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Chapter Fifty-Eight: Rhea

“My apologies of course,” Councilman Borris says—though I don’t know if he is apologizing to me or the king, as he doesn’t meet either of our eyes. Only when a few seconds have passed and Sadryn nods his head does he continue. “I’d like to reference section ten, article two of the royal laws that bind our kingdom.”

My voice seizes in my throat as a cold sweat breaks out on my neck. The laws ? Nox hadn’t prepared me for that. We hadn’t even discussed them.

Councilman Borris’ dark gray eyes gleam when he takes in my discomfort and my silence. “Perhaps you need your memory refreshed? Haylee, dear niece, come here.”

My stupid magic surges, warmth permeating my chest and going all the way to my shoulders before I grip the dragon pendant and force out an exhale as slowly as possible to calm it.

Sadryn holds his hand up, halting Haylee as she begins to stand from her chair, an apologetic look written on her face. “The side members are here merely to observe silently .” Haylee hesitantly sits down again, while Daje looks like he’d rather be anywhere but here.

“I’m afraid that I must contradict you, Your Majesty,” Councilman Kallin says, looking from his son over to the king. “It is written in the Code of the Council that during the questioning of a potential consort to the heir apparent anyone present in the room is permitted to speak.” I squeeze the dragon pendant even harder, its hard points digging into my skin. When Sadryn doesn’t respond, his stare made of ice, Daje’s father adds, “I’d be happy to pull the codex out for your reference if you prefer, Your Majesty.”

A muscle in Sadryn’s jaw flutters before he shakes his head, his eyes remorseful as he looks at me. “That won’t be necessary. Proceed.”

“Wonderful. Come, Haylee.” Her uncle beckons her to the chair across the table from me, and though confusion still contorts her features, her steps are sure as she pulls it out to take a seat. “Please, remind us all what section ten, article two says.”

“That section states that, above all else, the ruler of the Mage Kingdom must put their people before their own desires and wants. That, together with the council, it is their responsibility to keep the kingdom a safe and prospering one,” Haylee recites, her gaze finally landing on me. “And that anyone who abuses that role should no longer be fit to rule.”

“Thank you, Haylee,” Councilman Borris praises before turning to look at me. “What I believe we have here, Your Majesty, is someone who wants the finery of life that comes with being married to a king. She has no discernable education or talents or abilities that make her worthy of being queen.”

Each insult knocks breath further from me until my lungs are screaming for air. He isn’t wrong about the list of faults, and perhaps that is the truth that hurts most of all.

“And with how enamored your son is, I believe it pertinent to this council to question what her real intentions are.”

“I have no intentions other than to love Prince Nox—”

“But it takes more than that to be a queen!” he interjects, his voice booming into the space and hand smacking the table, making me jump. “It is why this council has suggested that Nox wed my niece! She was raised from birth to lead this—”

Shadows lift from the corners of the room, rushing over the stone floor like a wave of onyx, as the door to the council chambers is thrown open. The sound of it cracking cleaves the room into stunned silence. Nox’s silhouette fills the doorway as the shadows he’s called climb up his body, writhing around him in furious movements. His eyes catch the light of the spelled flames above, making the silver in them glow as he takes a menacing step forward. Magic pours into the space as if it were a thundercloud all its own, but even under its stifling presence, I feel Nox’s power caress me gently. He glares at the men and women at the table, his eyes narrowing when he sees Haylee sitting across from me.

“Who yelled at her?” His voice slices out like a blade, making nearly everyone at the table jump. When no one answers, Nox’s eyes flare with barely restrained fury. “ Who yelled at her? ” he asks again through gritted teeth.

Sadryn moves to stand, his hands slipping into his pockets as he takes a step towards his son, but Nox holds a shadow- laced hand out towards him, halting his movements. Wreathed in darkness, he looks less like the prince of the Mage Kingdom and more like a god of the underworld.

“If perhaps my voice was louder than I intended, I’m sorry,” Councilman Borris answers, voice quavering.

“ Perhaps ?” Nox questions, taking another step towards the table until he’s standing behind Haylee.

Her chin rises, regal and poised even as she clenches her shaking hands. As I observe the picture they paint together, I can’t deny that she does look like she belongs there—at his side and ruling over a kingdom. My magic burns me from the inside at the thought of them together.

Daje stands, his chair squeaking as he does. Deep purple begins to glow in Nox’s hand, his head snapping to the side at the movement.

“Nox, it’s okay,” I say quickly, drawing his attention away from Daje. I stand and make my way around the table, laying my hands over his. “It’s alright.”

“Speaking to you that way is never alright,” he insists, his gaze lifting above me to once more glower over the table. I turn and look to Sadryn for help, his own features a mixture of uncertainty and shock.

“Nox, let’s go for a walk and cool down.” Sadryn wraps an arm around Nox’s shoulders, and though the tension of unmistakable fury still keeps him rigid, he releases his hold on the shadows and calls his magic back. His eyes fall down to mine again, and I nod my head in reassurance.

“I’m fine. Go. I’ll meet you back in your room.” I watch as Sadryn all but forces Nox to leave, the heavy pressure of magic dissipating as they do.

“This is all your fault, girl,” Councilman Borris seethes as he stands abruptly from his chair. “I know you—”

“Enough,” Councilman Kallin shouts, rising from the table. “Daje, take Rhea out of this room. Now .”

My next few steps are automatic, Daje gently placing a hand on my lower back and guiding me out into the hall and past the broken door of the council room.

Not brave enough. Not talented or smart enough. Not good enough. Not. Enough. Without even knowing me, the council was able to prey on my insecurities with little effort.

