The Elder paused, tapping his shoe repeatedly before seemingly letting it go. ‘There are pressing matters I need to discuss with Princess Avari, especially if you are planning to go after your mother.’
The cold knot twisted tighter in my stomach. The moment my hands started to shake, I shoved them deep into my pockets to hide it.
We walked back to the conference room in silence. Even our footsteps sounded too loud. The short journey stretched with charged glances between my father and the Elder, as well as Alec and River, whose eyes kept returning to me while I pretended not to notice. I knew they had a history, but I doubted River would jeopardise his relationship with me even further by reporting them to the Committee. But who had done it?
‘What is it that you wanted to talk about?’ I asked the second we sat down, unwilling to wait any longer.
The man scanned the small crowd before settling his gaze on me. A frown creased his brow. ‘Perhaps we should speak alone.’
‘Perhaps not,’ River said, his voice leaving little room for argument as he slouched enough for half his body to shield mine from the councillor’s view. ‘Say what you wanted to say.’
Should I be angry at him for interrupting or grateful that he didn’t let the Elder pressure me? Conflict brewed deep within me, erupting in the form of a steamy sigh as my flames fought against me, just as they always did when I kept them away from him.
‘I agree,’ I said quickly, trying to push past River and digging my nails into his thigh when he wouldn’t relent. ‘Might as well save the time since I will share whatever you tell me anyway. ’
‘Very well.’ The Elder cleared his throat and unbuttoned his cloak. ‘I’ve known your mother ever since she was a child. You could say she hasn’t changed much, really; she had a proclivity for conflicts even then.’
‘Okay? Did you come to tell me she’s always been a shitty person?’
‘Not quite.’ He huffed, clearly displeased with my tone. ‘Are you familiar with the blood-witch war?’
The mention sent blood rushing through my veins. ‘Of course I am familiar with the war.’
Tightening the grip on whatever he held in his hand, the councillor pressed, ‘And do you believe that all blood witches had been successfully banished?’
My vision darkened. He knew. The Elders knew and did nothing to stop her. ‘Are you suggesting my mother is one?’
‘I am not suggesting, I am telling,’ he blurted without remorse.
Useless bunch of entitled fools. This only reinforced my belief that the Council was useless. They imposed their will and crippled lands with theirlesser evilapproach for decades, if not hundreds of years. The blame for the current state of our realm was partially theirs; they just wouldn’t admit it.
‘So this whole time you knew and did nothing?’
Assessing the hardened lines of my face, the Elder bristled once more. ‘I’m afraid the matter isn’t so simple, princess. There are aspects you don’t know of and that I can't share. But the Committee agreed that the queen is becoming increasingly dangerous. She needs to be stopped.’
Of course, they would try to pawn the responsibility off to somebody else. ‘Then why aren’t you stopping her? Isn’t it your job?’
Eyes narrowing, the man snarled, ‘Our job is to govern the realm and ensure we survive, not join wars.’
River snarled back, barely containing his flames. I shot him a warning glare. I could handle this man on my own.
‘You expect it to turn into a war?’ I asked once the temperature dissipated.
‘Don’t you?’
Could he be any more cryptic? I needed straight answers and simple explanations. My patience was thinning. I rubbed my sore eyes and prayed that this wouldn’t take long to finish. ‘Did you come to warn me or help?’
‘Are you always this straightforward? Some councillors wouldn’t appreciate it…’ he countered, his intense gaze raising goosebumps along my skin.
Hypocrite. All of them were. Had they forgotten the time I begged for their help? They ignored my pleas, and now they expected my help?
‘And I don’t appreciate most of the councillors,’ I hissed as River patted my knee and I shoved his hand away.
‘That makes two of us.’ The Elder’s candour startled me, and I didn't know how to respond. ‘Difficult feelings aside, your mother remains a threat and could be growing stronger by the day. If she isn’t stopped soon, the realms will pay the price.’
He paused. ‘Which brings me to the Crones. Have you heard of them?’
Everybody had heard of the Crones. We exchanged confused looks until Miriam spoke up, ‘They’re creatures of legends. Witches with deeper connections to the source.’
