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“I do.”
Her grin widens. “Well, afathemed, as we say.”
“What does that mean?”
“Take love like a fist to the gut.”
“I’m sure it loses something in the translation,” I whisper, feeling my cheeks heat, fighting the urge to snicker. “Thank you.”
“Does it?” Her laughter follows me as I go.
“So you are the Queen,” my father says. In front of him, on his desk, are the items Ophelia stole from the boys—the earrings, the ring, the bracelet. Time for them to be returned to their rightful owners.
“Yes, I am.” If I close my eyes and focus, I can feel my four boys and through them, the world. It’s a little overwhelming, but Vanessa is telling me what I need is training to understand and control my power.
She doesn’t know the extent of my power, though. It’s better to keep it a secret rather than have assassins lurking at every corner. I think of the shooter who got the boys and shiver. Yeah, better to not advertise my powers too much until I’m sure I can keep us all safe.
Ophelia has been sent away, to a school on the other side of the country with guards to keep an eye on her. I want to think she wouldn’t have killed me when the moment came. I know I may be naïve but sometimes you have to believe that the world is a good place otherwise you’ll go crazy.
My father took care of it and I want to trust that he’d make sure she’s not coming back.
“So Ophelia was right,” he says. “You managed to ascend without killing her.”
“Looks like it.”
“Don’t make it sound like a small thing, Mia.”
I huff. “It isn’t, you’re right. And I plan on using this power.”
“Mia—”
“To unite the races. To broker peace among them.”
“Well.” He leans back in his chair behind the desk, eyes narrowed. “You did manage to get all the scions of the Houses together and on your side. So I am listening.”
“Help me do this. I don’t believe that the only role a Queen can play is become an evil overlord.”
He lifts his brows. “Overlady?”
“Whatever. Power can be used in different ways. Magic doesn’t have to be evil.”
“Still listening,” he says.
“Help me start the negotiations.”
“I’m just the Headmaster.” But he grins.
I’m not amused. “You’re hiding here like all of them. But you’re an archangel and even if I’m not sure what that means—what sort of power that cold, bright power of yours is—I’m willing to bet that the Houses will listen to you.”
He steeples his fingers and casts me a narrow look. “How did you figure out that I am your father? You never said.”
“Someone told me.”
“A little bird?”
“No, a… friend.” I don’t mention the desk or the mirror. Not sure whether having magical furniture at the Academy is allowed or not and I don’t want to get Sindri into any trouble. “Tell me about my mother.”
“Juliette,” he says and his voice caresses her name. It makes me shiver. “She was the most wonderful woman.”
