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Smiling down at me benevolently, she extends a hand to me, acting so differently from the last time we saw each other. “Laelia, welcome to my court.”
I’ve attended her balls and been officially introduced before, so I’m a little confused by this, especially her false act of warmth. The only explanation I can think of is that she’s trying to impress this particular group of witches. Biting back my snort, I stop myself from shaking my head at this show of elitism. What about the witches who don’t carry a title? They are obviously not important enough to woo.
Becoming aware of the growing pause, I realise that the queen is waiting for my response just as Kano nudges me discreetly.Of course, I think to myself snidely.The queen practically feeds off gratification and attention.Not trusting my voice, or what I might say if I did attempt to speak, I just lower my head again in acknowledgement.
Her hand is still extended, and no one speaks, the silence continuing as the weight of many eyes rests on my back. It takes me a moment, my eyes flicking from her face to her hand, and I realise she expected me to take it.What does she want me to do with it? Kiss it?The images of me shaking hands or giving her a fist bump flash in my mind unbidden and causes a giggle to bubble up that I just manage to suppress. I must not hide my amusement as well as I thought, though, because irritation flashes in her eyes, but she seems to remember she’s being watched.
Taking a deep breath, she continues to smile and leans back a little on her throne, gesturing with that extended hand. “Laelia, will you sit with me for a moment?”
I can think of many things I would rather do, many of them horribly unpleasant, but I know I don’t really have an option. To decline her invitation in front of her whole court would be a great insult, which I’m sure is exactly why she’s picked this moment to request it. Gritting my teeth, I force myself to smile. “Of course, Your Majesty, I’d be honoured.”
Somehow, I manage to keep my ire from my voice despite the swirling mix of anger, frustration, and animosity that the darkness in me is doing a great job of provoking. Its whispers are hypnotic, and I want to give into it, my fingers tingling with the magic I’m still learning to control. Kano squeezes my arm discreetly, pulling me from my feelings and helping me focus. How he knew what I was experiencing, I don’t know, but he managed to drag me back to the present. Clearing his throat, he glances at me to check that I’m ready and then starts to move towards the dais where the queen sits.
Before we can take more than a single step, Ivar pops out from behind the queen’s throne, startling me. I gasp quietly but recover quickly, giving him a small smile as he stops in front of me. I’m not the only one who was surprised by his sudden appearance, because Kano stumbles to a stop, automatically taking a step back, his usual cool shaken by the close proximity of the dark witch. I watch him with a raised, questioning brow. Sure, Ivar is a little creepy, but does he really deserve that reaction? Realising that his response was just witnessed by everyone, Kano quickly pulls himself together.
“Lady Laelia,” Ivar greets quietly, his black eyes fixed on my face as he continues to smile.
I return the greeting, and as I do, a low murmur goes through the hall, and at first, I think it’s because of Kano’s reaction, but as I listen closely, I hear whispers of surprise that not only has Ivar stepped forward to offer his greeting, but that I’m interacting and not shying away. If anything, they seem to think Kano’s reaction was appropriate,normal,yet me treating him with some semblance of humanity is the biggest piece of gossip, and it’s taken the room by storm.
Kano releases me and steps back as I take Ivar’s proffered one, letting him lead me up to the dais where a chair has magically appeared beside the queen. Of course it’s much smaller and far less grand than her throne, but even having me sitting on the dais is a huge statement. By raising me up to her level, she’s showing everyone that she holds me in high regard, and that I have something they don’t. It’s obviously part of her campaign to try and keep the court’s favour.
“Thank you,” I tell Ivar quietly as he helps me into the chair, the skirts causing me more difficulty than I expected.
Murmurs fill the room, and as I glance around, I see people watching Ivar with distaste. It makes me want to jump up and defend him. At the queen’s pointed cough, the room falls silent, and all eyes turn to her. Her smile doesn’t quite manage to hide her smugness as she preens under the attention.
“Enjoy.” Her voice echoes far louder than it should, and the simple word seems to be all the instruction that the witches need, dispersing into small groups.
Light music strikes up from a group of musicians in the corner that I’d not seen before, and witches dressed in smart uniforms walk around the room with platters of food and full glasses of wine. I’m a little confused as to how this differs from the ball I attended not that long ago. We’re in a different hall to start, and this is a daytime event, unlike the ball that took place in the evening. While there is music, no one is dancing, instead mingling in groups. Of course, the major difference is that only those with a title are allowed to attend court, so it’s far less busy than the other night. I conclude that this is just an opportunity for the lords and ladies to feel important and gossip.
