Lucan interrupted my stuttering. “What wedoknow is that as the Goddess of the Mind, Blythe is the most powerful deity. You hold a fragment of her power within your jewels. Even though we don't know what that power is, we can assume that you will be more powerful than any other gifted mortal in this kingdom, or even this world,” he said in one long breath.
King Hawthorne rejoined the conversation, just to wreck me even more. “We have no way of knowing what you may be capable of. But regardless, you are now the greatest asset Caelestis holds, and you will be protected at all costs.”
Every word the two of them said crushed me more andmore. The reality of my situation set in, and I stumbled back as fear swallowed me in one harsh gulp. I began to shake furiously, my whole figure quaking under the pressure that was just placed upon me.
The king did not remove his eyes from me as he rambled on—something about my safety and his son. But my brain screamed, rattling against my skull and causing my ears to ring so loudly that I couldn't make out what he was even saying.
I threw my arms around myself as I glanced around the room. The king's soldiers were watching us—I had forgotten they were there until my eyes met a set of deep blue ones. The soldier didn't look away like he had before, and for some reason unbeknownst to me, the subtle familiarity of his gaze helped me to gather myself.
I took a deep breath, cherishing it in my lungs before fanning it out. A small sense of ease washed over me. Not a lot. But enough for me to snap back to reality.
I dropped my arms and my gaze, refocusing on King Hawthorne, who stood still as he waited for me to contribute to the discussion. My mouth clenched shut when I discovered the expression of smugness set proudly on his face.
He almost lookedexcited. Excited thatmypower would benefithim.
That pissed me the fuck off.
My body stiffened as my panic turned to anger and I blurted out a statement that everyone in the room would find downright disgraceful. “You have got to be fucking kidding me!” I yelled, not an ounce of shame in my bones for my language directed at our kingdom's ruler.
Gasps emitted from some of the soldiers.
Lucan's jaw clamped shut.
The king's eyes widened, then narrowed into a scowl at me.
I found some courage and stepped back towards himbefore anyone could respond. “Let me get this straight. I was gifted by the one goddess who hasn't even acknowledged mortals in what? Thousands of years?” I paused to breathe. “Sonot onlyam I damned to a fate like theirs—” I pointed towards the soldiers. “Now I’m yourgreatest asset,too? For the love of the gods.” I rolled my eyes.
The irony of my situation was astounding.
And hilarious.
What were the damn odds?
The surprise in the king's face, mixed with the actuality of literallyeverything, drew an unexpected reaction from me. Within seconds I was beside myself, laughing so hard and heavy that my stomach ached. I grasped at my sides, my fingers tangling in my shirt as I fell into a fit of hysterics.
“It's just…just—” I tried to form words.
It wasn't really funny, but I had so many emotions swirling within me that needed to escape. I had promised myself that I wouldn't cry today, so this was my only outlet.
I peeked around the room, observing everyone’s reactions to my certainly unexpected reaction. Lucan’s bulky glasses didn't hide the way his eyes filled with concern—no doubt for my mental status. The woman soldier's mouth was agape—likely in plain shock that I would speak to King Hawthorne in that manner. The scorching hot soldier had an eyebrow raised and almost looked amused as he fought back a smirk. The rest of the soldiers managed to keep a straight face, indicating their successful training. Lastly, King Hawthorne just looked absolutely bewildered.
I didn't care. Not about any of them—any of it. I hunched over at the waist and my breath warmed the hand that I slapped over my mouth.
“I didn't want this.” I laughed into my palm before dropping my arm. I let out a wild gasp of air and pushed off of my knees to stand up, putting myself face to face with King Hawthorne’s incrediblydispleased expression.
My hands held my cheeks as I looked up at the glorious ceiling above me, shaking my head. “I didn't want this," I repeated in a sigh.
Dropping my head, I lost control once more, but in a whole other sense. “I don't wantanyof this!” I screamed, throwing my arms around in a vague gesture.
My vision narrowed to the floor beneath me as my knees weakened and I crumbled under my weight. The room around me faded as I blocked everyone out and stuffed my head into my hands.
I don't want this.
I finally granted my eyes permission to swell with real tears, and they flowed out of me like rapids after a storm. My body shook with my sobs and I refused to pull my head from my hands. It was too heavy. I would stay here as long as needed. I would rot here in this glorious room if I had to.
I didn't look up when King Hawthorne cleared his throat and excused himself, or when I heard the footsteps of the soldiers filing out after him. I didn't look up when I felt Lucan's hand pat the small of my back, rubbing once in comfort, or when he assured me it would be okay.
Only when my eyes were so puffy that they burned and I was confident that I had been left alone, did I raise my head from my hands. I rolled my stiff neck and looked around, only to find a dark haired soldier sitting in the throne, staring at me.
