Page 128 of A Monarch's Fall

“Heir?” I questioned.

“Seems your pet is quite the pedigree after all, heir to a coven and a fallen kingdom. The New Foundation had big plans for her. She was going to be their poster child, the innocent face of a revolution. Arvid didn’t want that; he also didn’t want to be double-crossed. He’s playing all the angles and quite frankly thinks himself above us all,” Valen explained.

“If you are the reason Percy escaped The New Foundation, why did Father claim she was rescued during an attack?” I asked.

“Probably has something to do with getting whatever he wants from you, or her, or both of you. I don’t know his motivations. All I know is that someone very similar to Percy in appearance was seen moving through the castle grounds late last night, and that shortly after, Uncle Nyx was also spotted outside. Seems he found your pet before she found you.”

If what Valen said was true, my father had been alone with Percy long enough to convince her to go along with his lie about her rescue. What did he want from her?

“Something’s clicking into place, isn’t it? What was Daddy up to with your precious pet?” he gloated.

“I’ve not heard you make me an offer,” I told him.

“Ah, yes, I have some rather useful information concerning the plans of The New Foundation and what Arvid has up his sleeve. It’s not looking good for anyone, least of all for us,” he pointed between the two of us. “My dear cousin, if we don’t act smart, we risk losing everything,” he said.

“You’ve already lost everything,” I reminded him.

“Hardly, I’m loved in the north, truly it’s the reason I find myself here now and not imprisoned in the Halvorsen dungeons,” he replied.

“How can I be sure that anything you tell me isn’t a Halvorsen manipulation? You’re Arvid’s little errand boy now,” I questioned.

He frowned deeply.

“I’m no one's errand boy,” he spat.

“What are you then?” I asked in a mocking tone.

“I’m the future king and your soon-to-be husband,” he declared.

I laughed, truly.

“You are deluded,” I told him.

“Selene, the kingdom is about to implode on itself. I was able to essentially walk in here and discover more about the goingson of this castle in the space of a few hours than you yourself are aware of. I’ve been playing the role of grateful prisoner within Halvorsen for months. I have information you can’t possibly know of. I have contacts and alliances that could stabilise the northern Houses and give Borealis a fighting chance… And I know about Percy,” he said.

“What do you know about her?” I questioned, not liking the way he spoke.

“I’m surprised that no others have come to the same conclusion. It was so obvious once I realised —”

“Get to your point,” I demanded.

“A soul match,” he stated. “I knew it,” he said excitedly and pointed at my face waving his finger around. “Your expression is answer enough,” he said.

I growled in warning, “You don’t know what you’re talking about.” He had to die now. I couldn’t let him leave alive.

He waved his hand dismissively at me.

“I don’t care, Selene. I’m not asking for a love marriage. I’m asking for a partnership. Neither of us can hold this kingdom together alone, but with both of us, we have a chance. Oh, please, stop looking at me like that. I’ll accept a blood oath, I know how you like a blood oath. I’ve not told anyone about my suspicions so far, and I’m not about to start now. Your secret stays safe with me, I reveal the inner workings of The New Foundation and their planned attack, Arvid’s twisted vision and just which of the nobility has been entertaining him recently, the kingdom is saved, our enemies are destroyed, peace and happiness for everyone, and all it will cost you is your hand in marriage and cooperation with me, your cousin. We’re family, Selene. Despite everything that has happened between us, have I ever truly attempted to harm you?”

“You helped to murder my mother and tried to murder my father,” I reminded him.

“I had nothing to do with Aunty Arae’s death,” he said defiantly. “Father only told me about that after the fact. I loved Aunty Arae. I would never have had anything to do with her death,” he told me seriously. “Uncle Nyx, that’s a different story,” he admitted. “We’re family. And we used to get along,” he said.

“We were children,” I replied.

“We were the best of friends, for a time. We could be again. Think it through, yes? You don’t have to make a decision yet, but I have a feeling you’ll change your mind soon,” he told me, and his attention was behind me.

Heidi was walking towards the greenhouse doors.