We finally made it into the room; I took an empty seat opposite Ava and her king. Of course her stalker of a brother took the seat nearest to me.
He might keep me on a short leash, but before long I’d be the one pulling him by the collar.
With my witchcraft, I could temporarily trap him in a crystal prison of my making. I spent years crafting that spell. It would be of such good use nowadays if only I weren't risking bleeding out anytime I tried to use my powers.
No. I just had to make my revenge worthwhile once I recovered. By then, I’d probably be queen too.
Wait. Shit. Would it be an act of war then? I didn’t want politics involved. Fuck. I needed to recover before I was crowned.
But even then, how the fuck were you supposed to fight someone when you didn’t know where they lived? Someone who could appear out of nowhere whenever they pleased?
Life was tough. But when I had my mind set on something, I was tougher.
The Elder from last time walked in, his eyes immediately landing on Ava, and I wondered what his sick obsession with her was. She was way too fucking young for the sick old bastard. The weird cape of his made him look like he wore a gown too. And it didn’t even fit him properly.
Bunch of weirdos. The whole Council was strange and involved themselves way too much. Perhaps I would restrict their involvement in Ortensia after I took over. It would obviously come with financial sanctions, but we had a stable economy. We could probably pull it off.
‘I gather you have decided on the matter of the future of Ortensia,’ he said, raising his clasped hands in thanks to the Gods.
What an obnoxious prick.
‘So, what is it?’ he asked when we all watched his little theatrics in silence.
‘The throne belongs to Willow, Elder Ramonds,’ Ava said with confidence, and for a moment something akin to disappointment flashed on the Elder’s face.
Alec took a sharp breath through his nose next to me, catching his attention. And everybody else’s in the room.
‘Very well.’ Raymond’s fake enthusiasm disgusted me. ‘I believe you are aware that the privilege of ruling a kingdom as vast and populous as Ortensia comes with certain prerequisites.’
‘Try to get to the point, Councillor,’ I replied, fighting back a yawn.
He obviously took offence, his cheeks turning pink as he gasped. ‘Given your lack of preparations for the role, you will need to enrol in classes of ethics, strategy, and economy. It has been arranged for one of you at the Sycamore University.’
Gods fucking damn it. ‘For how long?’
‘Since this is a time-critical matter, we’ve arranged an expedited training programme that will take only a couple of weeks. Only then will you have your coronation.’
I smiled. ‘Let me guess, until then, Ortensia stays under council’s thumb?’
‘Who else could lead your people responsibly?’ he raised his voice.
The way he lost his cool so easily was almost funny. ‘When do I start?’
‘Tomorrow. You may stay in the halls, where you will be given a private room or commute daily according to your preference.’
Ava’s raised eyebrow could very well have a voice of its own, screaming at me to be smart and choose the safer option. I hated when she was right. ‘I will commute.’
‘Very well. Then I will get back to my busy schedule and allow you to get back to… whatever it is that you do,’ he said, getting up and leaving.
I was going back to school.
Brilliant.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Avari
The portal room in the War Academy was empty. Not a soul in sight. Thank the Gods, I didn’t have to teach anyone decency or manners today. Not that I wouldn't; for the first time in a while, I woke up well-rested and ready for the day ahead.
