The truth is, whether you’re worthy or not, you are better than Chief. That must be enough.Aidon’s voice thunders in my head, answering the questions I didn’t dare to ask.
Relief washes over me, though it’s bittersweet. I want to be a good Queen, not merely better than the worst choice. Vanity, yes, but I’ve never claimed to be without flaws.
“Sels, love. Better to question your worth than overestimate it,” Jestin says, easing the tension slightly. “If you agree, I’ll send an orb to King Argos. We don’t have much time.”
He pauses, giving me space to back out, but I don’t. I dart my gaze from his green eyes to Riven’s silver ones before nodding, more to myself than to them.
It’s time to get my shit together.
Chapter 10
The festive spirit permeates the air.
Summer Solstice is a short pause, halfway through the year for a Fae to take an assessing look at what they have already achieved and what else can yet be done. Reinforce the right approach and change direction if necessary, but above all, it is time for self-reflection.
A time when a Fae acknowledges those around them and their role in life. Doesn’t matter if that role is a caring mate who shows you love and stability, a stranger who thrills you, or a friend who forces you to face the unknown.
At least theoretically, that’s how it is supposed to work.
Unfortunately, both summer and winter holidays have their dark sides. For me, it is a mandatory celebration in the morning.
No offence, Gorok, but if it is doable, I will change the formality and strictness of your priestesses. They have sticks high enough up their asses to disturb the flow of information through their synapses.
Sighing, I sink deeper into the chair. My only enjoyment right now is the soothing, cold ambience of the temple and the sour expression on Zulu’s face when she found me on the podium. In comparison, the High Priest was elated.
Despite the chilly reprieve, sweat coats my skin, courtesy of nerve-wracking anxiety. No one talks about the somaticsymptoms. My nerves are so wired that I seriously consider running away if I hear one ugly comment.
I can’t take it.
High Queen begging for approval, can I be more cliché?
Jestin talked me into going to the celebration with him. Worst, staying by his side. “Tiny steps first, what better way than to perform a celebration to Gorok.”
Blah blah blah.
He was always skilled at talking me into shitty situations. Dante too. The number of times I got in trouble because I was stupid enough to listen to them.
Once I snuggled an ACTUAL DRAGON EGG into the palace. Grandpa and Grandma were fuming. They said I could cost us a war between the Dragthralls and the Fae, or even the Dragons themselves. I was determined never to trust Dante and Jestin ever again. Then again, the following week we kidnapped a human from Zeznia.
Both of them are freaking silver-tongued.
He convinced you with the feast afterward. Don’t bullshit yourself,Aidon chips in on my monologue, forever helpful. My cheeks go red with the accusation.
Yeah, but that’s what I was thinking about. He knows how to manipulate me.I reply.
Yeah, like it was some master alchemy to figure it out.He catches me staring and smiles.But you are quite skilled in alchemy. Portal magic is your nemesis, isn’t it?
Point taken. Fuck you. Let’s go back to the topic.
Can’t I even bullshit myself a little? Stop being so malicious. It is very tiring.I glare at Aidon, sitting in the third row next to a pretty blonde-haired Fae.
I furrow my brows as I notice how close they are.
What are you even doing there?My mental voice is a bite, while I’m calculating the distance between Aidon’s thigh and the skirt of the harlot next to him.
Less than two fingers.
Aidon moves his leg away from her. My gaze goes up, and he winks.
