I nodded.
“That’s not enough. Say it. Say you understand because this broadcast is going out toeveryone. All of Tennebris and Lux will be watching today, and I need to hear that you won’t disobey me.”
“I understand.” I gritted my teeth.
“Good.” He smiled. The back of his knuckles grazed my bare arms. “I crave obedience. There is something so satisfying about it, but I don’t like leaving things to chance. I still can’t comprehend how or why you can’t be compelled, but there are other ways to force you to submit.”
Arcane emerged with Athler on cue. Both of them had changed, and I couldn’t help but notice the stiff way the eldest prince now walked. Arcane didn’t speak as he made his way to stand by my side. The King’s second crept up behind him. He looked so jarring under the sun. The only color to him were thin blue veins that wrapped around the length of his arms, and his dull, red hair that was so wispy, I could see through it.
“If you don’t smile pretty enough or go along with what we want, Athler will adjust your pheromones.”
“No—” I started, but my words were cut off. I couldn’t speak. I looked down at my thigh, the top of it was exposed through the two running slits up my dress. Arcane was withdrawing a needle from my skin. I tried to form words, but nothing came out. I looked up at the King in horror.
“I believe my son told you about Brockwich’s ability.” He paused, allowing me time to answer. It was a sick joke. I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t even make a sound. “He can take away different senses.” He paused again to smile briefly. “Arcane has been sampling his blood and studying his powers.”
I glanced at Arcane, wondering what he told the King about the day I was captured. Was Arcane hiding things? Did the King still believe they had Brock? I knew Brock got out. Everyone did. They admitted it themselves. Arcane’s expression was taut, masking whatever he was thinking as he met my stare.
“And my son found a way to single out and manipulate each of the senses. He altered them and created new abilities through serums. You won’t be able to speak for a very long time.”
Horror filled me. I wanted to scream, but I couldn’t—
The King’s grin widened. “Now, let’s begin.”
The Lux King spoke first.Most of the cameras were positioned toward him, but I felt some focused on Arcane and me as we stood slightly off to the left of the stage.
There were thousands of Advenians in the audience now and even more watching through the screens. I was told the broadcast was mandated and airing for everyone to see. Was Tezya watching somewhere? Were they forcing Vallie to watch back in the King’s room?
I could feel so many eyes on me from the audience below the stage. Their judgment was palpable, wondering what I had to do with this mandate.
“Thank you all for setting time aside from your busy day to listen in today,” the King began. I huffed, but no sound came out. It wasn’t like anyone here had a choice. A wave of calmness washed through me like a shiver down my spine. It melted my resentment, my anger, and even though I knew it was Athler’s abilities affecting me, I could do nothing to stop myself from standing up straighter, from looking longingly and hopeful at the King I hated as he continued. Internally I was shrieking. I was ripping through layers and layers of myself, trying to fight to my core, to gain control, but I had none. I was the perfect puppet.
Alec and Reagan stepped onto the stage next to Synder, waiting and listening patiently while the Lux King continued addressing the audience. Not a flicker of emotion showed on my face at the sight of them. Reagan wore a black, strapless gown that hugged her frame. Her blonde hair was twisted into an intricate bun, drawing attention to her bare shoulders. Her expression was serene until she saw me standing next to the eldest prince. I could feel her enmity radiating toward me before she quickly composed herself and looked back toward the crowd.
Alec winked as he took in my dress and kept staring. He didn’t look away. His frame had broadened since the last time I saw him, and he looked more like the kings on the stage than the boy who tormented and compelled me back in Tennebris.
“I want to cut to the chase,” the King’s loud voice carried toward the audience. “There have been many rumors swirling around about the events that took place not too long ago, and I want to set everything straight. It is my duty as your king to be open and honest with you. Sie Noren has escaped the prison.” He paused, letting the statement sink in. Loud gasps and murmuring took over the crowd, and I could only imagine what was happening beyond the screens from everyone watching at home.
The Lux King waited for the crowd to settle before he continued. “Because of this, we’re implementing a curfew for your own protection. No one will be out on the streets past eight in the evening. Sie Noren is dangerous, and his escape should not be taken lightly. If you get the opportunity, we give you permission to kill him on the spot. Do not hesitate.”
