Chapter 19 Alfrie #2
“Your Majesty, if I may be so bold. If this is truly an attack orchestrated by the Unseelie Court, I suggest that you ready all of your trained soldiers. They might be closer to the palace than we suspect.” I keep my eyes locked on King Jeffery’s and try to ignore the searing gaze from King Hardin to my left. I really need to keep my mouth shut.
The King of Masseda studies me with eyes the same color as his daughter’s.
“I think you might be right, but as my army has seen no action since the war, I fear we’re on the losing end of any battle.
Many aren’t even within a hundred miles of Court.
It didn’t seem necessary after the villages were annihilated, the Unseelie Court dissolved—or so I thought. ”
My stomach twists in knots at his choice of wording about the attack on my home.
The army Commander steps forward, his shoulder slamming into mine as if I’m not standing here. He casts a sidelong glance at me, making my skin bristle. “Your Majesty, might I suggest another surprise attack on the cour—"
King Jeffery holds his hand up, silencing the Commander, anger darkening his gaze. “No.” His stare shifts to Alix. “How quickly can you ready the soldiers who are still here at Court to fight?”
Alix considers the question, rubbing his hand over his chin.
“A month? Maybe two? And that’s if I have help.
In the meantime,” he tilts his head to Zara.
“I think it would be wise for you and your family to retreat to Lanray until the army is prepared to keep you safe.” He briefly eyes the Commander, who gives him an approving nod.
Elara speaks up, sitting forward in her chair. “What of the wedding? I’ve waited for so long…I mean…” She grips the arms of the throne, “We can’t just up and leave!”
King Hardin steps around me and puts his hand on Leer’s shoulder. “I think our children’s safety is the priority. We can postpone the nuptials until the threat has been removed.”
Elara’s eye twitches just slightly and she watches Leer, almost expectantly.
Leer steps forward. “Your Majesties, I’m sure my father and I would be honored if you would all come to Lanray.
The princess and I can spend more time together, and you’ll be safe at our Court.
Perhaps we can hold the wedding there as to not delay the union.
” He lifts a corner of his mouth and raises an eyebrow at Hardin. “Father?”
King Hardin lifts his chin proudly and places his arms behind his back. “We would be delighted to host you at Lanray.”
Elara grins with pleasure and relaxes back in her throne.
King Jeffery rubs his chin, considering the invitation and finally nods his head.
“Thank you, old friend, for your hospitality. I will send Zara and Elara to Lanray, but I must stay behind with my army and Court. I can’t leave my people without a ruler if there truly is a threat from the Unseelie Court. ”
“What? Absolutely not! I’m not going anywhere without you.
” Zara crosses her long arms over her chest. “We can’t just run from this!
Someone has to do something. Please. I want to stay.
I want to fight. For Emlyn. She’s in no shape to leave, and I will not leave her.
” Her voice trembles as she mumbles to the floor, “Not again.”
“This is for the best. You and Emlyn could have been killed today.”
She jerks her chin back up, anger flashing in her bright eyes, and she turns on the Commander. “You! You knew of the dangers in the Woodlands, and you told no one.”
The Commander steps back, a hand flying to his chest. “I beg your pardon? I do not answer to you. Trust me, the dangers were well known to the king.”
Zara’s mouth hangs agape. “Father?”
King Jeffery pinches the bridge of his nose. “Why do you think I’ve been so against you going anywhere outside of the palace alone? The specifics were not important and I certainly didn’t want rumors flying about a threat I wasn’t completely sure existed.”
“But…the monst—” Zara pleads.
Monster? My ears perk slightly hoping to hear what she was going to say, but I don’t get the chance before King Jeffery’s voice booms through the space.
“I’ve made my decision! I need you to go somewhere where you’ll be protected.” King Jeffery’s face is etched with pain, and it’s obvious that sending his only daughter away is the last thing he wants.
“Not to mention, you’re still embarrassingly unable to shift.
Nor have you been trained to wield a blade.
Honestly Zara, your poor choices and even poorer attitude toward the rules that your father and I have set for you have put us in this position.
” Elara’s eye twitches again and even I’m taken aback by the bite in her voice.
What? Zara can’t shift? Shifting is a basic skill we learn when we’re young. For a princess to have yet to master such a skill is, well…sheer insanity. She must have been even more coddled than I originally thought.
“The attack wasn’t my fault.” Zara’s voice is quiet, and she looks down at her hands as they trace over the dried blood splattered on the bodice.
Elara’s cackle echoes around the empty ballroom.
“If you didn’t leave your guard behind and sneak out.
Again. None of this would have happened.
Of course, it’s your fault.” She cocks her head, smirking, and a thin brow rises high on her forehead.
“Nevertheless, you’ll listen to your father for once, and we’ll leave for Lanray as soon as possible. ”
“No.” Zara holds her chin high, but her lip quivers ever so slightly.
“No?”
Zara steps toward Elara’s throne, “No.” She turns to her father with a pleading look. “What if I learn to fight? Then, can I stay?”
Before King Jeffery can respond, Elara laughs again, leaning forward to scrutinize her stepdaughter. “You. You want to learn to fight?” She considers this idea for a moment. “Please, Zara. Even if you were somehow capable of learning, it’s not exactly something that a princess should do.”
The princess simply shrugs. “I’m not exactly what anyone would call a traditional princess.”
Neither the King of Masseda nor Leer makes a comment on Zara’s behalf, and she shoots another pleading look in her father’s direction.
“Father? Please.” King Jeffery’s lips form a thin, tight line, and he stares silently down at his hands, folded in his lap.
Zara’s nostrils flare, then she turns on her heel, pushing past me and Alix and races out of the throne room.
Alix glances toward King Jeffery and bows before chasing after the princess.
“Insolent child.” Elara brushes her black hair from her shoulder and turns her steely gaze on King Hardin. “Thank you for your kindness. I’ll see to it that we’re prepared to return to Lanray with you straight away.”
“It’s my pleasure.”
They share a look and the memory of them speaking in hushed tones in the hallway the other night flashes through my mind. Something isn’t right here.
King Hardin puts his menacing hand on my shoulder and addresses the king.
“I wasn’t aware of the princess being unable to shift.
Perhaps I can offer my son’s squire to assist her in honing the skill.
He’s a talented shifter, and I’m certain he would love nothing more than to teach Zara.
” He grips my shoulder a little too hard.
“Isn’t that right, Alfrie?” He smiles tightly at me.
“Of course.” I lower my eyes to the floor. It’s not my place to question when or why he offers my services. Though training a spoiled princess in the art of shifting sounds unbearable. Please say no, please say no.
“That would be excellent. I would feel much better if I knew that Zara could defend herself in some way.”
“Perfect. I’ll see that it’s done once we return to Lanray.” Hardin bows to King Jeffery and Elara, then grips me tightly around the arm. “Come, Alfrie. We need to have a chat.”