Page 14
Story: A Tongue so Sweet and Deadly (Compelling Fates Saga #1)
Chapter
Thirteen
T he double doors opened to a massive hall framed by an arched ivory ceiling lined with gilded beams. A chandelier dangled in the middle, hundreds of lit candles casting soft light onto the marble floor and the plush chairs and couches spread out beneath.
A dais decorated the back of the room, and Lessia imagined this was where the previous royals held court before they were overthrown. She could almost see the gilded thrones that had stood proud upon the dais, where the king and queen had sat in their finery, jewels, and crowns.
Of course, all the castle riches had been distributed after the war, sold in exchange for material to rebuild Ellow, to restore the towns and islands where only ruins and burned roofs remained after the devastating Fae magic had been unleashed upon them.
Although Lessia’s gift was lethal in its own way, the elemental Fae’s powers were catastrophic, and the humans had severely underestimated just how much destruction they were capable of wreaking .
Goose bumps rippled over her skin when she thought of how the humans had been tricked into taking on the Fae while the shifters stayed back and watched, biding their time until both sides were weakened.
If it hadn’t been for that brave fisherman, this realm might have looked very different.
“Welcome, everyone.” Frayson gestured for them to sit in the leather chairs placed in a circle by the large fireplace.
Lessia slipped into one close to the fire, enjoying the heat that licked her freezing body.
A scowl hardened her features when Merrick chose the one next to her, and she moved her arm off the armrest when his nearly grazed hers as he stretched out.
“I assume most of you know what the election process entails, but the law still dictates that I inform you.” Frayson shot her a look, and she swore amusement flickered in his eyes.
“The people of Ellow will cast their votes in two months’ time, and after that, one of you will be elected to lead Ellow for the next five years.
In the time leading up to the vote, you will have to prove that you are fit to lead this country—that you are willing to suffer for your people.
We will host debates and give you opportunities to showcase why the people of Ellow should elect you—what you may offer them. ”
Lessia’s eyes widened, and she cast a glance at the other nominees in the room.
None of them seemed surprised by Frayson’s declaration. Loche even smirked to himself where he sat opposite her, casually resting his chin in his hand as he listened to Frayson.
The nominee she didn’t know—a blond man, perhaps in his early thirties—met her eyes briefly before shifting his gaze back to Frayson.
Lessia frowned—there was something familiar about him, but she didn’t think she’d seen him in one of the taverns.
A cloak similar to her own was cast over his broad shoulders, and he wore a simple white tunic with dark breeches held together by a thick leather belt underneath.
Nothing that could betray his occupation.
When Merrick cleared his throat beside her, she snapped her eyes back to the Guardian of the Law.
“To ensure none of you will give in to greed and risk another conflict, you will all be subjected to the hardship the people of Ellow experienced during the war. Hunger, torture, loss. And while you will not face mortal danger, this is not for the faint of heart. You may bow out anytime, but that means you forfeit your nomination. Stellia, you experienced something similar during navy training, and Loche, I’m afraid to say you must go through it again. ”
Frayson glanced between the two, and as they inclined their heads, Loche’s sly smile didn’t falter for a second.
Craven’s mouth set into a thin line. “I assume it will be adapted to each individual?”
“You scared, Bernedir?” Loche mocked. “All that time sitting around in your mansion didn’t prepare you for this?”
Craven flew out of his chair, stalking up to Loche. “Watch it, boy. I can make life very ugly for you.”
Loche didn’t bother angling his head to look up at him. “Your face is already enough to make my life ugly, old man.”
Lessia couldn’t hold back a snort when Craven huffed angrily before storming back and throwing himself down in his chair so hard it squeaked backward.
Loche’s eyes flew to hers, and he offered her a lazy smile. “Why are you laughing, darling? I thought the only thing you were good at was frolicking in those taverns of yours. If you thought being regent would entail free wine and festivities, you’re in the wrong place.”
Heat rose on her cheeks, and a growl made its way up her throat.
Who did he think he was?
Anger mixed with the guilt weighing down her shoulders.
She might be here under false pretenses, but that didn’t mean she needed to deal with snide comments from this bastard.
Before she could snarl at him to keep his big mouth shut, Frayson held up a hand.
“Save it for the debates. I think that’s enough excitement for now.
You’ll all be shown to your rooms shortly.
You’re to stay in the east wing throughout this process, but you can leave during your free time should you need to.
However, I’d advise caution. While we have brought in a large part of the navy and have stationed guards around the castle and throughout Asker, the elections are always a tense time, and we’ve had… accidents before.”
Lessia tried to quench the anger as she took in Frayson’s words.
She was surely most prone to falling victim to any accidents , given the people’s reaction to her. But she was happy to learn she could leave; she had been afraid she’d be locked up here for as long as she remained in the election.
Frayson rose from his chair. “Please ensure you join us for dinner tonight. You’ll be given more information about the next few weeks.”
When Loche and Zaddock shot up and made to stalk off, Frayson called out after them.
“That goes for you as well, Loche. Things will change this year, so don’t expect the same process as last time.”
Loche’s face remained impassive as he nodded .
Flicking his eyes to hers, he winked before spinning around and leaving the room.
“He is nice to look at, but he has a mouth on him. And I’m used to soldiers.” Stellia elbowed her as Lessia rose from her chair. “I’ve heard he bites as hard as he barks, too, so I’d refrain from going all Fae on him.”
When Lessia scowled at her, the raven-haired woman grinned and gestured to Merrick. “Your man looks like he can bite quite hard, as well, though.”
She let out a sharp breath. “He is most definitely not my man.”
Stellia grinned wider. “He’s not? Well, I might jump on that, then—he’s gorgeous. And I imagine the castle can get quite cold and lonely.”
A hiss escaped Merrick when the captain brushed her fingers over his arm before wiggling her brows at them. “See you later.”
Stellia walked off with the soldier she’d brought as company, the man’s stern face displaying no emotion as he followed her out of the room.
“Not a word,” Merrick growled as he gripped her arm hard enough to bruise.
Rolling her eyes, she let him drag her out of the hall, where a guard waited to bring them up a spiraling staircase.
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