Chapter 29 #2
“Well, that was a kind portrayal,” Dexter finally said.
Dawson chuckled. “I’ve been on the pointed end of her daggers one too many times not to be honest. However, she refuses to take the throne and has adamantly declared no interest in being a monarch or the power that comes with it. She doesn’t want it.”
The corners of Dexter’s lips tipped upward—a predator scenting blood.
“You believe her claims to the Vallorian line to be true?”
“Yes. She wouldn’t bond with a phoenix otherwise. No one has since her mother.”
“I’m right here, you know.” Alaire crossed her arms.
Dexter’s eyes gleamed with calculation. “Why aren’t you interested in claiming the throne? Afraid you’re not up to the task?”
“I have no interest in ruling a nonexistent territory. My only concern is completing my education.” And using this place’s secrets against the likes of you.
Dexter’s gaze roved over her, searching for any weakness.
Dawson leaned forward ever so slightly, his grip whitening on the leather armrests. His entire body vibrated with tension.
What was bothering him so much?
“Your education,” Dexter echoed, lips curling into a sneer. “Why should the Consortium do you the favor of allowing you to stay and finish it?”
“Because I have what you need, and in the end, you’d be doing yourselves a favor.
” Alaire lifted her chin defiantly. “Phoenix fire is one of the few effective weapons against vampires—even more so than your precious fliers and their bonded celestials. You’d gain another ally in the fight.
Isn’t that what you want? To stop the war and save the people of Cielore and Elithian?
” She paused, then pressed, “Isn’t that your priority? ”
They both knew it was a lie. Dexter cared for little beyond his own selfishness. And even if Dawson was too blinded by him now, eventually he would see Dexter Vale for what he was—a snake.
“Absolutely,” Headmaster Carth interjected, his tone conciliatory.
“But the Consortium is skeptical,” Dexter countered. “They need assurance you aren’t a threat.”
“A threat? To what? Your oligarchical rule?”
“Watch your tongue, woman.” His eyes flashed with fury.
“Or what?” she shot back, voice low and dangerous. Memories whipped through her mind faster than the rain during the Nocturne Crucible. “You’ll make an example of me? Go ahead. It wouldn’t be the first time. Or the last, I suspect.”
“You vapid little brat, how?—”
Dawson’s chair scraped back as he shot to his feet, every line of his body promising violence.
“No one speaks to her like that. Ever.” He towered over Dexter, forcing the advisor to crane his neck.
“You’ll show her respect. Or you’ll answer to me.
” The quiet menace in his voice sent an unexpected thrill through her.
It was kinda hot .
Headmaster Carth jumped up from his desk, stepping between them. “Let’s not be hasty. Each party is only trying to understand the other.”
Dawson rolled his shoulders as he dropped back into his seat, eyes never leaving the greaseball.
“I believe I can offer a solution amenable to both parties,” Dexter said, smoothing the black silk of his jacket with shaking fingers.
Sensing the trap in his words, Alaire eyed him warily. What was smarmy up to now?
“ Probably eating centipedes for breakfast ,” Solflara chimed in.
Alaire choked back a laugh.
“The Consortium is rightfully concerned,” Dexter continued. “Your return dredges up questions. Questions that demand answers. Perhaps we have something to offer one another—to ensure your safety and our interests.”
What he didn’t say was his interests.
“And that would be?”
A cold, calculated smile spread across Dexter’s face.
“I’ll put in a good word with the Consortium, vouch that you are who you allege and have no interest in reclaiming your throne.
In return, you must agree to support Elithian should the need arise.
House Ashfyre will answer our call when we require your phoenix’s unique abilities. ”
Alaire’s stomach twisted. Of course he wanted to use them for his agenda. “You mean you want us as your weapon.”
“Think of it as a mutually beneficial agreement.” His smile widened.
“Beneficial for you,” she muttered, playing up her disappointment at his terms. “Doesn’t seem like there’s any upside for me.”
“Tsk, Alaire, you’re looking at this the wrong way. Everything is about perspective, after all.”
She gritted her teeth to keep from snapping a retort. Was that a dig at her argument with Caius?
“You’ll continue your education, for one,” Dexter replied.
“If your magic fully manifests, you’re in the ideal place to learn to harness and wield it.
” Meaning he hoped it didn’t. “The powers of a phoenix are legendary. Trying to understand them on your own would be dangerous and foolish. Not to mention, being at Aeris Academy keeps you safe from external threats.”
He leaned forward. “The vampires went to ground after Starfall, believing the Vallorian line extinguished. War has resumed, with all Elithian as the target this time. Harboring you here is an opportunity for a powerful ally, but it carries equal risk if they discover you’re here.
After all, you survived when the Voidshade Sovereign did not.
And this is your chance to prove to the Consortium that you are an ally, not an enemy. ”
Alaire glanced at Dawson. His expression was unreadable, as though he refused to even acknowledge her presence.
Whatever emotion had cracked through earlier was gone, replaced by the cold mask she knew all too well.
It was like watching the tide recede after a fleeting surge, leaving only the icy walls he preferred to hide behind.
He was a gorgeous enigma who confused her as much as he fueled her.
“You expect me to take you at your word?”
