Page 124 of Hero of Havoc

“I say you just accept Leonardo’s offer and go to the Second Kingdom so we can be rid of you,” Francesca states, and I sneer.

“Only if you stand to represent the Fifth Kingdom,” I snap.

“Do any of you even know what it entails to be one of the Kingdom Champions?” Professor Carbon interjects, and I shake my head.

“No, because like many pieces of information, that has yet to be shared,” I bite, throwing my arms out at my sides.

“Ivy—” Professor Viola starts, and I shake my head.

“With all due respect, you are not going to provide information that is important to what we're dealing with right now. So unless you’re going to surprise me, I don't want to hear it. Unfortunately, you are not the one dealing with the direct consequences of this mess. Yet you continue to be the one to make the decisions, even though you’re not in the crosshairs; having these experiences that I'm battling.” Desperation clings to me as the entire room stares back and forth between us.

I’m making a spectacle of myself, but I need someone to listen.

“Ivy, a moment,” Hugo mutters, and I shake my head.

“I’ve had a moment, Hugo.”

“Please, VeeVee,” he murmurs, and I gulp as he nods toward the door.

Anybody else in the entire room and I’d stand my ground, but there’s something in his eyes that makes me relent.

Rising from my seat, I head toward my brother, who makes it to the door first. I can sense the uncertainty from my hated mates, but before I can glance at them, Viola’s voice cuts through the air.

“While you’re out there, maybe reconsider what it is you’re trying to bring to this table.”

I frown. “Trying to bring to the table? I'm not bringing much to the table. It's a simple question really. Instead of acting out of haste or immaturity, I’m bringing my predicament to the forefront because it will affect everyone. I’ve said it already, but I’ll say it again so you can have a chance to mull it over. Either I use the relic and accept Leonardo’s offer, or I meet with The Fates. You would assume that a meeting with The Fates would be far easier, since I'm a member of the Fifth Kingdom, open to the connection between all sodalities and following their rules,” I ramble, and my brother nods.

“I agree, but let's just take a moment,” Hugo confirms, amping my confidence as I reluctantly follow him out of the room.

He holds the door open for me, and I charge toward the far end of the hallway, my brother hot on my heels as I lean against the wall with my arms folded over my chest.

With my eyes narrowed, I set them on Hugo, who drags a hand down his face.

“You've been to the dragons,” he starts, and I gape at him.

“Is that what this is about?”

He shakes his head. “Ivy, I'm struggling to comprehend the fact that you've already been through what you've been through, and I don't even know all of it. I understand that. I understand the predicament you're in, and if they continue to not back you like this, I will understand wholeheartedly if you take the relic and accept what Leonardo Corrigan offers.”

“I don't want that,” I interject, and he nods.

“I know, but it is still understandable if you do take it. What you have to be mindful of is it's not just you anymore. What do you call them? Your hated mates? They are involved now too,” he states, and I sigh.

“I understand that this is always more than just me, which is why I didn't look at the relic to begin with, for them and for me.”

“It's hard when you have a different mindset from your mate,” he murmurs, and my heart stills in my chest.

“What do you mean?”

He shakes his head, leaning back against the wall beside me as he stares off into the distance. “Harmony was… everything,” he admits, stealing my breath. “She was courageous, kind, brave, and very strong-minded, too strong-minded. When she had an idea in her head, there was no swaying her from that.” He takes a moment, a ghost of a smile tracing his lips as if recalling a memory before he continues. “The night of the ball, where…” His words trail off, the ache palpable as I gulp.

“You don't have to talk about it, Hewy,” I murmur, and he heaves a sigh.

“It's okay.” He clears his throat to try again. “The night of the ball, we had agreed we weren't going to go. That was our way of making a statement, but she went anyway. Instead of meeting me for a picnic in the forest, as we discussed, she thought it would be a better idea to try and murder one of the leaders of the other kingdoms.”

“Why would she do that?” I blurt, grimacing at my outburst when I know that this woman is not with us anymore.

“Because, unfortunately for Harmony—and Silas—they come from a family within the Fifth Kingdom that believes in having just one sodality.” He shakes his head, the words like acid on his tongue as his face crinkles in distaste. “The family doesn't even belong to a single sodality, but… none of that mattered.”