I wanted that for my descendants, too. I wanted them to be free of the judgements and chains that our world so often fastened upon us.
I just didn’t know how much we’d have to sacrifice—- or who— in order to bring about a better tomorrow.
After my visitto the griffin village, I headed to the ice rink, to get one last practice in before the European Championships. I’d be leaving for Russia in a few days to compete, and I wanted to be at the top of my game. I got on the ice with a clear head, and practiced my jumps and spins with precision. I really wanted to place at championships, and if I wanted to get on the podium, my program had to be perfect.
Halfway through my practice, Gabby got on the ice. It was unusual for us to share practices anymore, as Lady Magdalina had separated us, but both of us were trying to fit in every session we could get before the championships. I ignored her and remained calm as I rehearsed my footwork, but soon, her practice became too loud for me to ignore.
Gabby was falling on all of her jumps. She made noises of frustration and kicked at the ice. I don’t think she’d landed a single triple the entire session. A couple of times, she ran into the boards, and I heard her let out swear words that echoed around the rink.
Eventually, she grew so distracting that I decided it would be better to cut my session short. I got off the ice, gratified I’d had a solid practice. Gabby’s glare as I left felt like lasers on my back. I went to the locker room to change, satisfied that my final practice before the European Championships had been strong.
When I left the locker room, I heard sobs from around the corner. I slowed my steps. I had the thought to pass the person by, but instead, I hesitated.
I heard Elijah’s voice. “I know it’s hard. I’m sorry.”
I’d never heard the bastard apologize in his life, but what came next shocked me even more. “I can’t do this anymore,” Gabby whimpered. “I’m so tired, Eli.”
I froze. Was Gabbycrying? I pressed myself closer to the wall, to hear them more clearly.
“Remember what we talked about,” Elijah said. It sounded like he was rubbing her arms. “After this, you’re done. You should make your exit from skating as grand as it can be. Enjoy your last run.”
“It’s not easy withherin the way,” Gabby spat.
“You won the Malovian Championships. You can win again.”
“It’s not enough. I want more,” Gabby protested.
“Gabriella, we discussed this. The pressure to skate and be queen is too much. You’re falling apart. You can’t have both.”
Was Gabby quitting skating after she competed in the European Championships? No wonder she was so devastated. A pit of sadness formed in my stomach, and I realized… I feltsorryfor her.
“It’s not fair,” Gabby said. “I don’t want to let it go.”
The longing in her voice was clear. Skating was something she loved to do. It was killing her to say goodbye. I put a hand to my heart, hardly able to fathom such a loss. If I couldn’t skate anymore, I think it would destroy me.
“I understand, but I gave up hockey. Not just for the crown, but for you,” Elijah said. “We can’t be pro athletes and govern a country. We promised each other. Sometimes we have to let go of our dreams to make new ones.”
“It’s not just that,” Gabby sobbed. “My period came today, and I—”
“We’re trying.” Elijah cut her off. Their clothes ruffled, as if he was bringing her into a hug. “We’re doing all we can.”
“We’vebeentrying,” Gabby snarled. “Nothing is working!”
“In due time. It looks better if it’s after the wedding, anyway.”
“We don’t have time,” Gabby insisted.
“We can’t move the wedding up any faster than what it already is,” Elijah said gently. “To do so would make us look weak. We’ve already rescheduled for the spring. Proper royal wedding protocol isn’t to wed until the winter months. We’re already raising suspicion by going against tradition.”
“Fuck the protocol. We can’t wait that long to conceive an heir.”
“We won’t. I promise.”
I heard Gabby sniffle again, and Elijah said, “Come, my queen. I think it’s time I get you into a warm bath.”
Footsteps sounded down the hallway. I waited until I heard them no longer, then grabbed my bag and ran out of the rink. I kept running, all the way back to the university and up the stairs to the dormitories.
All the while, my thoughts were racing. Sometimes, I wondered if Elijah and Gabby had hooked up because they were fated mates, or because they both wanted power.
