A figure behind the King shifted, one Sol hadn’t noticed upon arriving. He was tall, maybe as tall as Cas, and donned traditional silver armor. His face was partially shielded by a metal helmet, a slight beard peeking from it.
Sol wanted to shrink to the floor and live with the vermin amongst the bookshelves as the King let out a hearty laugh. “Though you don’t look like Irene, you sure have her demeanor. Sit, girl. We won’t bite.” Slowly, cautiously, Sol sat.
“A pleasure to finally meet you,” the older woman said from beside the King. “What is your name, darling?”
“Sol.”
“Your full name, Sol?” King Semmena braced his elbows on his knees, his eyes lifting to meet hers.
Nina tensed beside her. She might’ve said something, but Sol interrupted, “I don’t use my full name.”
The King angled his head. “Oh?”
“Uttering your name is safe within these walls, child.” The older man gave her a tired smile, clasping his hands together across his chest. He wore long brown robes, like the older woman who now tapped her slender fingers on her forearm.
Sol didn’t like these people. Didn’t like their smirks. Didn’t like the King’s snaking gaze. Especially didn’t appreciate the younger woman’s scowl.
Nina said to be nice. So she should smile, maybe give them her name. Bat her eyelashes bashfully.
But she didn’t want to.
Sol returned the King’s smile. “You tell me yours, and I’ll tell you mine, Majesty.”
They all stilled. Everyone except Sawyer, who shamelessly let a smile creep over her lips as she looked at her father.
“Watch yourself, girl,” the older woman snapped, slamming her hands on the table.
King Semmena merely grinned. “Ah, it’s fine Gina,” he said. “It’s been quite a while since I’ve had someone unafraid to speak to me in such a way.”
“What, Sawyer’s profanity isn’t enough?” The younger woman rolled her eyes.
This time Cas cut his attention to the woman and sneered, “Watch it, Samara.”
Samara winked at him. “Good to see you too, brother.” Sol’s brows rose.
Samara... Penny’s mother?
“Enough.” The King’s command boomed through the room and Sol swore the lights flickered. Everyone obeyed. Even Sawyer had the good sense to avert her gaze.
“We shall focus on the task at hand. Banter on your own time.” He resumed his casual tone and stood, striding over to the man behind him. He leaned close, whispering something to which the man gave a curt nod.
King Semmena turned back to Sol, his face calm and once again pleasant. “I assume they have told you what you are here for. And introduced themselves.” Sol nodded.
“Well, let me tell you again, with some added details.” As the king spoke, the man behind him emerged toward the table holding a silver chalice. “The four people around you are children of Queen Irene’s trusted circle and Court,” the King started. “They are appointed to her successor, then their children to theirsuccessor, and so on. I’ve kept Gina and Samara, though.” He gave her a small, forced smile. “I do hope you don’t mind.”
The armored man set the chalice down in front of the King, then extended an arm toward Sol.
“The reason you are here now, Sol, is because you have claimed to be the late Queen’s daughter, therefore Heiress to the throne of our glorious kingdom.”
Sol didn’t move. Nina gestured to the King, then to the man with his arm extended. Alix too, gave her a small smile and jerked his head to motion her their way. There was no way Sol was nearing those people. The ridiculous table between them was barely enough distance. Sol met Sawyer’s gaze to her left, then Cas's. And although Sawyer made a move to near her first, Cas put a hand on her shoulder and extended his hand past her and Alix to Sol.
That hand, she took.
She might not trust the people around her, but she sure felt more protected with them than alone.
Cas led her along the side of the table, his hand warm and tender around her own. They walked in full view of Samara, who, to Sol’s delight, seethed with anger. They stopped in front of the armored man, who slipped past Gina and Samara to meet them by the edge of the table. His hand was still extended. Cas raised their joined hands and gently slid hers into the man’s grasp. The man’s grip was smaller and colder, but firm.
Still, Cas only stepped a few steps behind her instead of returning to his spot.
