ISAY
THE COURT HEARING DISBANDED, LEAVING ONLY THE HESSIANS behind. Once it was decided that our fate would be solely for the life fae to decide, the other courts took their leave.
My Elverstone grandfather didn’t even look at me or my mother as he turned his back on us. Nor did I didn’t see him again. The Felrothians were more than happy to flee after their loud shouts of denial were overturned and still went unpunished.
Nobody asked if King Rotten knew of Lord Terwyl’s actions. Nobody seemed to care if he’d been planning something even bigger than my abduction at all.
Prince Nefari stepped closer to me. We were facing each other for the first time ever, and he caught me off guard by reaching out, tugging up my chin with one hand and brushing hair out of my face with the other.
Karmuth beside me growled, but all my father did was take a closer look at my black eye. Actually, that was not completely true. Through the skin contact I felt a tug at my life force, similar to the one I felt during Devina’s reading.
I took a step back, and he dropped his hands.
“Apologies, Princess. I got curious.”
I didn’t reply, just stared at him in return with my one green, one black eye like a perfect abomination.
Karmuth released my hand only to place his around my back and pull me against his side. I wrapped my arms around him in return. He felt solid and comforting.
“We can restore your eye if you come to Hessia,” Prince Nefari said.
“When,” Devina corrected him. “When she comes to Hessia, not if.”
The prince gave me an apologetic smile. “Yes of course, Dev. I just hoped to not come out as imposing as you. You need to remember she grew up with Siya, after all.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” my mother asked, but she wasn’t angry. She was smiling. It didn’t do wonders to my already confused state. Rising from her throne, she came off the podium with arms wide open. “Devina, how great to see you. How long has it been?”
The mean fae hugged my mother like they were the best of friends even though I’d never heard a word about her.
“I’m sorry about the theatrics, Siya, but we really cannot afford the dispute no matter how much I’d like to see King Rothian burn.” She didn’t sound mean any longer. Even the tone of her voice had changed.
“I am not the one you need to apologise to, Dev,” my mother said after they’d released each other. Dev. She’d called her the same nickname Prince Nefari had.
Devina looked to Grath, who had not stood up from his throne yet and did not look pleased in the slightest with any of what had gone down during the council meeting. Welcome to the club, stepdad. Welcome to the freaking club.
“Him?” Devina asked. “You can’t be serious.”
My mother tilted her head, then shook her head. “No, silly, I meant Isay. I know you well enough to not ask you to get along with Vindicans.”
There it was. She knew her well. “Would someone please tell me what is going on?”
Devina turned to face me. “Hey, kiddo. I don’t really despise your mother. We were good friends actually before she swooped in and seduced my affianced. There’s no bad blood, yeah?”
“Kiddo?” I gawked at her. “No bad blood?” I repeated like the broken record I was. However, no other witty response came to me. None whatsoever.
“I don’t think Isay found your apology sincere enough.” My father smiled. His voice was soothing, and my stomach squeezed in nostalgia that I had no business feeling.
If he thought I found his comments any better, he was wrong. I didn’t. I preferred someone to start talking about the things I was concerned about. Like going to Hessia. Not that I minded a sightseeing tour in one of the realm’s best kept territories, it just didn’t sound like a holiday, and I didn’t have an option to refuse. Someone better get to it soon.
“Beautiful,” Karmuth murmured into my hair, “your emotions are going haywire. Breathe.”
I took a deep breath as he instructed, then worked on closing the bond like he’d done on me earlier this morning.
“No, don’t shut me out,” Karmuth chided with a comforting smile. “Please. Just keep breathing.”
Chewing at my lip I stopped the effort, feeling vulnerable with him feeling my anxiety now that he’d pointed it out.
“I’m sure the explanation will come shortly.” His breath caressed my cheek. The more I focussed on him, the easier it was to breathe.
“Thank you,” I whispered back.
“Nefari, we need to talk about you whisking my daughter away,” I heard my mother say and pulled myself out of the comfortable cocoon Karmuth had managed to sink me into. “As much as I appreciate the sudden interest, I’ve managed to raise her all on my own so far and will continue to do so without your interference.”
So formal. She sounded like she was issuing a decree of sorts, not talking to the man that had something to do with my conceivement. Was she purposely remaining unattached?
“Siya, dear, have you seen her eye?” Prince Nefari shook his head. “We can help and will do so. She is my daughter too, and she has no clue what to do with the power within her. She needs to be taught.”
Mother scoffed, “Where were you the past nineteen years? Do not tell me what Isay needs. You do not know her.”
“I am deserving of your wrath, but you cannot possibly think that staying here is better for her. I promise I will keep her safe. The Felrothians do not dare to breach Hessia. The warrior will be with her, too. I assure you, she’ll be well taken care of.”
“What changed?” my mother asked. “You wouldn’t be offering it if Neprion hadn’t approved it. So what changed? You came in scheme to fool the courts. You intended to take her from me before you even walked in.”
Nefari sighed. “You are right. We did.”
“Then explain,” my mother pressed.
“We’re unable to produce an heir.” Complete silence. Then a sigh. “My father is old and wary. He will not rest until our bloodline is secured. Only, we’ve had no success.”
