“You can’t trust anyone, Colette.” Elias pinned her with his gaze. “Ever. That way leads to your downfall,” he said, hoping if he kept repeating the same thing over and over, it might sink into her pretty little head.
“I trust you,” she countered.
Blast!She was so fucking sweet. So fucking sweet and naive and foolish. He patted her hand. “I’m glad you trust me. And I won’t betray that trust.”
Still, she shouldn’t trust him. She could. But she shouldn’t. She had not known him long enough nor did she know him well enough to trust him. And if she did know him well enough, she would know he was not particularly trustworthy.
Elias knew how fickle people could be. Thosewho were once there for you could suddenly not be. The only way to protect yourself was to not trust anyone. You could only ever rely on yourself. That was how you protected yourself.
Still, he would do his best by her. He just wished she wasn’t being thrown into the deep end at this peace assembly. He wished he had more time away from all this.
The carriage pulled to its final stop.
Elias exhaled. He cast one last glance over his outfit, smoothing the blue fabric. He smiled, a radiant and very fake smile. “How do I look?”
“You look beautiful,” she gushed. “As always.”
He smirked. “Well, of course I do.”
She giggled.
“Now come, let’s go see if Empress Emmeline thinks I look beautiful too.”
Chapter
Five
“So what is the purpose of this gathering with the royal family from Voltaria and Zephyrias?” Gerard asked Senta and Konrad.
The three siblings followed King Alaric and Queen Consort Adelina down a corridor. Their brother Luther was not in attendance. Gerard didn’t know why. He hoped it was because his brother was focusing on preparing himself for his upcoming nuptials. But Gerard doubted Luther was being so useful.
During the peace assembly, Gerard had met many Voltarians, and quite a few were sorcerers. As such, he no longer felt tense around the people whose compatriot had almost killed him.
He had a strange fascination with finding out all he could about the lightning sorcerers. In particular, the archmages. Unfortunately, he hadn’t learnt much. The identities of the archmages were unknown. They trained isolated from society. Their methods were secret.
“We’ll soon be deciding on the marriages between ournobles and theirs,” Konrad said. “The empress and emperor thought it would be nice to have a casual gathering so our families can get to know one another outside of the formal, long, boring, never-fucking-ending meetings.”
Konrad sighed. As heir to the throne, he was expected to take part in lots of the meetings and negotiations.
Senta and Gerard, whose general role was focused more on defence and military strategies, luckily did not have to go to these meetings. However, they were in charge of protecting their people at the White Monastery.
The family walked beneath a long arch trellis, dripping with jasmine vines and flowers that released a sweet scent. The wooden arch led to a small, well-manicured garden.
Voltarian and Zephyrian servants stood, backs straight as they lined one wall. They held trays of wine and minuscule food that appeared far too fine for Gerard’s big fingers.
I’d have to eat a hundred of those tiny bites of … whatever that green and pink food is to be full.
The royals from Voltaria and Zephyrias stood at the other side of the garden. They wore brightly coloured clothes, sparkling jewellery, and elaborate hairstyles. At the appearance of the Draconians, they approached.
“Your Majesties.” Empress Emmeline’s hand rested on Emperor Hugo’s arm. “We are so glad you could join us.”
“Yes. It is nice to meet in such a lovely little garden.” Emperor Hugo gestured to a bed of flowers.
The grand monk, the head of the Way of the Doves, bowed low. “I am glad you find it suitable, Your Majesty.” The copper chains, which marked his rank and the vows he’d made to the monastic order, dipped and swung.
“And it is our great honour and pleasure to facilitate these gatherings that help consolidate peace between your noble kingdoms,” the grand monk said.
“Yes. Thank you, Grand Monk. And thank you for the invitation, Emperor and Empress,” King Alaric said.