He paused, letting a flicker of grief show on his face. “It pains me to extend a similar statement toward my own children. Dovelyn and Tezya are both under the influence of Sie right now. As many of you are aware, Sie possesses total mind control. That means he can compel anyone from LuxandTennebris, and it is believed he has my children under his coercion as we speak. It makes Sie one of the most dangerous males alive. He can compel anyone from both kingdoms. No one is safe. Even if you are an Alluse or air user of Lux, it is believed he is still using his abilities through Vir Alluse.
“If anyone comes into contact with Princess Dovelyn or Prince Tezya, you are not to engage. Do not believe anything either of them say as they are not in their right minds, and they’ll do anything to convince you of Sie’s lies and manipulation. We ask that if you see them, you bring them back to usalive. We’re aware both the Prince and Princess of Lux are incredibly strong, and if you’re a lower rank or do not feel like you are capable of going up against either of them, there will be armed soldiers stationed throughout both kingdoms at all times, monitoring the streets. The soldiers are there foryourprotection.” He paused, making a show of acting upset. “I hope and pray my children return to me. I will personally see to their recovery if that happens, but the safety of our kingdoms must remain our top priority. So I urge by law, if anyone has any information on their whereabouts, come forward with it immediately. Anyone found harboring or withholding vital information will be found guilty and charged as an accomplice with the former Dark Prince.”
He paused again, slowly surveying everyone in the audience. “Because of the dire situation, we’re forced to mandate some new laws. On top of the curfew, you will obey the soldiers. Whatever they ask, you’ll oblige. There will be routine home searches and randomized questioning you’re not allowed to refuse. But please remember, this is only until we have Sie Noren’s head. We’re adding these new laws foryoursafety. I cannot stress enough how dangerous he is.”
Synder stepped forward, his hair slicked back as he stood next to the Lux King. He looked like a slimy, less lethal version of him. Like a starved snake, who just shed its skin, and has just now realized it can leave its dead scales behind.
“Thank you, King Arcane.” Synder nodded as he took over. “I know this has not been easy for either kingdom. For Tennebris, we have been manipulated by Sie Noren in so many ways it’s appalling, but rest assured it ends now. And for Luxians, I know how saddening it is to know Sie has your prince and princess under his control. But I need to further shed some light on how dangerous Sie Noren is. You need to know the full extent of what he is capable of.
“There have been some rumors that Sie is good. That he is,in fact, fighting for you, and that is the most horrific and sickening lie he has spun. It pains me to tell you this, but King Arcane and I both found that it is imperative for you all to know the full extent of his plans and what he has already done. Sie Noren is attempting to revert back to the old ways of Allium before rank zeroes existed. He wants to eradicate all zeroes and possibly even ones and twos. He is trying to lure the weaker ranks out by falsifying claims that he will protect and fight for you, but please do not fall prey to his trap. He has and will kill any lesser rank the moment he can. It’s what he’s been doing this entire time. Many zeroes and low ranking citizens have been going missing as of late and it’s because he is murdering them, and he won’t stop until only the strong ranks are left.”
I looked out at the crowd. There were so many shocked faces who were clinging to every word they were saying. Most were holding onto their loved ones while they listened. Some had tears in their eyes. Others were shaking. Most looked terrified and appalled.
The Lux King began talking again. “Sie has never liked the lower ranks. King Lunder suspected it the moment Sie was crowned prince. We didn’t want to believe it, but when Scotlind Rumor was announced as his bride, a Tennebrisian rank zero—” All the cameras turned their attention in my direction, and I could feel the eyes of everyone scrutinizing me. My heart raced, but I couldn’t show it. I forgot that no one knew I was really Luxian. The two kings before me never made it public knowledge. The world still believed I was a rank zero Tennebrisian, and I could do nothing to prove them wrong. I tried to call to my powers, to bring my water forth and prove I was from Lux, but the Alluse user was locking them down.
“Sie was disgusted by the notion of having a weaker wife. We have some testimonies and video proof to show you his maltreatment toward her.”
Synder nodded toward Reagan who stepped forward,claiming damning words about Sie. I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe this was happening, that they were making Sie out to be evil and painting this horrid picture of him. When Reagan was finished, Alec and Kole stepped forward next.