“Hardly.” Dexter chuckled. “That’s why we’re having this meeting with witnesses—Headmaster Carth and the Prince of House Aetheris.
This is the only guarantee I can offer you, which is more than you can offer in return.
You’re in a precarious position, Alaire.
You need allies and protection. I’m offering both. ”
“These people are loyal to you, not me.” Alaire’s fingers drummed against her thighs. They thought her a pawn, blind to their strategy to checkmate their king. Too ignorant to notice the queen.
Dawson’s eyes bored into her, but she ignored him. Whatever came next was hers alone.
“Welcome to politics, Your Majesty,” Dexter said haughtily. “Might is often the most effective weapon when ruling a kingdom.”
Alaire forced a deep breath. This was exactly what she’d expected when the Consortium sent a mouthpiece to clip the wings of their newest threat.
Her fingers curled into her palms. Fierce determination burned hot whenever someone tried to corner her. Let him think he held all the cards—that she didn’t see the game for what it was.
She’d play along, biding her time under the guise of completing her education. She still needed to uncover how she’d survived Starfall, the connection between her past and Professor Ross’s files, and most importantly, to understand her magic.
With Solflara at her side, she was protected. But it wasn’t enough—not if she couldn’t wield aether. That was why she was willing to stomach Dexter’s poisonous offer.
She would take what she needed from Aeris Academy. Ensure she was prepared for what lay ahead.
Worst case, Solflara could get them out. But first, she’d try a different way. There was power in bloodless victories too.
She didn’t trust Dexter as far as she could throw him.
“Fine,” she said. “You have a deal. I’ll uphold my end with one minor adjustment. I want my record expunged, personally. As monarch, according to Cielorian law, I am to be granted immunity during my time on Cielore’s soil. I’ve been here the last fifteen years.”
His smile faltered for a millisecond. She’d nearly shouted in triumph when she found that footnote buried in the Australe Library. She wasn’t ashamed of why she’d been sent to Grimstone Penitentiary—she had done the right thing. But she wouldn’t let any record hinder her future.
“Don’t worry, Alaire,” Dexter said smoothly. “That’s already been seen to by another. I warned you—you were on our radar. Wouldn’t want that getting out and harming your image.”
The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. She felt Dawson’s glare like heat against her skin, but she shoved it aside. If he wanted to act as if she didn’t exist, she could do the same.
“If you’re referring to the time I was arrested for stopping a fae guard from whipping a human boy scavenging food on the Night of Remembrance—a night no fae should’ve been in the human districts—then I’d be happy for all of Cielore to know how the Consortium’s guards violate the constitution.
If they’re abusing that law, which others are they failing to uphold? ” Alaire smiled sweetly.
Dexter’s eyes burned with suspicion, but he said nothing, only watched her with renewed interest.
Alaire held his gaze, refusing to flinch. She could almost see the gears grinding behind his eyes.
Headmaster Carth clapped his hands in an overly cheerful tone. “Perfect. We’re all in agreement. Alaire will continue her education at Aeris Academy and answer the Consortium’s call. Dexter will vouch for her intentions.”
She rose, smoothing her palms down the front of her leathers, meeting Dexter’s stare with cool ambivalence. “If this is settled, I’ll return to my classes.”
Dexter leaned on the headmaster’s desk. “Remember, Alaire—we’ll be watching.” The threat in his tone was thinly veiled.
She didn’t respond. Turning on her heel, she strode out. She could feel their eyes drilling into her back.
If she wasn’t careful, those gazes would be replaced with knives.
Wind rattled the windows of Kaia’s room as Alaire sat cross-legged on the thick rug, pointedly ignoring the piles of clothes Kaia had tossed in the corner behind her desk.
Archer sat rigid in the chair by the window, eyeing Kaia’s bed like it might bite him.
When Kaia finally settled after handing them each a cup of warm tea, she sprawled across her bed on top of a crinkled stack of notes. Alaire cleared her throat—she’d asked them to meet here, after all.
“I had an interesting day,” she began, filling them in on her conversation with Dexter and the headmaster.
She told them about his underhanded threats, insinuations about her loyalty, and the target he’d painted on her back despite their so-called arrangement.
Her nails dug crescents into her palms as she recounted his parting words.
Kaia propped herself up on one elbow, eyes widening. “That bastard. What are you going to do?”
“It’s more of where… the Celestial Cascade Ball, to be exact,” she said. “All of Elithian’s nobility will attend. It gives me a chance to start planning.”
“It would be unwise to dismiss the opportunity.” Archer inclined his head, expression thoughtful. “We need to be strategic—make the right acquaintances, observe existing alliances, and gather what intelligence we can.”
“We?” Alaire echoed.
“Of course,” Archer replied.
“Duh.” Kaia rolled her eyes, as if it were silly of her to suggest otherwise.
Alaire glanced between her friends. The weight of the night eased. The plan was simple: observe, infiltrate, and stay one step ahead. Because this wasn’t just a ball—it was a battle wrapped in silk and draped in diamonds.
Archer’s lips quirked in faint amusement. “Diplomacy is an art form.”
“And we’re going to paint a masterpiece.” Kaia clapped her hands together.