There was nothing either of us could say to the other which would cause our pain to go away. Thankfully, he understood as he raised my hand to press a kiss to my knuckles.
Luka followed suit, arriving only moments after my father. He met my gaze, and I gave him a subtle nod. Kalen and Renai were the last to appear, both decked in Helian armor to declare their official allegiance. Blue capes flowed behind them, contrasting the silver and gold of the armor.
It was clear they’d been arguing about something, the likes of which I did not know, but the stern look Kalen shot Renai told me it was nothing good. He seemed on edge. His posture was rigid, and his face looked as if it was carved from stone. Haunting shadows swirled behind his blue eyes, the type that came from seeing a ghost. While my father and Luka spoke amongst themselves, the raised whispers coming from behind me drew my attention.
“That’s so sweet, but I’m not yours to worry about. Drop the interrogation, Renai,” Kalen snapped. His voice was clipped, but Renai did not back down.
“You left my bed in the middle of the night. I thought you were dead, fucker. I thought something had happened to you and I–” her voice wavered, and she paused, catching herself before she completely bared herself to him. “Look, I was just worried, okay? Just tell me next time you decide to venture out by yourself.”
I heard a grunt of a response from Kalen, and Renai just sighed, but their argument was finished and they seemed to be stuck in their own defiance.
“Alright, everyone?” Luka began, “Eva, you and your father will go in first. Matthew and I will follow, and then Renai and Kalen will—”
I held up my hand in confusion. “I apologize, Luka. Why am I not walking in with my mate?” Matthew bowed his head, and Luka’s eyes widened, glancing at my father nervously.
“Well—” Luka began.
I cut him off. “Regardless of Matthew’s council standing, he will walk beside me. Thank you, Luka.”
His cheeks reddened, but he said nothing further as Matthew took his place beside me.
“I love you,” Matthew whispered. I gripped his arm tighter, dipping my head before straightening my posture and staring ahead.
The heavy door before us creaked as it opened wide. For the first time since I could remember, the council room was filled to the brim with people. Servants bustled back and forth, offering refreshments and clearing empty glasses. Conversation ceased as soon as they took us in. Ciena smiled over her goblet of wine, rolling her eyes at how some men gawked at us as we strode through the door.
The head of the table had been reserved for my father, and two seats on either side lay vacant. On the left, King Magnus and Queen Ciena had taken the nearer seats while Trystan sat on Ciena’s other side as Morheim’s advisor.
I realized it was odd as I stared at those four vacant seats. Only months ago, the bodies who filled them would have been different. Orion, Damien, Erina and I would’ve taken our places beside my father. It did not go unnoticed by others either, as the whispers began.
I took the seat immediately to my father’s right. Matthew took his place next to me. Kalen sat on the other side of Luka. He was stealing glances toward the end of the table, his brows furrowing and a scowl deepening.
“Thank you all for joining us today. The past week has been difficult,” my father said from the head of the table. I reached over and took his hand, squeezing it in my own as he continued. “I appreciate your patience and your condolences during this trying time.” His words were met with well-wished murmurs and nods.
As my father began his introduction, speaking about the importance of standing against corruption, I scanned the room. There hadn’t been a gathering of the rulers since the Great War, at least not one which included every kingdom. Some I knew better than others, namely those we had previous alliances with.
Looking down the line, I saw King Eamon Saveq of Druiston, his wife, Nerin, sitting by his side. Both were beautiful, with long, flowing hair that gave them an ethereal quality. Their gowns were made of the finest silk, perfectly capturing the deepest hues of the forest kingdom from whence they came. When we had entered, both of them gave a small wave to Renai and Luka, wearing pride on their faces.
My father hung his head for the briefest moment before looking out at the members surrounding the table. “I am sure many of you have heard the whispers circulating regarding the death of my daughter. In the interest of complete transparency, I will present the facts to the best of my ability.” He glanced at me, and I nodded. My stomach was in knots, and, though I knew this part was coming, it did not help.
“A fortnight ago, my daughter Erina was murdered by Lachlan Roarke in this very palace. It was found he had been masquerading as the crown’s advisor, Orion Carnell, since the time of his supposed death.” Shouts and cries of outrage and horror echoed throughout the room. “By the use of dark magic and compulsion, he had placed Damien Carnell under a spell and forced him to plunge a dagger into Erina’s heart. He also tortured my daughter, Eva, for months after their betrothal had been announced, and attempted to incriminate her true mate.”
I held my breath as the cries grew louder. Each ruler shouting over the other, firing questions down at our end of the table.
“How could you let this happen?”
“How did you not know?”
“This is bullshit!”
“Those poor girls…”
“You’ve doomed us all!”
My father took every word and insult they threw his way, never blinking or flinching from them. Instead, he stood tall and let them cut him with their cruelty. I could not take it any longer. Matthew shot me a warning glance, but I looked at my father’s haggard face and would not allow this.
I slammed my hands on the table and stood, my chair falling back behind me. “Enough!” I yelled. Every eye in the room widened, honing in on me. Until they had been in our place, they could not begin to understand the depth of our despair. Putting our absolute trust in someone had turned out to be our greatest weakness.
“Eva, it’s quite all right—”
