“I have no intentions other than to love Prince Nox—”
“But it takes more than that to be a queen!” he interjects, his voice booming into the space and hand smacking the table, making me jump. “It is why this council has suggested that Nox wed my niece! She was raised from birth to lead this—”
Shadows lift from the corners of the room, rushing over the stone floor like a wave of onyx, as the door to the council chambers is thrown open. The sound of it cracking cleaves the room into stunned silence. Nox’s silhouette fills the doorway as the shadows he’s called climb up his body, writhing around him in furious movements. His eyes catch the light of the spelled flames above, making the silver in them glow as he takes a menacing step forward. Magic pours into the space as if it were a thundercloud all its own, but even under its stifling presence, I feel Nox’s power caress me gently. He glares at the men and women at the table, his eyes narrowing when he sees Haylee sitting across from me.
“Who yelled at her?” His voice slices out like a blade, making nearly everyone at the table jump. When no one answers, Nox’s eyes flare with barely restrained fury. “Who yelled at her?” he asks again through gritted teeth.
Sadryn moves to stand, his hands slipping into his pockets as he takes a step towards his son, but Nox holds a shadow-laced hand out towards him, halting his movements. Wreathed in darkness, he looks less like the prince of the Mage Kingdom and more like a god of the underworld.
“If perhaps my voice was louder than I intended, I’m sorry,” Councilman Borris answers, voice quavering.
“Perhaps?” Nox questions, taking another step towards the table until he’s standing behind Haylee.
Her chin rises, regal and poised even as she clenches her shaking hands. As I observe the picture they paint together, I can’t deny that she does look like she belongs there—at his side and ruling over a kingdom. My magicburnsme from the inside at the thought of them together.
Daje stands, his chair squeaking as he does. Deep purple begins to glow in Nox’s hand, his head snapping to the side at the movement.
“Nox, it’s okay,” I say quickly, drawing his attention away from Daje. I stand and make my way around the table, laying my hands over his. “It’s alright.”
“Speaking to you that way isneveralright,” he insists, his gaze lifting above me to once more glower over the table. I turn and look to Sadryn for help, his own features a mixture of uncertainty and shock.
“Nox, let’s go for a walk and cool down.” Sadryn wraps an arm around Nox’s shoulders, and though the tension of unmistakable fury still keeps him rigid, he releases his hold on the shadows and calls his magic back. His eyes fall down to mine again, and I nod my head in reassurance.
“I’m fine. Go. I’ll meet you back in your room.” I watch as Sadryn all but forces Nox to leave, the heavy pressure of magic dissipating as they do.
“This is allyourfault, girl,” Councilman Borris seethes as he stands abruptly from his chair. “I know you—”
“Enough,” Councilman Kallin shouts, rising from the table. “Daje, take Rhea out of this room.Now.”
My next few steps are automatic, Daje gently placing a hand on my lower back and guiding me out into the hall and past the broken door of the council room.
Not brave enough. Not talented or smart enough. Notgoodenough. Not. Enough.Without even knowing me, the council was able to prey on my insecurities with little effort.
“Rhea.” Daje’s voice breaks through my dejection, his image blurring through my burning eyes. “Are you alright?” He immediately pinches his lips together and shakes his head, running a hand over his hair. “No, of course you aren’t. That was…”
“Brutal,” Haylee supplies, joining us out in the hall. “I’m so sorry, Rhea. My uncle asked me to join, and I had no idea he would call on me.” She clasps her hands in front of her, shoulders rolling forward as the corners of her lips tug downward.
“Do you want me to walk you to your room?” Daje asks sincerely, extending an arm out towards me.
Being alone with my thoughts is the last thing I want. I remember that thereissomeone else I can talk to, and she should still be here in the palace. “No, thank you. I think I’ll go to the library.”
Daje lingers as he observes me, his gaze flicking to Haylee and then back to me. He gives me a small nod and then turns to head back into the council room, carefully pushing past the busted door.
“Can I accompany you on your way to the library?” Haylee asks.
I want to say no, that having her so near makes my magic harder to control. That after what just happened, I’d prefer towalk alone. But she looks concerned, and I havenoreason to not like her. “Of course.”
Together, we move down the hallway, Haylee’s light blue dress in contrast to my deep plum-colored one as we walk side by side. She’s fixed her posture, her shoulders perfectly level and her spine straight.
“The council will not get past their disapproval of you and Nox,” she mutters under her breath, barely loud enough for me to hear though it hits me harshly enough to make me stumble.
“How can you be sure? Today didn’t go so well, but there is time to win them over. To try again.”I’mnot even convinced of that. Neither is Haylee, as she slows our pace down when we round a corner.
“I’m privy to much more than you would think, Rhea, and trust me, the council will not change their minds. But it doesn’t have to mean that you and Nox can’t be together.”
I shake my head, disappointment twisting my stomach. “I won’t ask Nox to forsake the throne for me. I couldn’t do that—to him or the kingdom.”
“I don’t think there is a need for somethingthatdramatic.” The door to the library comes into view, and Haylee stops completely, turning her head in both directions to make sure we are alone before she steps closer to me. “What if Nox and I wed for show. To make the council happy.”
