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The guard gestured for me to move forward, and I complied, walking slowly, my steps echoing off the cobblestones. I followed the line of sentries silently, overwhelmed by the grandeur of this place. I had no idea what lay ahead of me, and I wasn’t sure I was ready to find out.
“Aw, they missed me,” August muttered threateningly, his hands gliding up and down the front of his impenetrable green suit. He had adorned himself with the regal garment and a tarnished crown, the metal glinting ominously in the dim light, obscuring his piercing gaze. An ancient crest was pinned to his chest, a reminder of the power and danger that followed him.
The men in armor didn’t move. They stood at attention in their emerald and silver uniforms, each one as decorated as the last. Their matching yellow sashes hung over their right shoulder, the gold-tipped spears held tightly between their fingers. They had no expression on their face at all. Not even a wrinkled forehead or a twitch in the lips.
Adonis lurched out from the shadows of the circular driveway, his aged face a map of twisted wrinkles and despair. His sunken eyes were like shadowy pits, warning us of the danger ahead. He clenched his jaw tightly and squared his hunched shoulders, trying to exude a sense of determination despite the overwhelming dread that hung so heavily in the air.
“Stick to the plan,” Leo grunted. His shifty eyes scanned all of us.
“I’m still king for the next fifteen minutes, so I suggest you stop bossing me about,” August clipped.
Adonis bowed dutifully as August approached, with us following close behind. A few people whispered, likely gossiping about where he had been these last few days. “Hello, sir. I trust your visit was productive.”
August smirked at him. “Very.”
My king clasped my hand firmly in his, sending a shiver of adrenaline racing through my veins. My heart thumped wildly within my chest, the sound of it filling my ears. Adonis stepped closer, his cobalt eyes alive with an intensity that terrified me. “Now or never,” August murmured in a low, throaty whisper. It felt like I was no longer in control of my own fate—I was at their mercy. I could only hope our plan worked.
“We’re right here with you, Little Monster,” Atticus whispered encouragingly.
I gripped August’s hand as though it were a lifeline, every muscle in my body tensed with anticipation. I marched forward, each of my footsteps seeming to reverberate. All eyes were on us; I could feel their heavy gazes like a tangible pressure against my skin. The whispers around us seemed almost deafening in the stillness, and I felt terror gripping my heart. I kept my eyes fixed on August, searching for strength in his silent reassurance. He gave my hand a gentle squeeze, curling his lips in a small smile that I tried valiantly to return.
We walked up to the steps, the guards moving their spears out of our way. Adonis stood in front of us and swung the large double doors open. Workers and members of the elite filled the space. The entire hall stood at attention, their heads bowed as we walked.
I gulped. Being back at the castle, especially after the devastating explosion, had me on edge. I felt a chill every time I heard a distant sound, as if our enemies were coming to finish us off. The knife I had concealed at my thigh offered me some comfort; I was ready to fight if the need arose. All I had to do now was declare that I had survived and forge ahead with the wedding plans with August. It didn’t matter if he wasn’t the rightful heir. Once our positions were solidified, we could finally end Lord Nathan’s tyranny.
“Hello, everyone,” August called out in a loud voice. Shocked whispers traveled through the crowd. August nodded at everyone, his eyes taking in the scene. “As you can see, my bride is alive and well.”
The women around me recoiled in shock. Some even whipped out their phones to take pictures of me—the living symbol of our near-tragedy. I held my arm high, my damaged skin still exposed, raw and vulnerable. They could see it, the evidence of our attack. We’d been persecuted by Lord Nathan at our engagement party. But I wasn’t scared anymore—not with Atticus and Leo at my side. They filled the air with a sense of security, a promise that I would be okay.
“Let’s get this over with,” Leo grumbled.
“Let’s roll some heads,” Atticus added, and the four of us made our way through the castle.
“How dire is the situation, Adonis?” August asked, his smile a facade. The sound of my frantic footsteps reverberated through the castle. I took quick glances around, analyzing every face that looked my way. Which ones of them were Lord Nathan’s spies? Which ones were a credible threat?
“It’s dire indeed, sir,” Adonis replied grimly. “Lord Nathan’s rumors have spread like wildfire. People are starting to doubt the legitimacy of the lords. Fear has them on edge, and they take Lord Nathan seriously, especially after the attack at your engagement party and the murders at the House of Pearl and House of Brooke.”
“Lovely,” August grumbled.
We strode around the bend, coming to the grand oaken doors at the end of the hall. With a creak, they slowly swung open, challenging us to enter. The room was full of seething rage, with hatred reflected in every face. Cigar smoke filled the air like a threatening fog, while whispers of dread circulated like venom.
“He finally shows up.” A man with a dark beard and a dark expression puffed on his cigar and spoke through the cloud of smoke. He and the rest of the council stood to greet us; I noticed that no one formally bowed, though. That wasn’t a good sign.
August’s eyes glimmered with determination. “My deepest apologies, gentlemen. As you know, it was believed my fiancée had perished in the explosion. But it appears there was a mistake made at the hospital—she is alive! I’ve stayed by her side while she recuperated.” He swallowed hard before looking at me. “However, I fear we have more obstacles to overcome. I believe it is imperative we move forward with our wedding plans.”
The men’s faces drained of color, and I felt their menacing gaze penetrate me. I understood their insidious ways, that they wouldn’t waste a single thought on me as a woman. I knew raising my voice was futile.
But not for long.
They were ruthless. They were power-hungry.
“And you truly believe that?” The bearded man stalked toward us like a hunter. His men were following him with their hands on their weapons. He had the ferocity of a lion, with the coldheartedness to back it up. “It looks like Lady Christine. But we heard she perished in the flames.” His voice was heavily tinged with suspicion and threat.
August peered at him. “The reports were wrong. Feel free to call the hospital. They’ll happily explain the mix-up.”
An elderly man stepped forward with trepidation. “Your Highness, forgive me for speaking out of turn, but we must discuss this dire situation. Lord Nathan’s rumors have already caused a stir across the land, and it won’t be long before chaos ensues! Unless we act fast to bring him down, his lies will rip apart our kingdom.”
August clenched his jaw. “Right. The rumors. Rest assured I am still the rightful heir to the throne. I don’t understand why you’re allowing Lord Nathan’s rumors and civil unrest to poison our kingdom. We should be focusing on bringing him down, not entertaining his foolish accusations.”
