I bit the inside of my cheek to hold my temper back, though it wasn’t working. “And Cameron is? He’s named after my grandfather.”
Cameron guffawed, as if incredibly offended. “It seems I cannot escape that man’s shadow no matter what I do, but he’s no longer in charge around here. I am, and if I want the whole world to know about this child, then it shall be so!”
“The Holy Mother gave this command, so you will respect Ava’s wishes.” I made sure to imply, or else.
Cameron stomped his foot. “I’ll do no such thing. Announcing the heir is how it’s done.”
“You do that, and you put him at risk. If the Warden finds out about him, he’ll come after this baby for the simple reason that he’s Ava’s son. You need to keep your big mouth shut.”
Cameron sulked. “Fine, I guess I see the wisdom in that. After all, this is my grandson. Even so, I must approve of the next heir.”
“Funny you start caring about family when it benefits you,” I sneered.
Cameron snorted. “You always think the worst of me, Charlie.”
“Yeah, I do, because you’ve proven that being horrible is all you’re capable of,” I spat. “I know your balls are being held in the royal vault. You can’t make another heir, so you’re trying to take mine. What did you do that was so bad that my grandfather had to castrate you for it?”
“Whatever I did is none of your business, seeing as you won’t be taking the throne,” Cameron hissed. “The only reason I didn’t take your balls is because I needed you to produce an heir. You’ve done that, so now you are of no more use to me. Expect to find another pair of royal jewels in the vault by tomorrow evening. Then we’ll see what you have to say!”
“You can’t have him. He’s not yours to control!”
“He’ll be whatever I require him to be!” Cameron blustered. “You will have no say in it!”
“I’m saying you can’t have him because the law won’t let you,” I snapped. “Casey’s a naderei, and by law, prophets can’t ascend to the throne.”
“I am the law!” Cameron bellowed. “I’ll change whatever rules I must to secure our future!”
“Charlie isn’t talking about Elvish law,” Maddie cut in. “This is supernatural law. The magic in this child’s body will not let him claim any empire, throne, or kingdom. He may keep his title as prince, but that is as far as the magic will allow him to go. His purpose is to warn the people of this world, not rule over them.”
“I don’t believe he’s a prophet,” Cameron argued. “It’s a lie you made up to keep my grandson from me!”
“You’ll know he is one the moment you walk into that room, but I’ll never let you get close,” I snarled. “By the laws of his magic, prophets are forbidden to rule, and I don’t want him to have anything to do with this monarchy, anyway. All it does is ruin people.”
Cameron sniffed. “Fine. If he can’t become Emperor, then perhaps his visions will be useful?—”
“If you think you can use his powers for your own gain, you’re wrong. You’re not going to dictate my baby’s life or have a say in how my son is raised, and you certainly aren’t going to get any visions out of him!” I roared. “This boy is a child. You’ll leave him alone, or so help me, I’ll make sure you regret every waking moment of your life!”
Cameron guffawed. “I shouldn’t be surprised you managed to fail me spectacularly once again. If the boy is truly a naderei, he’s useless to me. Your balls have managed to fashion an improper heir, so you can keep them, and your life— for now. You cannot even fuck a princess properly to make a suitable heir, so once she’s fertile again, you can use that cock you love to wave around so much and stick it in her, so you can produce another grandson that’s not as disappointing as this one?—”
My fist cracked across my father’s jaw, and Cameron went flying to the floor. I’d failed to hit him before this moment, but what he’d let fly out of his mouth was my breaking point.
Punching the Emperor was an offense punishable by death, but no one in the hospital moved to arrest me. I knew there had to be guards all around the area who were watching the scene, but hardly a soul moved to take action. Everyone just stood there and let it happen.
Nobody respected Cameron’s power anymore, and if the Elvish court had dissolved into a wild mess where anything was permissible, I was taking advantage and making sure my son was safe from my old man.
“Ava’s not some whore meant to do nothing but give birth to Elvish babies,” I raged. “Her shield is the only thing keeping all of us alive, and the sole reason you’re not sucking the Warden’s cock right now. You talk about her like that again, I’ll fucking kill you. Leave.”
Cameron scrambled to get off the floor, fumbling for the exit. I pinched the bridge of my nose.
I was so tired.
Oberi was growling his approval. About time you put him in his place. Imagine the hilarity that would ensue if Cameron attempted to castrate you! Ava would raze this palace to the ground for daring to try.
There was no doubt about that. Ava had gone feral over Cameron taking my finger. Married, divorced, or otherwise, I was certain Ava still considered that part of my body hers. She’d crumble every structure in this place before she allowed Cameron to go forward with his ballsy threat.
Marcus approached cautiously. “You okay, man?”
“No,” I answered honestly. “I mean, this morning we lost the keys, and now I have a kid I wasn’t prepared for, with a wife that’s made it clear she’s leaving me.”
