Chapter 19
T he next morning, Juniper and I met at her office.
She gathered a book and a few other items for my meeting with Father and we walked over.
Despite the time we spent together last night in a social setting, we were tense this morning.
I supposed that any time you walked in to meet with the King to tell him that there was potentially a disruptive plot occurring within your castle walls using fairytale ideas to undermine us, tension would exist.
We reached his office, and I knock. He called out to allow us permission to enter.
Juniper followed behind me, and Father’s eyebrows rose in shock at her sight.
I started before he could express his surprise.
“Hi Father, I know we had plans for this meeting, but I’m afraid we have to shift focus.
Lady Mallard and I have something more pressing to discuss. ”
Father’s face showed concern as he invited us in to sit at his conference table.
He shuffled in a corner alcove before turning and offered his Vondalon rum to us, which I smiled and accepted.
He only pulled this rum out for special guests, and I appreciated the sentiment he shared by doing so. Once we have our glasses, he sat.
“Please, let’s get started. What’s going on?”
I opened by sharing what had been happening with the princes.
Father’s eyes widened as anger spread across his face when I described the evening with Egan’s lightning strike.
He stood up, slamming his glass so hard on the table that I was shocked it didn’t shatter.
I placed a hand on his arm and asked him to hold off until Juniper explained what we thought was happening.
She then covered magic and the history, reaching the point where she explained that Egan’s power was not what the Oracles of the Gelid were familiar with. She explained her concerns, and that the Oracles were set to arrive the next day to help with the situation.
We both paused after the explanation and gave him time to take it all in.
He looked a bit stunned, staring off into space as he processed the information.
After a few minutes, he rubbed his eyes with one hand, then turned to look at me.
“Lyla, sweetheart, I am so sorry that all this has been happening. Are you ok? Do you feel comfortable with Egan remaining here? We can make him leave today, if that’s what you wish. ”
I smiled, grateful for the offer. “Father, no, please. I don’t want to ask him to leave currently. That doesn’t seem wise to me. I think he’s just a pawn in whatever is happening. I would like to take the time to figure out who he’s working with, if we can. But Father?”
I pause, waiting for him to look at me, knowing I needed to say this but wishing I could leave it unsaid.
“I think he’s connected to Mother’s death.”
Father stared at me for a moment. I realized he hadn’t realized the incident with Frederick resulted in the same mark Mother had. I could tell that his thoughts were racing, trying to understand what all this means.
At long last, he stood, looking out the windows but not yet moving.
He used all his authority in his voice as he decreed.
“You will not be the one figuring this out. If he has killed, and if he’s that volatile, I don’t want you leading this charge.
I will set people to trace his movements and screen his incoming and outgoing letters. ”
I nodded. “Thank you. I need to be involved though, as the next Queen. I’m also worried about Lord Denenbaum. He’s the one who invited Egan here, and I don’t know how he fits into all this.”
“We will also monitor him. I will say I have seen nothing suspicious from him, but I have lost my faith in him as of this moment.”
I breathed in a sigh of relief.
Father sat back down in his chair and reached for my hand. “Lyla, you are most important to me. You can always bring your concerns to me, and we will face them together. No matter who sits on that throne, I’m here for you first.”
His eyes glistened as he offered a small smile.
“I don’t want to lose you. Or Ethan. Losing your mom was more than enough for me.”
“I know, Father. That never worried me. I am relieved, but I never doubted you.”
“Let’s talk about this tournament. Should we continue to host it, considering we don’t know what Egan can do, or if others he may work with are here or can also do that?” Father looked to Juniper at his question.
“Your Majesty, I don’t know the right answer for that.
Cancelling now could cause more turmoil.
However, there is a risk of death that wasn’t previously accounted for, including whether Egan is working with others.
I think that the Priestesses that will arrive soon will have better guidance to provide. ”
Father raised his eyebrow. “Are you not a Priestess too, Lady Mallard?”
Juniper blushed. “Yes, I am. The identities of the Priestesses remain closely guarded information.”
“I have my ways of finding information no one wants to be known. I have known long before you arrived.”
I looked between the two, shocked.
Juniper glanced at me, as if she had forgotten I was here for a moment. “Princess Lyla, please don’t?—”
“I would never. Your secret is secure.”
I offered her a reassuring smile, which she returned. “We have five days until the first trial. I think waiting for the Priestesses to get here and then consulting with them will be the best option at this point?”
Father and Juniper nodded. “I have one question. If we cancel the tournament, which suitor would my daughter pick?”
I glanced away, towards the windows that overlook Mother’s garden.
Before I could talk myself out of it, I lead with my vulnerability.
“If I had to make a choice at this moment, I would try to ask the Council to allow me to marry my girlfriend.” I avoided looking at Father.
I can’t risk seeing whether he is disappointed.
“Oh, Lyla.” His voice conveyed only compassion.
I turned to look at him and saw tears in his eyes reflecting the tenderness his words held.
“I would love to make that happen for you. For you, I would move the stars to make that happen, but the Council would remove both of us from the throne if we tried.”
The tears in my eyes threatened to spill. I knew that answer. I looked to Juniper, who nodded sadly. Taking a deep breath, I continued my answer.
“Then I would choose Spencer. His magic let him see that my soul rests with hers. He said he would not stop our love. It’s the closest I can get to her.”
Father hugged me. “He’s a good man. I hope he brings you all the happiness you deserve.”