Chapter Nine
Ethan
The assassination attempt on Emma’s mother was a planned attack— by myownmother, no less.
I had never felt more ashamed of where I had come from. My mother had slaughtered countless people to keep her power, and she had threatened to hurt my mate before. Still, even I couldn’t believe she had been so heartless, killing innocent people to try and weaken Emma’s rule.
As I had learned during my trial for my crimes as the Phantom, she wasn’t my mother anymore. She was a cruel and heartless former queen who wanted her power back and no longer considered me her son. She had joined up with Gabby in an attempt to restore her honor and slaughter me.
I was still furious at Emma for summoning her spriggan, and risking her life in an attempt to stop my mother’s crusade of terror. And yet, I couldn’t be too angry. Emma had nearly died twice in the past two days, all because of my mother’s doing. Such events couldn’t be allowed to happen again, and therefore, I was determined to stop my mother from whatever I knew she had planned.
As gut-wrenching as the decision was, I knew once we found her, we had to end her. Queen Antonia’s life had to be taken, if Emma was to live and we were to stay on the throne. Another attack couldn’t be allowed to happen. When we found where my mother was hiding, I could not afford to show mercy.
I had given Towman yet another raise. He had saved my mate’s life twice now in a matter of less than six months, and with how courageous— and I’ll admit, foolhardy— Emma could be, I expected the danger to only increase on his behalf to keep her safe.
I was finishing up my day by listening to the requests of the people when General Bani entered the throne room.
He bowed quickly, and the peasants cleared out of the room before he said, “Sire, I regret to inform you that Gabriella has moved a portion of her forces toward Dolinska, into a small village outside the city called Pruska. They have overtaken the village, and taken hostages.”
“How did they get past our battalions?” I demanded. We’d surrounded the fortress. This made no sense.
“We aren’t sure, sire,” Bani replied. “No troops saw her or her soldiers leaving the fortress. Portals, perhaps, are our only guess, though it’d be difficult to transport that many warriors at one time, even with multiple sorceresses casting portals. The magic doesn’t add up.”
“What about secret passageways?” I asked.
“Perhaps, but so far, our spies haven’t located any,” he replied.
Fear struck my heart, but Emma urged the conversation onward. “How many soldiers did she send?”
“Some several hundred soldiers are living within Pruska’s walls, only ten miles from the city,” General Bani replied. “Many are shifters, but some are sorceresses, though our spies witnessed multiple fae who are not part of her army entering into the city unharmed.”
“She’s trying to get a stronghold for Black Claw enforcers,” Emma said. “She must not have any room for them at the fortress.”
“Which means her forces are growing larger,” General Bani confirmed grimly. “My king, what would you like us to do?”
I mused for a moment, before I replied, “We are responsible for those villagers. We cannot allow her to gain a foothold so close to the city, one that will house dangerous cultits. Send troops to counter her attack. We must regain control of that town.”
General Bani nodded, then left the room. Emma glanced at me and said, “I thought Gabby wasn’t planning on making a move until she delivers her child.”
“She’s trying to gain as much land as possible before she mounts a large counter attack,” I told her. “If her forces are divided, it’ll make it that much harder for us to stomp out her army. It’s clever she doesn’t have them all in one place.”
“We can’t force all of them to surrender if we have to split up our own army to counter them,” Emma replied with a sigh, rubbing her temple.
“Which is why we must do our best to contain them. We need to force as many of her soldiers back into her fortress as soon as possible, so we can eliminate them all at once when it’s time.”
I stood, then offered my hand to her. We left the council room, only to bump into Jasper on the way out.
“Oof! Sorry, Jasper,” Emma said. I had to grab her arm to steady her as she rammed into Jasper. He’d been standing awfully close to the door.
“There’s no need to apologize to me. You’re a queen now,” Jasper said, with a small smile. “Clumsy me for getting in your way.”
“You look tired,” Emma commented. Jasper had large bags underneath his eyes.
“I am. Just got back from the rink. Early five a.m. practice,” he explained. “Got to get ready for the Olympics and all.”
“We just had another boring council meeting. I’d love to switch you places,” Emma grumbled.
Jasper gave a short laugh before saying, “So would I. Having that much power would be incredible. I really am grateful for what you two did for Ozzie and me.”
