Page 73 of A Monarch's Fall

“I need to tell you something that may or may not cause you some distress or anger, and I wish for immunity for any and all past actions before I disclose what I have learned,” I explained.

Selene exhaled and nodded.

“Verbal confirmation, if you please,” I responded.

“Yes, Heidi, I grant you immunity from any and all past transgressions,” she agreed exasperatedly.

“Vlad told me that he expects Obscurum to be in power soon,” I said, with relief, “There, best to rip the bandage off quickly. That wasn’t so hard.”

“You’re going to have to explain that somewhat, Heidi. Why would Vlad expect Obscurum to be in power, and why would he tell you?” she questioned.

“Ah… that is a good question. Yes, well, you see, we have a sort of history, and I believe he was bragging to perhaps reignite that history,” I explained.

“A history?” Selene questioned.

“Mhh-hmm,” I hummed in the affirmative.

“What history, Heidi?” she continued to question.

I interlocked my fingers in front of me and bounced slightly in anxiety.

“I’ve slept with him, so have half the eligible women of the kingdom,” I admitted.

“You’ve slept with Vladimir of Obscurum, wife to my cousin Amelia?” she asked, deathly calm.

“Yes, that’s correct,” I answered and winced. “Selene, please forgive me. It was before we met and were friends, and it’s not like it was an affair or anything, it was a one-night thing, and a very disappointing night at that, the man does not know how to work what he’s got —”

Selene held her hand up.

“It is not I that you may need to ask forgiveness from or immunity,” she told me, and paused before continuing, “Half the eligible women of the kingdom?” she asked with surprise.

“Maybe more, he’s the definition of a man-whore,” I replied, easing up as I sensed that Selene didn’t seem too upset.

“Are you sure?” she asked.

I nodded, “It’s difficult to forget such a letdown.”

“How have I never heard of this? How does Amelia not know?” she questioned.

“I think you’re focusing too much on the infidelity and not enough on his ambitions,” I said.

Selene looked thoughtful for a moment.

“He told you this, openly?” she asked.

“Yes, I mean it was more suggestion, but pretty much openly, not in exact words as such, but he said the hands of power were changing,” I explained.

Selene was silent for a moment before she released a small, irritated chuckle.

“My father is up to something,” she stated.

“I don’t know how you came to that conclusion,” I admitted, “I’m going to need some context.”

“Vladimir had a meeting with Father earlier today. Before this meeting, Father told me there is a potential coup on the horizon. I believed him unquestioningly, but his choice to involve Vlad was a poor one. He must know of his indiscretions. But why would he want me to suspect Obscurum of betrayal? Does it have anything to do with Amelia? What does any of it have to do with Percy?” she said, becoming quieter with each question, and it felt like she was talking to herself and not me.

“Selene, you’re not making much sense, and I’m sorry to say it, but you don’t look well either,” I told her.

She turned to me and smiled sadly.