Chapter 30 #2
Asmo gives her a terse nod and says, “Nice to meet you.”
“And you,” is all she says in return. It lacks any sort of warmth.
“Willa,” I say. “Prince Asmo just saved my life.” I don’t know that to be true, but he did save me from something that could have ruined my life, at the very least.
“And how does that prevent him from shaking my hand?” she looks at me, one eyebrow raised.
Willa has always found manners very important, which I always fought against. Given her upbringing and my new title, I wish I had listened a little more on how to be a proper young lady.
I clench my jaw, locking it shut so it doesn’t drop at her lack of respect for Asmo.
“Willa…” I say cautiously. “He’s a High Prince.”
Her eyes narrow. “And I’m—”
I hold my hand up to stop her. “I’m too tired to do this right now.”
Asmo steps forward and reaches for me. “Let’s go.” I’ve never been so happy to be ordered around by him before. I let him lead me inside, every step forward feeling too heavy.
We all portaled back to the castle. Willa refused to come, saying she felt more comfortable in her own home and could protect herself. Ivan acquiesced only after Willa agreed to two members of the Royal Guard being present at all times, patrolling the grounds.
Ivan also called for an increase in the number of guards inside and outside my wing.
Brynn dressed my wounds and gave me a salve for the pain, which I applied immediately, shuddering at the memory of the osseris’s claws on my skin, on my antlers.
I spent the rest of the night locked inside my wing, feeling like a prisoner of fear.
The next morning, I attend the emergency meeting that Ivan called. When I make my way downstairs, William is waiting for me at the bottom with a coffee in hand. He offers it to me with a tentative smile.
“Thank you so much, William,” I say, a genuine smile spreading across my face. I know it’s only been a few weeks, but it feels like I’ve been here forever, and I appreciate the normalcy of William and a coffee.
“Did you ever propose to your girlfriend?” I ask as he escorts me to the library.
His grin lights his face up, and he says, “Yes, I did.”
“And?” I urge him on.
“She said yes,” he says, turning sheepish.
I lightly smack him on the arm. “Congratulations! I’d love to meet her one day.”
“Really?” he asks, looking at me.
“Of course! Whenever you both are free, she’s welcome any time.”
We reach the library, and he thanks me before returning to the front entry.
Ivan and Luca are already seated at the circular table when I walk in. They both give me terse nods before standing.
“Please sit back down,” I say before they can bow. They do.
“We’re just waiting on Elle and Holly,” Ivan says. There’s no warmth in his voice today, and it makes me nervous for the conversation we’re about to have.
“How are you both today?” I ask, looking at each of them, trying to re-set the tone of the meeting.
“We’re concerned, Your Highness,” Luca says, his tone hesitant.
Ivan puts a hand up, silencing him. “We have a lot to discuss today, Mae,” he says, more warmth in his voice than before. “How are you doing? After yesterday’s attack?”
“I’m fine. Thank you for coming,” I say, but I’m not. The incident left me shaken. I barely slept last night, terrified that I’d close my eyes and see the osseris staring back at me.
Elle and Holly walk into the room then, both of them smiling warmly at me before they take their seats, one on each side of me.
“Good morning, everyone,” Holly says brightly. I notice Luca’s affect slightly change with the greeting, his face softening a little.
Ivan clears his throat, and the meeting officially begins.
“As I was just telling Mae, we have a lot to discuss today. Of most importance is going to be the increasing number of cambions, our response to them, and how to keep you safe,” he says, glancing at me.
“We also need to discuss the selection of the High King.”
I nod, expecting this because of my uncomfortable conversation with Elle the other day.
He continues, “Mae, yesterday caught us by surprise. We had been monitoring the cambions in Willa’s neighborhood.
I only agreed to you having dinner there because we hadn’t seen any around there for several days.
It’s my opinion that the witch who summoned them has inside knowledge of your movements,” he says gravely, his gaze lingering on each of us.