The queen and I say nothing as we watch the courtiers move around the hall. Seeing how these witches act when they are all dressed up and in close contact with others of the same rankas them is… interesting. I’ve seen some of these people having normal conversations with others in the hallway, or out in the courtyard practicing spells with some of the young witches, and they have seemed completely normal. However, stick them in a grand hall with fancy clothing, and their sense of worth seems to become elevated with their title.
I want to be angry or disappointed, but I’m not surprised, just tired of the hypocrisy of it. I get lost in people watching and sink into my thoughts, but a tiny, tentative tug in my chest has me looking up just as my eyes catch on movement at the back of the room. Atlas leans against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest, scowling at everyone and looking like he’s hating every minute of being here. He’s not looking directly at me, and I suspect that’s to keep the queen from working out how much closer the two of us are now. I can feel his touch in my chest like a gentle brush of a hand, checking that I’m alright. He’s concerned. Before, I would have assumed that he was worried I might lose control around his queen, but his heart is beginning to accept me, and his concern for me feels genuine.
“He’s one of my best witches.”
The queen’s voice yanks me back to reality, and I fight the urge to snap around and look at her, denying anything. She caught me looking at Atlas, and although my expression was neutral, I’m sure something about me gave away my feelings. It’s too late to deny it and will only make me look more guilty, so I slowly turn to glance at the queen with a single raised brow. “I’m sorry?” I ask lightly.
The queen’s smile tells me that she sees right through my act, but she gestures with a tilt of her head towards the witch in question.
“Atlas.” The possession in her voice has my hackles rising, and Star paces within me, wanting to be let out so she can claim Atlas once and for all. “It’s a shame about his upbringing,” she continues with her fake concern, “but he’s devoted to keeping us safe from werewolves. He’s been ruthless in hunting them down if they ever get close to Haven.”
Her gaze settles on me, and the hair on my arms stands on end as I recognise the threat. She’s warning me that if any other wolves, whether they are my mates or not, attempt to find me, they’ll be killed. It would damage my soul if one of them was killed, and I’d never be the same again. She doesn’t care, though, and there’s only so far she’ll allow my metaphorical leash loose.
The fact that she brought Atlas into the conversation also wasn’t an accident. When she discovered that Atlas and I were mates, she wasn’t pleased, and now she’s trying to sow seeds of doubt into our relationship. I can’t deny that hearing that he was personally involved in killing feral wolves that got close to Haven is a blow and breaks my heart a little. Of course, I knew of his hatred for werewolves, so a part of me had accepted that in his past he might have been involved in this, but I’ve never fully let myself acknowledge it. Atlas and I will have this conversation, and it’s not going to be pleasant, but it’s important to discuss it, even if it’s just so we can put it behind us and move forward. This isn’t the time to question him now though, as this is exactly what the queen wants, to put a wedge between us so she can keep her angry warrior.
Tilting my head to one side as she speaks, I force a tiny smile on my lips and hum in response as if I’m only pretending to listen, turning my attention away from her and back to the courtiers. I know that my lack of reaction is going to annoy her. I’m completely aware of her by my side and every move she makes, and I make a conscious effort to appear relaxed.
She stiffens in her throne, her anger radiating off her like a slow burning fire, and from the corner of my eye, I see her hand gripping the arm of the chair tightly.
I hope that she’ll dismiss me soon, or that I can just go back to pretending to ignore her while watching the comings and goings of the other witches, but I’m quickly disappointed as she releases a long breath and clears her throat.
“I see you got my gift,” she starts, reaching out and brushing a hand over the skirts of my dress.
Holding back my urge to pull away, I turn my head to look at her once more, a fake, placid smile pulling at her lips. I wondered when this would come up. There was no way she’d be able to let an opportunity to gloat over me pass up.
“Yes.” My smile matches hers, saccharine sweet. “We match.”
My tone must be off despite my best efforts, as she shifts in her throne so she’s facing me. “Laelia, we’re trying to show a united front here. We need to be seen together, and you have to begin engaging in court life outside of your lessons.”
