“Because they believed their solidity was superior. They didn't want to share power and control with others,” she explains, and Hugo sighs.
“What they haven't learned yet is that we benefit from working together.”
A hum of agreement cascades across the room at my brother’s words.
“The war is beyond our borders,” Viola explains.
“And what do The Fates have to say about it?” Silas asks.
“They don't say anything,” Viola admits with a shrug, making my eyebrows pull together in confusion.
“So, if we operate under The Fates without a leader like the other kingdoms, who makes the decisions?” I blurt, earning a soft smile from my brother.
“Us.”
“And if The Fates don't like it?” I ask.
“They make it known,” Baron answers, clenching my hand tighter.
“How?” Bonnie chimes in, and I bite back the desire to roll my eyes.
The silence that takes over the room this time isn't as daunting, though it lingers, as if there’s still much to discuss but not enough answers. There’s a need to formulate a plan for our next move, until Hugo clears his throat.
“Any further information on Leonardo?”
My heart almost stills at the mention of the man in question, but my stomach dips when Viola shakes her head.
“He's made his presence back in the Second Kingdom very well-known, but there haven't been any further concerns.”
“I think we already have enough concerns, don't you?” Teddy states. “Surrounding Ivy,” he clarifies, earning a scoff from across the room, and I can guess which one of the two girls it came from.
“Yes, but I'm more curious about her parents than him right now,” Viola explains, and my spine snaps ramrod straight. She brushes her tongue along her bottom lip as she stands, curling her hand around the back of the chair in front of her. “Because they have the ability to get close to you, whether we like it or not.”
I appreciate the truth from her, but it doesn't change where I stand.
“I don't want anything to do with them, nor will I tolerate having anything to do with them,” I state, glancing at my brother, who shrugs.
“That won't stop them from trying.” I hate the words from Hugo’s mouth, especially because it's from him, and I know he would not withhold information that involved my safety.
Although, if I recall how I came to be here to begin with, I don’t know how confident I feel in that assumption.
“And there have been no sightings at all?” I clarify, and my brother shakes his head.
“There have been no sightings of our father since the outpost. We believe he may be with Leonardo, but it's only an assumption. There's nothing solid there.”
I hate having a personal conversation with an audience, but the second this all unraveled it seems to have become everyone’s business.
“And mother?” I ask, my skin tingling at my temples as I await an answer.
“Her last sighting was at the ball before the power outage. No one has seen her since.”
Stomach churning, I startle at the overwhelming anxiety that takes root, threatening to crumble me from the inside.
I dip my head, deep in thought, as Sax takes control of the conversation.
“What was the other matter to discuss?” he asks, but I can still feel far too many eyes staring at me.
“We should delve into the abilities Ivy has first,” Viola declares, and my brother grunts.
