Edwin’s eyes met mine, and I could see he was thinking along the same lines. His brows were pinched in a thoughtful frown. “They could easily have met up if she stopped in his city. But why would they? Victor is of no use to her now. He annulled their engagement. She knows this.”
“I can’t begin to explain a motivation. I’ve never understood how Victor’s thought process worked to begin with.”
Edwin’s face scrunched up further. “True. Logic doesn’t really enter into it. Would he have thrown it all aside if she offered to harbor him? Gone with her instead of staying quietly in his own house?”
“Again, logic has no bearing on his thoughts. You and I would stay with the sure thing. But if she offered him safety from anyrepercussions—though how she could guarantee this I’m unsure—he may have taken it. He has nothing to lose in his view.”
“That would explain why we can’t find him,” Destin admitted. “It’s not like anyone was keeping a close watch on him after he got to his new house. He could have turned around and gone straight back to the docks and no one would have been the wiser.”
I could picture it all too clearly. That was the main problem. I could see Victor doing that very thing.
“That doesn’t explain why Princess Valentina is still missing,” Stedman pointed out. “Even if she made an overnight stop to pick up Victor, she’s still overdue at home by a good two days. Unless she has no intention of going home.”
She might not. Having a taste of freedom, with Victor’s unfortunate influence, they may have chosen to galivant off somewhere for fun. Which really only left me with two questions, neither of which I had ready answers for.
Where in the world had the two troublemakers gone off to?
And was it my responsibility to find them?
Seventy-five
James
What a sad state of affairs that my first council meeting as king was aboutthis.
Upsetting, even, as I didn’t want to even think along these lines, but the paranoia riding in the back of my mind insisted I had to. The possibility of the Demon King somehow rising once more was becoming more reality than theory.
The council meeting was packed, not a single seat open. Normally, meetings were about half full, but with everyone being called in for the coronation and wedding, more nobility were in town than usual. I had capitalized on this and called for a meeting, wanting everyone aware and updated on the situation.
Speaker Messalina Stanhope stood, activating the controls to signal the meeting start. “Greetings, everyone, and welcome. I will open this session by first welcoming our new monarchs. All rise for King James and King Edwin.”
Everyone rose and bowed or curtsied, which I returned with a nod. Edwin copied my mannerism perfectly at my side. Such a quick study.
“Thank you. You all may be seated.” While people regained their seats, Speaker Stanhope turned to me. “Your Majesty, you called for this meeting. What agenda would you address?”
“One of grave importance.” I stood and took the floor. “Everyone, there have been several alarming signs that demonic energy is active in the kingdom.”
People burst out into questions and demands, some whispering to their neighbors. I couldn’t blame them for the reaction. I would have done the same in their shoes.
Speaker Stanhope immediately took charge, calming them down again, for which I gave her a thankful nod.
Marquess Emanuel stood with hand raised. “Speaker, may I have the floor for a question?”
“The chair recognizes Marquess Emanuel and he has the floor.”
“Your Majesty, how do you know?”
“Sadly, the gods themselves reported such to us. Vuheia informed me they detected the demonic energy, but they can’t find the source. Not the demon portal—although the ward is in danger—so we’re not sure where the energy is coming from. Just that it’s insidious and strengthening.”
Another outburst as people panicked. Again, I couldn’t blame them. I myself was quite upset about the whole situation. I waffled between anger that I had to go through thisagainand worry about how much damage this second round would cause.
I’d truly believed, when I’d bartered for the ability to come back in time, that I wouldn’t have to face the Demon King again. I’d thought renewing the seals earlier than intended and placing knights to safeguard the portal would prevent that awful, horrific war from happening once more.
Now, I was faced with the realization that this war might be fated. Try as I might, I might not be able to fend the Demon Kingoff with passive measures. This was heading toward a battle, and while I hated the very thought, part of me was already resigned.
But it wouldn’t go the same as it had last time. OfthatI was confident.
Speaker Stanhope wrestled the crowd back into some semblance of order again. Truly, she was marvelously good at it. No wonder she had the job of Speaker.
