“And why is that?” The table rattles as he slams down his cup. “William was a good man, and he helped the Jade Guild when we were desperate. But that was long ago, I don’t owe you anything, and you do notruleanything except for that village of outcasts.”
Twisting my father’s ring on my fore finger, I grit my teeth. “You don’t owe me anything, but what of the people in your jurisdiction? Who live right here in the Trinity Forest? Or have you forgotten them in the years since you locked up?”
A muscle feathers in his jaw, and his eyes drift to his lap. “My duty is to Valebridge. To ensure law and civility is upheld in the Trinity Forest and all of its towns. My duty is not to you despite how highly you may think of yourself.”
“And yet you’ve closed your doors to the king? Haven’t attended an Autumn Moon Ball in four years.” I whistle and place my hands behind my head. “Perhaps your duties have changed?”
“Get on with it,” he says, his lip snarling. “Tell me why you’re here.”
“My point is, surely there will be benefits to aiding the rightful heir to the throne.” I place my hands back in my lap.
His eyes narrow slightly before his face relaxes. “So, you think it’s time to take the throne?” He laughs, low and deep, and my fingers dig into my palms. “How can you be so certain the council will accept you?”
“Because you’re going to help me,” I say bluntly before braving another sip of the tea. “And so are the other Guilds.”
A crease forms between his brows, but his body is unflinching.
“Listen, I wouldn’t ask for your participation if there was another way. I know you’ve denied me in the past, but this can’t go on any longer. Your removal from events in Valebridge must cease.” I square my shoulders, feigning the confidence I know I’ll need to win him over. “I need you to pull the other Guilds together for the Autumn Moon.”
“Giving demands already?” He shakes his head, but I can’t stop now. Not when there’s so much on the line.
Not when Elora and Galen’s lives are on the line.
I lean onto my elbows, so my face is closer, and my body is taller. “I understand your lack of interest in going to Valebridge. No one wants to bear witness to the horrors done there to the Enchantresses.” My mind drifts to my Enchantress and the possible horrors she has already faced. Swallowing down the rising panic in my throat, I continue, “But we can’t sit back any longer. We’ve wasted years hiding away like cowards. It’s time to take a stand and time for change. I am that change.”
A few beats of silence pass before he lets out a long, ragged sigh. “What is her name?”
Baffled, my body recoils back. “I beg your pardon?”
Thaddeus smiles, his eyes crinkling as he does. “The girl you seek to save. What is her name?”
My stomach flips, but I don’t let my panic show. “Elora Leigh.”
Nodding, Thaddeus reclines in his chair. “So, it’s true,” he mumbles.
“What—”
“You know my nephew, Evren, is about your age. Was always difficult to keep him locked down.” Thaddeus smiles. “But he’s here now. He is to be my heir, since I have sired none. And his wife…” He leans back in his chair, the shake of his hand more prominent than before. “His wife, Tallulah, is an Enchantress. Such a lovely girl.”
I force myself to keep my composure. How he has any idea about Elora, and why he chose to harbor an Enchantress for his nephew yet denied my efforts to go to Valebridge all those years, is perplexing, but I don’t press him for answers right now. I can’t.
“All the more reason to help me get the throne,” I say, my confidence resuming. “I’ll put a stop to this madness, Thaddeus. I should have—” A knot forms in my throat thinking of all the years I’ve let slip by pretending the problems in Valebridgeweren’t my own. All the lives I didn’t bother to save because I only saw what was right in front of me. “I should have put a stop to this years ago.Weshould have stopped this.”
He runs a hand down his face before his weary eyes meet mine again. I can see the battle behind them, wanting to help but wanting to stay safe. It’s the same battle I’ve had with myself for years. Desperately wanting to keep Sam and Agnes protected. Keep Loxley protected.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about, Rudhek. It was never as easy as bringing you to Valebridge.” His eyes roam my face, his fingers laced together on the tabletop. “I assume you have a plan? I won’t risk Tallulah or Evren being put in harm's way. They’ve been through enough.”
Nodding, I finish off the bitter tea despite my instinct to throw it in a fire. My mind is reeling with questions I know he won’t answer but nonetheless, relief unclenches my shoulders. For whatever reason, he’s decided to help me, and right now, I need all the help I can get.
“Get me into Valebridge. Get the other Guilds to agree to attend the Autumn Moon Ball and fortify my decree as the rightful heir. Together we can stop Roman and then you and your family will have nothing to worry about. They’ll be free. Tallulah, Elor–” I choke on her name. “They’ll all be free.”
Thaddeus steeples his hands, watching me over the tips of his fingers. The same scraping sound from before echoes through the room and I turn my head to see not the reckless boy I remember from my childhood, but a man.
His dark auburn hair is pulled back low at his nape, a few rogue waves hang around his face, framing his green eyes and freckled skin.
Evren.
Next to him is who I assume to be Tallulah. She’s lovely with silky, onyx hair bound in two braids. Her glowing, tanned skinis enhanced by her lavender dress and the brightness of her blue eyes catch my breath. She doesn’t smile, but grabs Evren’s hand, keeping her eyes pinned on me.
