Evander peeks out of the stable doors, checking both ways before he motions for us to head back. “Let’s just keep our theories to ourselves for now,” he mumbles.
The path is muddy and dotted with puddles as we trek back to the Great Hall. The fields of poppies have been shredded, their petals strewn about on the path. The scene is heartbreaking, and my eyes burn, taking in the desecration of the once resplendent land as we continue to slip and slide our way up the path.
My boots are caked in mud, making the trek even more treacherous as I try to stay upright. Water rushes down the steps out of the throne room, down through the terrace, and creates a waterfall to the gardens below. The water cascading over the edge violently drowns the flowers.
“Whoa,” I breathe as we carefully make our way across the rushing stream and into the throne room. People are still huddled together under the covered portions of the roof.
They stare up into the open air in the middle, and a mix of fear and relief swirls around the room.
Odessa’s eyes pin me the moment I enter the throne room, and she walks to the center of the room, her arms outstretched before her.
“Our heir has returned, and the storm has subsided.There is nothing to fear.” Her voice resonates around the throne room.
If I hadn’t witnessed the howling and spectral wolves myself, I would almost believe the authority ringing in her voice. But now I fear that she might be delusional.How would the decline of magic cause something so large and powerful?I school my features and head to her side.
“Come, my dear, let us speak in private,” she whispers. She locks our arms together and leads us from the hall. “If you couldgive us a moment,” she throws over her shoulder as Lachlan and Evander move to follow us.
They halt, their eyes flicking to me in question, but I subtly nod my head. We don’t want to seem like we’re undermining her authority already.
We make our way from the throne room to the council room, and I whisper to Odessa, “Was that normal?”
She shrugs, not looking at me. “The Gods must have been angry that your blood was spilled, but I have rectified the situation,” she responds, leading me into the council chamber and shutting the door behind us.
Odessa thinks all of this was because Julius punched me?
I study her as she rests her forehead on the door briefly before spinning to face me. She seems like she’s struggling under the weight of her position, and I suddenly find myself feeling sorry for her.
“There was an incident after you fled the grounds,” she begins, but I cut her off, her words making my hackles rise, and my sympathy vanishes.
“I did notflee,” I reply, crossing my arms over my chest. Her mate threw a sucker punch at me, and she’s trying to twist the story in her favor? She rolls her eyes but sighs as she continues, “Someone ransacked your room, but it was obvious they were looking for something.” She walks around the table, her eyes on the paintings behind me. “I’d like to take precautions and establish a hand-selected private guard.”
There’s something about her demeanor, the maneuvering, that puts me on edge. I want to turn and point at the painting of the Wild Hunt, but I refrain. But her words have my stomach sinking. She wants to have me followed.
A guard would hinder any future movements or conversations about an upcoming war I would need to have, and‘hand-selected’, undoubtedly by her hand, would mean the guards would report to her.
I feign confusion. “Surely the culprit realized I have nothing of importance here, and that’s the end of that. I don’t think a guard would be necessary.”
Odessa looks shocked at my refusal. “Are you saying you don’t see a need for a guard?”
I shrug my shoulders as I walk to stand in front of her. “I am safe here, Aunt, so no. I don’t need a guard.”
I force a smile.I’ll play this game.She returns the smile, accepting my submissive attitude quickly and seemingly enjoying it.
“Well then, that settles that,” she replies, gently stroking my cheek. “I’m relieved to see your nose has healed nicely.”
My eyes hold hers. “Ack, no big deal. Accidents happen, right?” I shrug.
“More than you realize,” she murmurs softly as she heads to the door. “Shall we?” she says a bit louder, leading us out of the room.
Something between us has shifted. I’ve just entered a game I don’t know the rules to.
Even though she is my blood, I think I’ve finally realized that maybe we aren’t actually family.
20
TIDE CHANGES
Mathilda’s arms flex as she heaves the armoire upright, and Mina crouches to pick up the splinters of wood from the door.
