Page 66 of Destined Dawn

When we are all seated, the Black Prince raises his hands. “And now we eat,” then he claps his hands, and scores of servers come dashing into the ballroom. Only these servers are dressed in plain outfits and their gazes remain resolutely fixed to the ground. Not like the academy where the dinner staff were just as likely to spit in your face as they were to slap food on your plate.

When the food is distributed across the tables, the gathered magicals wait, eyes locked on the top table. The Black Prince peruses the dishes, then drags a slab of meat onto his plate and immediately the other magicals do the same, scooping and skewering bits of food.

I look down at my own plate, empty.

I don’t have an appetite. I’m too much on edge.

I peer to Rhi and see she is the same, fiddling with her cutlery as the man who claims to be her dad continues to pile high his plate.

“It is rude in our country not to eat when offered food,” he says, not looking at either of us as he deposits a chunk of meat into his mouth and chews. “I promise you, it is not poisoned. I have a man who checks for that.”

I stare at the food, feeling even less hungry.

“Your country, they said … I don’t understand,” Rhi mutters. “They said the West was–”

“A hellhole beyond compare.” The Black Prince smiles, so charming and yet I can’t help but find it unsettling. “Perhaps it once was, but I have worked hard to build a home for our people, a country for them. The land where this city now stands was once as much part of the desolate landscape as the rest of the country. It is through grit and determination that I have molded it to be this great city.”

“It seems spectacular,” Rhi says.

The Black Prince considers her as he takes a sip of wine from his glass.

“I imagine they told you many things that weren’t true.” He smiles again, lowering his glass. “I have heard the stories about myself.” He leans forward and says in a theatrical whisper, “That I am some great evil force that threatened the very existence of the republic.”

He laughs.

“Are you not?” I say flatly.

He cuts a roast potato in half with his knife.

“Unfortunately, every ruler must be ruthless at times – for the greater good. There is often little choice. But I pride myself on my fairness and my humanity. It is your country that attacked mine all those years ago when they learned what I was building here. I simply defended what was ours.”

“And now?” Rhi says. “Couldn’t you find a way to make peace?”

“Ahhh. I suppose they have told you that we remain great enemies when really we are symbiotic. Neither could survive without the other. Wars keep the people distracted, Rhianna. Give them a common enemy and they will unite. Better the disquiet is with your neighbor so that your own house remains at peace.”

“You attacked the capital!” I say. “Burned our academy to the ground!”

He shakes his head. “I was searching for my daughter.”He covers her hand with his. “And, of course, I was encouraged by my ally.”

“Ally?” I say. “What are you saying? That–”

“Your father, the Lord Protector, is a shrewd politician. He always spoke highly of you Tristan Kennedy. Always boasted of the leader you would become. I was not surprised when I learned you were one of my daughter’s fated ones.” He chews the fatty meat in his mouth, his jaw working as he looks at me. “I am surprised you don’t know all of this already.”

“Y-y-you’ve spoken with my dad? With Christopher Kennedy?”

“But of course,” he says, lifting his wine glass to his lips again. “We have an understanding.” He takes a long sip of the wine, the liquid dyeing his lips a blood red. “Or at least, we did. Considering my most recent intervention, that understanding may no longer hold.” He lowers his glass and meets my gaze, behind him the great fires flicker and the scores of people eat, drink and talk.

“I still don’t understand,” Rhi says, the frustration clear in her voice and our bond humming with it.

The Black Prince gestures to her plate. “Eat. There will be time for more talking. For now, we celebrate your return. The people are grateful for it.Iam grateful for it.” He pinches her chin. “You are just as beautiful as she was.”

I turn back out and look at all the people. They certainly do look happy. Is that simply the free food and the flowing alcohol or are they genuinely elated at the lost princess’s return? Can it really mean that much to them? I gaze along the table at the others, at Azlan, Stone, Spencer and Barone. None of them are eating either – not even the crazy-assed assassin. They are all gazing out at the banquet, as fucking puzzled as I am.

25

Rhi

The foodin front of me has more spice, more flavor, more depth than any food I’ve ever tasted in my life. It awakens every taste bud on my tongue and has my stomach rumbling and yet I pick at my food.