Page 75 of A Monarch's Fall

“An enchanted letter with House Ardens’ seal has arrived,” Rylan announced as he entered my private study.

“Thank you, Rylan. Has Arvid responded to my invitation yet?” I requested.

“No, Ma’am,” he replied as he handed me the letter.

“Let me know immediately if he responds,” I instructed.

“Of course,” he answered and hovered at my desk.

“Is there something more?” I questioned.

“You understand that I did what I thought was necessary to save your life, don’t you? You’re more than my general and future queen. I care for you. I’ve been with you since you were achild, and I was barely a qualified captain. My oath is to protect you at all costs,” he told me.

I sighed. I had struggled to sleep and had another night of no rest, and I was beginning to feel as bad as Heidi had thought I looked.

“I understand the decisions you made were to save me. I’d have preferred that you had focused your energies on saving Percy. I was always going to be fine,” I argued. I understood why he did what he did, but leaving Percy in the maze, allowing her to be taken. I couldn’t forgive it. I couldn’t discipline Rylan for his decisions either, as technically they were all legal and in my immediate best interest, but that didn’t stop me from being angry, and he knew of my displeasure.

“Respectfully, I disagree. The paralysis came on unexpectedly fast. We had to emergency intubate you, Selene. You were unable to breathe! I thought I was going to lose you,” he replied sternly, and for a moment, I was five years old again, listening to a lecture on not running away in crowds. I looked at him, and suddenly his features looked older, with defined lines around his eyes, more grey hair than I had remembered.

“I know you were thinking of my safety. But you should remember, going forward, that I value Percy’s safety and well-being above my own and above others. If the choice is between the two of us, you must choose her. Be thankful that I do not hold you personally responsible for her loss,” I replied. It was as close as I could get to forgiveness.

He bowed in acceptance before he turned to leave.

The grey envelope of Ardens sat on my desk, the Ardens shield stamped into the enchanted seal. No doubt Adamantia was informing me of the state of Ardens Estate mansion and the mess of northern political affairs.

I wasn’t in the state of mind to give such things my attention, but I lifted the letter and broke the seal. I would read it but leavemy response for a later date when I was capable of giving the situation with Ardens my full attention.

Dear Selene,

I write to you with some troubling news. We were finally able to release Kay (my new plaything) from her previous blood oath and entwine her in a new oath to myself and Ardens. She has revealed some rather troubling information.

Kay’s role was in intelligence and reconnaissance; as such, she was privy to highly sensitive information, which is why she took her original blood oath.

We have learned of an attack planned for the closing ceremony of this Royal Conference. The New Foundation has infiltrated every House and is poised for the kingdom's largest attack in history.

Moreover, the leadership of The New Foundation — I did not believe it at first, but I assure you I am certain that the girl believes this to be true — is the Flores coven.

I believe that this may give you some peace concerning young Percy’s safety. I doubt they would harm their own.

There is much work to do here; rebuilding has already started. I will keep you informed of any major updates; however, I trust that you have more pressing matters to attend to at this time. I ask that you do not forget the interests of your second House during the conference, and I hope that you continue to recover well.

Our love,

Adamantia & Sasha.

I re-read the letter twice.

The Flores coven? The leaders of The New Foundation?

Something was off. With everything I knew of Flores, it made no sense. Why would they disappear only to reappear in such a fashion?

They had infiltrated every House and planned to attack the Royal Conference.

Was it boldness or naïvety? Had they been planning this for decades?

I had to inform Father. The thought of seeing and interacting with him filled me with an unexpected rage, and I scrunched up the letter in my hands. He was lying to me and trying to use Vlad to manipulate me through Heidi, for what purpose I could not think. What was clear was that he was up to something, and it likely involved Percy in some way.

I stood and walked to the fireplace within my study, throwing the letter into it. I would inform Father of the planned attack, but the information concerning Flores, I would keep to myself until I understood why they would do this to us.