not proof?”
The elderly House leader’s eyes narrowed, but several of the others seemed to consider that.
The discussions resumed. Each House leader asked specific questions and asked for examples of what the crown would do should anything dangerous occur due to my magic.
Throughout it all, Koraline remained silent, like I was for the most part, as those around me judged what would happen if I ever turned into a nightmare.
All agreed that if I ever returned to my childish antics from my youngest days or if it became learned that I was using my magic to control others, I would have to be banished from the kingdom once more.
It was either that or I would be forced to ingest magic-suppressing potions that I could now safely take as an adult.
And while those consequences horrified me, I was at least relieved that the leaders were willing to give me a chance, a true chance at joining the kingdom, yet I also knew I could never stumble. Even if I accidentally used my magic, not intending to harm anyone, I wouldn’t be given a second chance.
I was mentally exhausted by the time the meeting finished, but at least the House leaders were no longer looking at me as though I were a monster.
But I had a feeling it would be a long while before Lady Ryderdim didn’t look at me with disdain. I snorted inwardly. Centuries, most likely, if Nathaniel was to be believed. But he’d no doubt been right. The elderly lady definitely struck me as someone who held a grudge.
When the meeting concluded, I wanted to approach Koraline, hoping beyond hope that perhaps she’d finally come to realize that I truly was sorry for the pain I’d inflicted on her as a wee child, but other than murmuring a goodbye to our father, she didn’t look at me again.
But it was the night of her ball, and I knew she probably had many things to do to get ready.
Still, it hurt.
Stiffly, I stood and followed Kole back to my chambers. I didn’t know how things would be for me with my kingdom and family in the coming months and seasons, but I supposed that only time would tell.
However, I didn’t have time to think about that further. Koraline’s ball was tonight, and I could only hope that it didn’t end as disastrously as mine had.