“You think someone’s feeding the witch information? Who knew I was going to Willa’s yesterday?” I ask, looking around the table.
“All of us,” Ivan says, motioning in a circle to everyone seated at the table. “Willa and the guard also knew. As far as I’m aware, that’s it.”
“The guard,” I mutter. “Could it have been him?”
He hesitates but says, “He’s been questioned extensively, and I don’t think so.”
Beside him, Luca clears his throat and says, “I find it interesting that Marik has been present for both attacks.”
I refrain from rolling my eyes at the accusation. “Marik didn’t even know we were going there,” I say, my voice firm.
“It’s my job to consider every angle,” he says tersely.
Elle drums her fingers on the table, something I’ve noticed she does when she’s deep in thought. “Is it possible that anybody else knew about the dinner?” she asks.
“I sent Willa the invite by mail. Could someone have intercepted the letter or something?” I ask.
Luca tilts his in consideration. “That’s a possibility,” he says.
“Refrain from sending any mail over the next couple of days,” Ivan tells me. “Any mail that contains sensitive information needs to be hand-delivered from now on. Understood?” he asks, looking around the table at each of us.
I nod in agreement. “Did Asmo fill you in on the osseris?” I ask, glancing at Ivan and Luca.
Holly freezes beside me while Elle slowly turns to me. “There was an osseris there?”
Ivan says, “Yes. Asmo told Luca and me about the osseris. They’re vicious creatures. Whatever witch is controlling the cambions is also likely controlling the osseris, to an extent.”
“What do you mean, ‘to an extent?’” I ask.
“They’re created by witches using dark magic. They take a piece of a soul—human, Fae, or hybrid—and use the fractured soul to create the osseris, which then allows it to have a mind of its own but still be controlled by the witch.”
“That thing was part human? Or hybrid?” I ask, my blood running cold.
Ivan nods and says, “Likely made by someone who wishes you harm. We have no idea who would want that, but I’m betting my entire salary that whoever is responsible for your father’s death was also responsible for the attack on you all last night.”
“Why are they doing this?” I ask, my voice full of dread.
Elle reaches for my hand and gives it a squeeze. It doesn’t comfort me.
“We don’t know,” Ivan says, his voice soft.
“My theory is that they’re trying to take down the throne,” Luca says beside Ivan, his voice grim. “Whoever it is probably didn’t realize that you would take the throne, Mae. Now, they’re trying to kill you so they can finally come to power, whoever they are.”
“What do we do?” I ask, feeling helpless. “We still don’t know who’s responsible.”
Ivan sighs deeply and says, “You need to marry. Fast.”
I sigh in frustration. “I’m sorry, I just don’t understand how my marrying helps deter people from trying to kill me.”
Beside me, Elle says, “The kingdom is feeling a little restless without a High King on the throne. It’s been centuries since we’ve only had a High Queen.
By marrying, you ease the concerns of the kingdom and present a unified front to any outside threats.
In marrying, you also tie our court to another court, which guarantees allies and presents an even stronger front to any threat. ”
I repress a groan and keep my posture straight, trying to pretend like that doesn’t piss me off.
“I’m not ready,” I say firmly.
“Mae—” Luca begins, but Elle cuts him off.
“All due respect, Mae, you need to decide. I know you’re not ready.
I know you were promised more time. I know you’ve barely had enough time to get to know the princes, but all the High Kings and High Queens before you were set up in arranged marriages and didn’t get a choice. At least you get a choice.”
I grit my teeth. “Fine. When do you need my decision by?”
“Today,” Ivan says softly.
“No,” I say, shaking my head. “Give me one more night with them. Call them all to the library tonight for a group date. I’ll give you an answer first thing in the morning.”
I don’t wait for their answer. I stand and exit the room, leaving them behind to go prepare for my final date with the princes.
Tonight is the night I decide my future and the future of my kingdom.