They weren't going to win this battle. I would compel every single one of them before I let them make this decision for me. I needed to see if Beaumont was alive, and if he was, I was going to be the one to kill the prick.
Delani gripped my wrist, pulling me back down into my seat. “Maeve, I love you, I really do. But I don’t think you should go. You’re barely healed, and Kade has a point. What if someone sees you?”
With a huff, I folded my arms over my chest. “None of you will understand where I’m coming from, because none of you are the reason why all of this is happening. I am the reason Jocelyn is dead. The reason my mother is dead. The castle fell because of a battle that started over me. I’m the reason my father was locked away in this kingdom instead of being there to see my sister and me grow up.” My faltering vision dropped to the tabletop. “I need to know if he’s still out there. I need to see it with my own eyes.Please, don’t take that from me.”
“But, Maeve, your new power…We don't know what it entails.” Pia’s soft voice broke through the chaos in my mind, recentering me.
“I used it during the battle, and it worked out fine,” I stated, choosing to not disclose the part about how I was unsure if I actually controlled the power or just let it loose. “As Blythe said, it's the power to manipulate the stars.That'swhat my power entails. I’m sure I can handle it.”
“We just don’t want you to get hurt,” Pia continued, her face scrunching in remembrance. “Again.”
“I get that, I do. But please try to understand.” My eyes met my father’s with my final attempt of a plea. “I need to go.”
With a heavy chest, Archer blew out a drawn out breath. “You may go as far as the borders of Draemor’s castle. Do not enter the grounds. And should you discover that Cyprian Beaumont is alive, do not take it upon yourself to try and kill him. Return here, and we will devise a plan. Understand?”
I nodded. That was all I needed—for him to agree to let me go. What happened in Draemor, could stay in Draemor.
“Hold on a second.” Sebastian held a finger up. “Why doyouget the final say?” His deep browns furrowed in Archer's direction.
“Because she is my daughter, and I am the king here,” Archer established flatly with not so much of a stutter.
“No disrespect, but I followed this woman around for almost a year, so I’m pretty sure I know her better than you.” Sebastian’s eyes skimmed over me briefly before returning to my father. “She is not a rule follower. She is not going to stay at the borders. No chance in hell.”
My eyes saw the back of my skull as I waved Sebastian’s claim off. “Ignore him.”
“Uh,no. Donotignore me. If there is one thing I know for certain about this girl, it's that if you tell her to do something, chances are she will do the opposite,” Sebastian countered, pointing an accusatory finger at me.
My teeth gnawed at my lower lip to stop heated frustration from exploding out of me like a volcano.
“Dad,” I began sweetly—like how a little girl would speak to her father when she wanted a new doll, “I promise not to go past the borders. As I said, I just need to be there. I need to experience it for myself. I will lose my mind if I’m stuck here with the unknown while the others go.”
Archer glanced between the two of us a few times before settling his regard solely on me. “You may go.”
“Come on,” Sebastian grumbled under his breath while I fought a losing battle with my winning smirk.
“So it’s settled. Everyone takes a day or two to rest and acclimate, then we’ll go to Draemor. This meeting is adjourned.” Archer rose, thumping his fist on the table.
Chairs scraped across the floor as everyone began making their exit.
“Wait!” My sudden exclamation stopped everyone in their tracks. “During our travels, maybe we can pass through a few villages in Caelestis. See if there's any survivors?” Might as well kill two birds with one stone.
Kade shook his head. “I know you haven't seen Lumosia on a map yet, but Caelestis is way out of the way.”’
My lips curved downward.
Venay's voice was a much higher tone than I’d expected when she spoke for the first time. “I would be happy to take on that role,” she chimed with a cheerful smile.
“Really?” My eyes flared. “Thank you.”
“That’s very generous of you, but how will you know who you can trust to bring back?” Sebastian stepped forward to interrogate the woman, his tone making it clear that he was pissed I got my way.
“I am more than just a healer.” She smiled an excruciatingly, glorious smile while flaunting her bejeweled hand. “I am an enchanter.”
“And?” he added a slight scoff.
Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed—or couch, rather.
“I have ways of verifying the honesty of those I speak to,” Venay answered simply.
