Wow.
“I—” Father stammers, and it’s just enough time for Johnn to keep going.
“Everyone forgets sometimes, My King,” the young advisor says with a sympathetic smile that says a thousand words.
It starts those murmurs right back up.
As for King Gravier, his face is so fucking red, I swear it’s about to burst with how much raging blood is flowing through his veins.
He’s going to kill Johnn.
But you have to be King to give that kind of order.
“Father. Why don’t you give the announcement we’ve been discussing for our kingdom,” I tell him with a peaceful tone, but gods, is he turning redder? Is that even possible?
“Aries,” he warns on that growling tone, “I banished you once,” he says lowly.
I swallow hard. A warm hand slides over mine, and I don’t look back at the men I know are standing directly behind me.
“Darling, don’t talk about that right now,” a serene voice says.
Then her hand is on my shoulder. It’s a touch filled with memories I can’t explain. It’s love, and it’s comfort in one simple pat of the hand. That’s just the magic a mother has, I guess.
I just didn’t expect to ever feel it again.
“You promised Aries the crown, sweetheart,” Mother says.
“I did no such thing!” His entire body shakes with outrage.
Zaviar takes one step, and he stands just in front of me but not blocking the sight of my father’s blazing aggression from over the three thrones.
We’re momentarily distracted when my mother pulls the shining sword hanging just behind my father’s throne.
The crowning sword.
“I know. I know it’s hard to remember everything.” Even I’m stunned by my mother’s words. “Just—give her the crown, Gravier. You and I can live along the river. We can rest and relax. We can let the days pass us by.” She extends her small hands to offer my father the sword.
The anger on his face has turned to seething rage. A vein pulses at the center of his forehead.
He has to know this is the best option. The Shadow Guard will kill him. He’ll die by their hand. Or he can go fuck off and die in silence, with the peaceful waters of the Iris River lulling him to sleep each night.
Sometimes, when we do the best thing for someone, it’s still cruel. I don’t think he’s realized that until right now.
I take a slow stalking step closer. Zaviar’s hand slides down mine, but I walk on until I’m right in front of my father. His long silver hair touches mine as I glare up into his eyes, but I keep my obedient daughter smile pressed firmly in place as I whisper to him and him alone, “How does it feel to finally be on the banishing end of banishment, Daddy?”
And then he does snap.
His composure breaks right down the middle, like ancient glass in a hail storm.
Magic flies out of him in splinters of deep gray that slap into me and send me backward, falling from the platform and skittering over the ballroom floor.
My back hits hard, and my breath leaves fast. I stare up at the high arching ceiling, taking a moment for the gasps of the people surrounding me to fully take effect. It’s nothing but the sound of stunned shock.
It’s a nice charming little sound in this moment of uprising.
I spot my mother also fallen to the floor. The crowning sword lies at her side, and there’s a small scratch on her cheek, but she’s unharmed for the most part.
When I stand, I don’t expect to see what my wide eyes are taking in.
