Page 53 of A Monarch's Fall

She leaned forward and gripped my knee.

“Only truly good men are missed by those who did not know them,” she told me before removing her hand and sitting back inher chair. “We discovered with your mother why Flores has held such an apparently absurd law.”

“Why?” I asked, my attention fully focused on Lady Flores.

“Because we are Flores and our magic is unlike any other. Other magic simply manipulates that which already exists, but Flores, we create, we grow, we make fertile what was once barren. When our magic mixes with that of another coven, there is no fight for dominance, only a merging of gifts and the growth of power,” she explained.

“Why have a law against that?” I asked more curiously.

“The merging of coven powers, young Percy, is already known to us,” she answered.

“Inter-coven magic,” I said in understanding.

“Precisely. Such magic is outlawed throughout the world for very good reason.”

I nodded. Inter-coven magic was too powerful; it created monsters like the Maze of Ardens.

“I could control the maze of Ardens,” I told her.

Lady Flores smiled knowingly.

“I heard, yes,” she replied. “Quite impressive, as were your first showings at Sanguis Academy.”

I couldn’t help how I stiffened at the mention of Sanguis Academy and what had happened, of Selene’s warning that others would want to use my magic for their own gain, for war.

“You worry about my intentions?” she asked. I didn’t reply. “That is very smart of you to be wary. You are more powerful than you realise. But I promise you, daughter of mine, that I wish only to help you control and master this gift and to protect you from those who would try to harm you.”

“You kidnapped me and brought me to a military base. Forgive me for not believing you. I am capable of protecting myself,” I said.

She laughed, a surprisingly deep laugh for her appearance.

“You are Damia’s daughter, and I would expect nothing less than prudent caution. I encourage you not to take my word as truth, but to explore what we are building here, to learn what we plan for the future of the kingdom and to decide for yourself whether I and the coven are trustworthy. Everyone here believes in the same cause,” she replied, and I didn’t know whether to be calmed by her words or more distrusting.

Chapter eleven

Nosey Mind Readers.

Heidi Coactus

The Borealis Castle, I thought, would be grander. I imagined chandeliers in the corridors, gold trimmings, intricately stained-glass windows, purple plush carpets, but instead it was all rather…boring. At least the floor assigned to Coactus was nothing special. The beige and cool grey tones were nauseating.

I sighed heavily.

“Are you trying to catch flies?” my grandmother asked, and I snapped my lips shut at the insult. “This is your first Royal Conference; appearance is everything,” she reminded me. Again.

“Yes, yes, dear Grandmother,” I replied, and gained a glare in return. “Sorry, it’s just… I’m disappointed,” I admitted.

“Did you expect a party?” she asked.

I walked from the window where I had been watching servants bringing in the luggage of various nobles and threw myself dramatically onto the chaise lounge beside Grandmother.

“Yes,” I cried, “Everyone who is anyone will be here, and you’re telling me there is no fun to be had, not in this entire castle?” I complained.

Grandmother laughed.

“You are your father’s daughter,” I smiled at the comparison. “But unlike your father, you are heir to this coven. You have responsibilities. Your father’s only task in life was to find a suitable wife to bear you. And now that you are coming of age, you must accept more responsibility. I will not be alive forever, and I will not have the prestige of the Coactus name and coven end with me.”

“Grandmother, you’re barely old. Have you looked in the mirror recently? You have the skin of a woman half your age, the vibrance of a young woman in her prime, not a grey hair in sight, your ticket to the underworld is a long way away, despite how much you cry that your end is near,” I told her and as much flattery as I wished to provide, my grandmother truly did appear a good decade or two younger than her years, I hoped my own skin held up as long. “Can’t I have just a little freedom?” I begged.