It’s your mother’s partner.
I blink, scanning her face more carefully this time, taking in the sharp cheekbones, the piercing gaze. Slowly, recognition clicks into place. He is fucking right. Adrianna Prunar is sitting next to me. No wonder she was shooting me those dirty looks.
The deity, General, nods, his solemn tone contradicting the rigid control of his professional posture. “Chief has orderedconscription not only among the full-time warriors, but also within the courts, to provide their share of troops.”
“WHAT????” I snap, jerking to my feet and cringe, finding six pairs of eyes focused on me. Still, before I think of how to get out of the situation without further embarrassment, the problem solves itself on its own, because the whole room bows their heads in acknowledgement.
Either driven by respect or fear. I chose not to dwell on which.
However, three heads have stayed still: Lord’s, General’s, and Aidon’s. They scrutinise me without any inhibition. As if they could ever consider themselves my equals. What a joke.
No cute nickname for me?asks Aidon in my head, in an offended tone.
“Chief Gerald announced that the kingdom of Sindral threatened his autonomous court of elemental Fae. He intends to use Rhodria’s resources to crush an imaginary threat, though in truth he’s merely hunting acasus bellito justify his personal vendetta,” Jestin says, sinking into his chair. Silence follows. Every eye turns to me.
Elementals indeed share the closest border with Sindral, but the ghouls are too powerful to risk a war. Fae magic is strong, but the ghouls wield the magic of the seven deadly sins. Such a war would bring too many casualties, and that’s only if the twin Gods don’t exterminate us for disobedience.
Disaster.
“Chief sent a war declaration to King Marcelo Argos less than five sunsets ago. Filip…” Jestin gives me his knowing look.Fuck.That’s what Uncle Filip wanted to tell me.Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I fucked up.
”…informed me that the king received the orb and demanded a meeting with the High Queen, or he would send his army.”
My blood boils. The storm stirs inside, tempting me with a power so vast, it could devour everything if I dared to release it.I take a deep breath. Focusing on inhaling and exhaling. As if the fucking breathing exercise will keep my temper in check.
“I am planning on sending an orb to Chief Gerald to set an opportunity to discuss it,” I say with formality, successfully masking the rage inside me.
“That’s it?” Aidon asks in outrage. Loudly, bringing me under scrutiny of others.
Nasty bastard.
Vile scum of a Fae.
“Such an unseemly language.” He smacks his lips with a tone full of fucking disdain, and I whirl towards him, my entire body reacting to the audacity of him judging my manners.
And now they all stare.
Great.
What the fuck can I say to this?
Yes, that’s it, I am too weak to do anything about this.
Scumly cockroach.
“That is not even a real word,” he taunts, crossing his arms and leaning on the chair. The others shoot him confused glares.
“I am certain it was a misunderstanding.” I go back to the question, plaster a smile on my face, but I am not certain fumes aren’t coming from my nostrils. If he pushes me any further, I will snap his head off, even if hurting the bond master will cost me some excruciating agony. Yet, I am beginning to think that sending his sorry excuse of an ass to an early meeting with Gorok will be worth it.
.Are you offending my ass? I can assure you, My Lady, it is as well sculptured as my face,He says in my mind, all the time smirking like the asshole he is.
“Seleste, it is not,” Nulok interrupts, but I don’t follow the actual conversation anymore. “The aristocracy raised many protests against this. No one could sway Chief from that decision. A few places rioted. Some youngsters didn’t want toleave and attacked the army. They were put down without trials.”
My heart shrinks.
Grief presses heavily on my heart. I fall into the chair, drained.
“You won’t do anything about that?” Aidon challenges me.
