“Are the lot of you done?” she asked with a smirk.
Everyone went silent.
“I had a lot of time to think and process everything that has happened in the last few weeks on our flight back to the valley. Even though I remain throneless, I have made the decision to bring back the position of The King’s Lord. Only moving forward, it will be referred to as The Queen’s Aide.”
We all exchanged confused glances but remained quiet as she observed us.
“I have made many mistakes. Too many. Some of these almost resulted in losing those I care about.” She glanced at Jace. “My reign will not be based on singular, impulsive decisions. You are all the court of my crown, and matters will be decided together. However, there is one of you who has significantly more experience regarding the inner workings of the realm, and I would be honored if she were to give me a second chance at taking her advice.”
Jace crossed his arms as he smiled at the sorceress who sat three seats down from him, and I found my lips doing the same.
Their fuchsia and green eyes were suddenly locked in a fierce gaze, and Veli's nails tapped impatiently on the table, creating a rhythmic clicking sound as they stared each other down.
“I have offered advice to you many times, Elianna, and you did not heed my warnings.”
“I know,” Lia admitted again. “This is my sincere apology before our court. You know the realm and its people and have served for centuries as a healer. My father trusted you—Itrust you.”
“Why is it you have suddenly deemed that you need an aide?”
“Every great ruler had one,” I answered.
“Your father did not. The King’s Lord has not been a filled position in over a century,” she stated.
The corners of Lia’s lips tilted upward. “He had one, just not in title, but he always considered him his aide.”
My heart sank as I thought about Lukas and all he had done for our father.
Veli averted her stare from my sister. “And what would this position in your little court of rebels entail, Elianna?”
Lia smiled at her. “Telling me when I’m being foolish, which I know is your favorite.”
Veli’s eyes softened. “And you will stop acting like a youngling and listen?”
“I will do my very best.”
Jace chuckled, placing his hand atop Lia’s as it rested on the table. “She makes no promises, but your advice moving forward will not be disregarded.”
“He’s always had a better way with words,” Lia said, gesturing to him with her thumb as he sat at her side. “So what say you, Veli? Will you give this throneless heir one more chance to prove she can rule? For a better realm.”
Veli huffed out a breath. “A better realm.” Her eerie gaze lifted back to my sister, still swirling with fuchsia from the use of shadows at the isles. “I enjoyed your father’s company, and he wore his benevolence on his sleeve, but that cost him his reign.”
“We are in agreement there,” Lia answered. “That and his concern for my wellbeing.”
“You, Elianna…” She paused for a moment. “You are headstrong…impulsive and erratic.” Lia's gaze stayed locked on the witch, unblinking, as we all anxiously waited to see how Veli would respond to her proposal.
“However, you are also loyal to any end. More protective and fierce than any ruler I have seen sit upon that throne. The realm as we know it will cease to exist regardless of the outcome of this war. I have been a one-witch rebellion, and we have all witnessed its consequence.”
Veli stood from the table as she lifted her glass of wine, and every single pair of eyes in the room lifted with her. “If I am to be remembered as one thing, let it be this—not a traitor or rebel. I accept your offer of The Queen’s Aide, Elianna.”
We all stood in unison, raising our glasses in a toast alongside Veli.
“To our queen,” Jace announced.
“To a better realm,” I echoed.
Lia’s eyes wandered over each of us. “To my court,” she declared, resulting in us all emptying our glasses in tandem.
Chapter thirty-seven
