“I’ve told you, I am not his heir. I am not in line for the throne. I am a illeg—”
“Tell me your heart does not argue otherwise.” He cut me off. “I know it does because mine does. We are the same, destined to take from our fathers. Born with a natural inclination to do so. Ready to seize the moment we rise and meet our destiny.”
“That is not the truth for me. Unfortunately for you,” I said, grabbing the chalice to busy my hands. But doubt slithered up my spine. Did I long for my father’s crown? The vision of my mother, was that truly her, or was that me wailing my own selfish desires?
“I stopped you from sharing your thoughts because I believe you’ll help me with this war when you’re ready to. You’re no fool. The missing sirens aside, your father’s rule has been a contentious one. Your people suffer at his hands. You know that. You yourself have suffered at his hands,” Hylos added.
I’d never thought of it as suffering. If anything, I always felt my circumstances were punishment or penitence. For not being a man in this cruel world.
But did my mother die for the same crime?
Were we both truly guilty? Or was my father simply wielding the blade of justice incorrectly?
Cedric’s voice scraped over my mind.He doesn’t hate you. He fears you. They all do.He was so bloody certain that I had some untapped power. Just as Hylos was now.
“I could put you on his throne,” Hylos said, pulling me from my thoughts. “If we rise from the sea, march into Guardian’s Watch, we could take the city with ease, just as we do the king’s ships.”
My heart thrummed in my chest. Was he truly offering me my father’s throne? Offering me Oakhaven?
“Oakhaven is not a ship, Hylos. It is a country with armies and navies.”
“We can brandish water and control people.”
“You can control aportionof the population.”
“The more powerful part,” he countered.
“And you plan to put theweakerpart of humanity on the throne? A feeble woman such as myself?” I scoffed. “You doubt the strength ofwomen at your peril. They will fight for their men. For their children. They’ll rip you apart with their teeth for their Guardians-damned country.”
“You’re right. As would you. So save it. From him.” He said it so easily. “You have the heart of a fucking king, Elowyn. He only possesses the withered, black, dying organ of a leech.”
“You don’t even know me.” I had no king’s heart. I was a lover of art, history, and stories. I possessed the heart of a reader, a musician, a poet. Not the heart of a fighter, a ruler. “You also do not know Oakhaven. I’d be challengedimmediately. A woman has never ruled.”
“The sea would defend you. I would defend you.”
“Why? Why wouldyouever do that for me?” I asked.
“Because you would never harm my people.”
Understanding dawned on me. “You think I’d be a good puppet.”
Hylos didn’t believe in me, he sought to control me. Just as Cedric did. Just as everyone did.
“No. I think you would be my ally. Land and sea would be united for the first time. We would be unstoppable.”
It was an absurd, juvenile hope. One that would be cut down and battered, just like every person before him who’d dared to go against my father.
Heavy silence settled between us. There was nothing more to say. Nothing left to do. It was a foolish plan by a foolish boy-king, and I needed to get the fuck out of Naiadon before I was forced to comply with his childish whims.
“I’ll think on it,” I lied.
His smile fell, like he could hear the doubt in my voice. He took another sip of his drink. His jaw set. “We have anotherevent tonight, with the royal sirens. Will you join?” His tone had changed. It was heavier, more guarded.
I eyed him warily. “Are you sure it’s safe?”
“Yes, security will be increased and only royal guests were invited.”
“Will Calypstra be there?” I asked.
