Ava and I scrambled to get decent as Sophia turned away. Ava opened her door to let her mom know we were finished.
“I heard your wheelchair got destroyed,” Sophia said as she wheeled a chair to Ava’s door. News really traveled fast around here.
“Oh, wow. This is uncomfortable,” Ava said when she transferred into the chair.
“It’s temporary,” Sophia promised. “We found this one in storage and figured it would work in a pinch.”
“I guess it’s fine, for now,” Ava grumbled.
Sophia led us inside and through the palace. The only sounds were the click of footsteps and the roll of Ava’s wheels. Obviously no one wanted to talk about what Sophia had just witnessed.
Sophia dared to break the silence first. “I didn’t see anything, just so you know.”
Dear ancestors, I didnotwant to have this conversation.
“Mama,” Ava groaned. “Can we pretend it didn’t happen?”
“There’s nothing shameful about a married couple enjoying a bit of fun,” Sophia said. “Your father and I have enjoyed time together in some interesting places?—”
“Mama,stop!” Ava cried.
“I just don’t want you to be embarrassed,” Sophia said.
“I wasn’t, until you brought it up,” Ava replied.
“All right. It never happened,” Sophia agreed.
She approached a door and opened it. I could feel the air shifting around the room as people breathed, but no one said a damn thing.
It was quite eerie, and my stomach twisted into knots. I wasn’t looking forward to meeting with my grandfather after everything that had happened. I could imagine how disappointed he’d be already.
In the silence, I took a moment to assess the room. My Elf powers sensed demigod magic, and I noted that Marcus and Kallie sat on opposite ends of a long meeting table. The guards must’ve picked them up somewhere in the castle, along with Oberi, because he was ducked under the table in husky form. I could feel his guilt through our bond and knew his ears must be lying flat on his head. He felt bad for getting caught.
Others stood around the room. I picked up on the energy of two witches, along with a fae sorcerer and a wolf shifter. Marcus’ and Kallie’s parents were there, though my father was notably missing.
Fucking fantastic. Everyoneelse’sparents had shown up, and my dad didn’t care. Couldn’t say I was surprised, but it still stung.
They weren’t the only ones there. I also felt the energy signatures of a vampire and an angel.
“Ivy, Chancey!” Ava cried. “How’d you guys get out? We were worried sick!”
“The Elvish Associates pulled off a rescue,” Chancey said.
“Yeah,barely,” Ivy noted sourly. “They got rid of the Union cops and got us out before we could be arrested. What a shit job that turned out to be.”
Ivy didn’t get to say anything else before the door burst open behind us.
An Elementai strode in, and it was far too easy to recognize him by the way his energy commanded the room. “Sit,” Liam ordered.
I pulled out a chair and did as I was told. Ava wheeled up beside me. Sophia remained standing with the other parents.
Liam began to pace around the table. It felt like he was boxing us in. I counted his steps. Ten… eleven… twelve…
He stopped at the head of the table and turned to face us. “What thehellwere you thinking?”
“We’re sorry.” I ducked my head, and my voice came out smaller than I intended.
I hated feeling this way. I wasn’t a kid anymore. I was a grown-ass man, and a prince at that. I was supposed to be a leader, not cowering to people who called my choices into question.