“Rhea.” Daje’s voice breaks through my dejection, his image blurring through my burning eyes. “Are you alright?” He immediately pinches his lips together and shakes his head, running a hand over his hair. “No, of course you aren’t. That was…”

“Brutal,” Haylee supplies, joining us out in the hall. “I’m so sorry, Rhea. My uncle asked me to join, and I had no idea he would call on me.” She clasps her hands in front of her, shoulders rolling forward as the corners of her lips tug downward.

“Do you want me to walk you to your room?” Daje asks sincerely, extending an arm out towards me.

Being alone with my thoughts is the last thing I want. I remember that there is someone else I can talk to, and she should still be here in the palace. “No, thank you. I think I’ll go to the library.”

Daje lingers as he observes me, his gaze flicking to Haylee and then back to me. He gives me a small nod and then turns to head back into the council room, carefully pushing past the busted door.

“Can I accompany you on your way to the library?” Haylee asks.

I want to say no, that having her so near makes my magic harder to control. That after what just happened, I’d prefer to walk alone. But she looks concerned, and I have no reason to not like her. “Of course.”

Together, we move down the hallway, Haylee’s light blue dress in contrast to my deep plum-colored one as we walk side by side. She’s fixed her posture, her shoulders perfectly level and her spine straight.

“The council will not get past their disapproval of you and Nox,” she mutters under her breath, barely loud enough for me to hear though it hits me harshly enough to make me stumble.

“How can you be sure? Today didn’t go so well, but there is time to win them over. To try again.” I’m not even convinced of that. Neither is Haylee, as she slows our pace down when we round a corner.

“I’m privy to much more than you would think, Rhea, and trust me, the council will not change their minds. But it doesn’t have to mean that you and Nox can’t be together.”

I shake my head, disappointment twisting my stomach. “I won’t ask Nox to forsake the throne for me. I couldn’t do that—to him or the kingdom.”

“I don’t think there is a need for something that dramatic.” The door to the library comes into view, and Haylee stops completely, turning her head in both directions to make sure we are alone before she steps closer to me. “What if Nox and I wed for show. To make the council happy.”

My head jerks back, glowing white heat flaring in my palms that forces Haylee to take a step back. “Why would you do that?” I snap, my chest heaving with anger and frustration and jealousy . The volatile emotions course through me easily at the mere mention of them together. Haylee holds her hands up in surrender, her eyes wide.

“It would be a farce! Only to get the council off your backs. I assure you that I have no romantic feelings towards Nox. Nor would I want to get between you both.” I glare at her as I clench my fists, my magic at the ready to do whatever I command of it. “Please, Rhea. I want to help. Listen to what I have to say. Please. ” Her eyes flick to my hands as she waits for me to make my choice.

With a weighted sigh, I force it back down inside of me where it coils like a hunting snake. “I’m sorry. This meeting did not go how I expected it to. I knew they were curious about me, but to know that they think I’m dooming them…” I rub my hands down my face. “I just want to be with Nox.”

“I know,” she whispers, her hands tentatively reaching out to rub my shoulders. “And I think I can help. Let Nox and I marry for show. You two could still be together, spend every moment you can with each other. Hell, even have children that I will pretend are mine when we need to. He’d be yours in nearly every sense of the word.”

“I don’t think I can do that,” I reply hoarsely, dropping my hands to my sides. “I don’t think I can only have him in secret while you get him in public. Even if you don’t love him as I do.”

“And I don’t,” she reiterates. “He is a friend—nothing more. But I do want him to be happy, and I do believe he would be the best king. You know how powerful he is. You know what kind of security that brings to a kingdom whose magic is slowly being drained from them.”

“He would never agree to it.”

Haylee tilts her head to the side. “He would if you asked him to.”

“No,” I vehemently deny. “He wouldn’t—”

“Rhea, I’ve seen the way he acts with you. How he looks at you as if you hold the very world in your palm. Don’t deny the power you hold. It’s the kind of power over a man that other women merely dream about.” Her gaze turns pleading as her hands slide down my arms to grasp my own. “If you told him how important you thought it was that he do this, I have no doubt in my mind that he would.”

She may be right, but why does this feel so wrong? Why does the very idea of him marrying anyone else, even just for show, make me want to burst apart? My heart feels made of glass, fracturing further the more the idea starts to burrow into my mind.

“Just think about it. You have some time before the council will get more aggressive in their pursuit to change Nox’s mind. You can save yourself the anguish—save Nox the anguish—and pretend to give the council what they want.”

I don’t say anything in response, don’t even look at Haylee, as she gives my hands one more squeeze before releasing them. My steps towards the library are a blur, and for the first time since waking from the Middle, I wish for the old Rhea. The one who could box up this pain and pretend it was something I could deal with later. The one who could be numb.

When I finally make my way to the desk where I know Elora will be waiting, the tidal wave of my despair leaks down my cheeks and I have to gasp for breath. Elora lifts her head from the book she’s reading, her smile widening when she sees me. “How did the council meeting go?” She studies me, her grin dropping as she stands and sets the book down on the table. “What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”

A broken whimper sounds as my hands cover my face, Elora rushing to me and pulling me in for a hug.

“Did Nox do something? I’ve never beat a prince up, but I’d do it for you.”

For some reason, that only makes me cry harder. I need her to know the truth. Elora is my friend—a friend that I chose. Not because she knows Nox. Not because we are forced to be friendly with each other. But because there is something within us that calls to the other.

And I trust her.

Pulling back, I wipe my eyes and then stare into hers. “I need to tell you something.”