“Let me make sure I understand you.” Heads nodded around the table, encouraging me to proceed. “You wish to dispose of Acsilla’s true heir, overlook the people’s choice, and place a murderer on the throne?”
“Heirs are replaceable.” Araceli said the words with such casual indifference.
A shiver ran down my spine, followed by a rush of cold fear for Seren’s safety. I had vowed to protect her, but I did not expect to have to guard her from the council too.
“Prince Claudian did not even kill his brother. That was merely the story concocted by Seren herself to justify his imprisonment,” Mira added.
I scoffed. “He may not have dealt the killing blow, but Claudian planned Tarquin’s murder. He intended to go through with it, and he would have, had Seren not insisted we stop him. Not to mention, the dozens of people Claudian ordered disposed of throughout theyears. No matter what happened that night, Claudian is a murderer, and hedidcommit treason.”
“Ah, yes. Those other murders he ordered. You carried them out, did you not?” Ignatius gave me a hard, flat look.
I blanched, swallowing heavily. “Some of them, yes. I did not have much choice in the matter.”
“Surely, you see that you have little choice once more. Side with us, and you will be protected. If you decline, well… we always have a backup plan.”
I could suppress my anger no longer. I rose from my seat, palms coming down on the table with a sharp sound.
Hesperia Farkas, the earth wielder and the council member closest to me, flinched. It did not escape my notice that she had remained markedly silent through these proceedings.
“Your threats do not scare me. While you have sat in this room pondering the level of treason with which you are willing to accept, I have made a choice to fight for what is right. I will not let a corrupt government control me any longer. Neither will Seren or Ayla. Or Théo. Do not think I haven’t noticed his absence.”
“Théo is too young, too idealistic, and far too close to the princess to discuss this rationally. I see you are more similar to him than we hoped.” Their disappointment was a heavy presence in the room, but I could not bring myself to care.
“My wedding to Seren will proceed as planned. Lady Lydia Adiran will come, and we will defeat her. Claudian will remain imprisoned.” I walked to the door with heavy steps, pausing as I turned back. “Your plan is an affront to this kingdom and a betrayal of its people. I may have renounced my old, murderous ways, but stand inherway and find your life forfeit to my blade.”
I expected gasps of shock, or a sound of surprise at the least, but I was met only with laughter. Mira Pálinkás clapped her hands in slow, exaggerated applause.
“Foolish child. I am no longer asking.” Ignatius rose from his seat in a menacing fashion. To Araceli, “Retrieve the prisoners.”
The councilwoman exited the room, her heeled shoes clicking ominously against the marble floor. She returned with two figures, bound and with covered heads.
Penetrating terror overtook me at the sight, chilling me to the bone. I prayed to the Goddesses that this was not happening, that their faces would be exposed, and I would not see my mother and sister.
“No…” I pleaded. I bit down on the inside of my cheek until I tasted blood, the only thing that stopped me from crying out as the figures were forced to their knees.
“Yes.” Araceli tore the hoods from their heads, and I was devastated to see my nightmares become reality.
Yvett and Adina Aranti cowered against the floor, leaning into each other for support. Their gazes found mine, and the relief on their faces was heartbreaking.
“Do you understand me now, boy?” Ignatius clasped my shoulder, painfully tight. “You will follow our orders, or we will slit their throats in front of you. The decision is yours. The girl or your family.”
Chapter sixty-two
Safiya
The palace was alight with activity. Guards paced through the halls, securing rooms and bracing windows. Council members and their assistants rushed about, gossamer and flowers and all manner of decorations bundled in their arms. The solstice had come upon them so quickly, and the final stand was almost here. They had known the timeline would be tight, but the reality was pure chaos.
Safiya did her best to stay out of the way. She watched the hustle and bustle with detached interest as she considered Ayla’s last words to her.
Go home, Safiya. Return to Kiaszta Naván and your family. There is nothing left for you here.
She pondered what she would do next. Going home to Kiaszta Naván was the easier option. Her family would welcome her with open arms, but she did not want to do what was easy. She wanted Ayla.
Ayla found her in front of her chambers, waiting cross-legged on the floor. She frowned down at Safiya as she approached. “Why are you here, Safiya?”
“This isn’t over for me.” She stood, determination lining her face.
“Well, it is over for me. Leave. I’ll provide a boat and the money to see you home, but that is all that I can give you.” Ayla pushed past her, skirts swelling as she dipped over the threshold.
