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“Yes,” he said and ran his hand down his face. “I know you, Selene, and so I choose to trust that your intentions are for the betterment of the kingdom.” I nodded in agreement.
“I also want Clara’s death to be at my hands.”
“That may be more difficult. Discuss the matter with Creel. Clara may be lost in the taking of Castle Vouna,” he answered. “The south remains a threat. House Halvorsen may not start a war, but I don’t doubt that Duke Halvorsen will fan the flames of resentment and spur on conflict.”
I gritted my teeth and ground out my words. Percy could not have understood how difficult I found it to give her what she wanted. “We can return the mutt to Viridis. He has not been harmed while here. Let it be a gesture of goodwill. Viridis and the other southern Houses will know that we have not acted unjustly and chose to spare the lowest of conspirators.” I hated that she cared for him. I hated that she begged me to let him live, to send him home. I hated that it was politically the better option, rather than displaying his severed head at the entrance to the Kings City.
“I’m surprised Selene. You have never been the forgiving type. Am I correct in suspecting your pet’s involvement in such a suggestion?” he questioned. All I could do was harden my jaw. He smiled knowingly, the sort of smile he hadn’t given me since I was a child and he had known of my sneaking off to the forests of the Dark Mountains. “It would, I suppose, lessen tensions. Yet, I believe it would not be enough.”
“Arvid is correct that House Halvorsen does not want a war. They may encourage resentment and tensions but will not push for actual conflict. The greatest disruption they can pose will be at the Kings conference - which has been rescheduled for fall this year, if I am correct?”
“Yes, the conference has been pushed back. Your mother’s death and rumours of your engagement are believed to be the cause of the delay.”
We discussed the conference and potential friendly delegates of the southern Houses for some time before moving to the topic of Sanguis Academy. Father assured me that the Academy had given adequate reassurances of safety, signed off by Creel and Rylan.
“Would you like to return to your studies?” he asked. I found that I did. Studying at the Academy had become enjoyable. I had Percy and privacy to live as I pleased and I wanted to explore my budding friendship with Heidi.
“Education is important,” I answered. Again he gave me a knowing smile and nodded his head. “Father,” I said to get his attention as he returned to his notebook.
“Yes, daughter?” he said.
“Percy - she belongs to me,” I said. “I won’t allow anyone to come between us.”
He sighed heavily and stood from his seat, walking towards me and pulling the chair next to me to sit. He placed his hands over mine. “A soul match is unique, rare. Your mother thought them very sacred, a gift from the gods. I would not interfere with the wishes of the gods.”
“You don’t believe in the gods,” I told him.
“No, but she did,” he replied and lifted his hands from mine. “I am concerned about how such a match will affect the kingdom. Yet, my kingdom will one day be your queendom. I will hold our lands together until you are ready to take your place. I would remind you, however, of the laws of succession as they stand. You must marry a suitable noble and have the intention of producing a suitable heir. The half-witch is far from noble.”
“Laws can change, systems can change. It simply takes the right people to make it happen,” I told him.
“Perhaps. Tread carefully, Selene. Some would take what you hold dear for their own gain, as you know. ‘You have been blessed; don’t piss on a blessing’,” he told me, choosing a quote from my mother.
“She said that about everything,” I laughed.
“She thought you her greatest gift,” he told me. “I am sorry, Selene, for not protecting her, not protecting you, and for not being someone you felt you could trust. I have failed, as a husband and father a thousand times over. Complacency is dangerous. I grew complacent and did not see the vipers in my garden and allowed fear to make my decisions. I hope you do not make my mistakes.”
28. Birthday
Persephone Flores
My garden was wonderful in the height of summer—bright colours decorating the Royal residence roof. Selene was busy with work. She had been incredibly busy since she explained that she would be taking on the title of Marchioness of Ardens.
She had a lot to do, I understood. It had only been a month since the summer ball. Selene had assured me that Sanguis Academy was once again safe, but the fact I couldn’t leave the Royal residence hall without her, and that a guard now walked me to and from classes and stood quietly in the corner for the whole duration of each lesson, made me wonder if Selene really thought we were safe.
Dylan had returned to Viridis, but he hadn’t tried to contact me, and Harris was no longer at the Academy, so I couldn’t ask him how he was. I felt sick whenever I thought about Dylan, the summer ball, Remy, the cells under Vouna castle, or the sounds of all those people…
I screamed, startled as warm arms wrapped around my waist.
“Did I catch you in a daydream?” Selene asked softly, her lips brushing against my ear.
“No,” I told her, my heart calming. Only her arms made me feel better. Only Selene chased away the terrible feelings that haunted me in quiet moments.
“You looked distracted,” she said.
“I was,” I told her as I turned in her arms, wrapping mine around her too.
“What’s going on in that pretty head?” she asked.
