I needed the opposite. I needed control with turning it on, and I was no closer to figuring it out.
My back stiffenedand I tried everything to keep the heat from rising in my cheeks when Hael walked into the dining room for breakfast a few hours later.
His eyes flicked over me for the briefest second before he took the seat next to Cash.
Elion drummed his fingers. “Where were you yesterday?”
Hael looked up, staring directly at the king. “I was busy with the recruits.”
The king’s eyes narrowed. “When I give you orders to dine with me, that’s exactly what it is—orders.” Silence rippled through the table as every side conversation hushed. “It’s not optional.”
Hael nodded as if he expected that. “My apologies.”
“I expect to see you in the throne room after breakfast.”
I paled.
The last time Hael was in the throne room he had his back destroyed for breaking the rules. Did not having breakfast with the king count as breaking them too? Was he going to get punished for something so trivial?
Why didn’t he just say he wasn’t feeling well? Why did he lie about where he was yesterday?
More silence followed as Elion continued to stare at Hael. “How are the new recruits coming along?”
“They’re adjusting. It will take time before we know the full outcome.”
Elion tsked.
“It’s only been two days since the Vinculums were formed, give them a week?—”
Elion cut him off. “It took you half a night until you figured out yours.” There was a pause. “I expect a full report on every recruit by tomorrow night. That’s all the time I’m giving.”
I watched Hael’s jaw tick, but he didn’t comment. If it wasn’t for years of holding my tongue around Dahes, I probably would have asked what they were talking about. I looked around the room and every Wielder seemed just as confused as I was, but the drakins were all silent.
People started eating again, the tension slowly waning. I forced myself to eat a grape. Then another.
King Elion turned to me. “Speaking of expectations. Cash told me you made progress with your Token after the ball.”
I choked. My hand instantly went to my throat as I coughed, before I recovered. After the ball—when we were drugged.
I looked up, meeting Cash’s gaze, and his smirking grin told me everything I needed to know.
It was him. He drugged Hael and I, thinking if I slept with him, I would suddenly get over my fear of being touched.
I looked up at Hael. He was staring at me now, but I couldn’t read his expression. His features were schooled, everything smoothed over and blank except for a fraction of his eyebrows being pinched. Then I looked down, noticing how tightly he was holding onto his knife, his grip turning his tanned knuckles white.
Elion spoke again, causing me to jolt. “Do you not have manners? I’m speaking to you.”
I whipped my attention back to the king. “S-sorry.”
“Well, let’s see it.”
“What?” My voice was soft. I had no idea if I had any control over my Token. Yes, Hael touched me and my body was still tangible, but it wasn’t a choice. I didn’t want him to do that to me, did I?
“Come here,” the king ordered, and I stiffened. I was sitting right next to him. How much closer did he want me to get?
“I said come here,” he repeated, his voice lowering, fear snapping down my spine at the tone.
I pulled my chair out, the sound echoing throughout the now silent room. I took a single step toward the king and stopped.
