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The Council’s Judgement

N iko

Power doesn’t feel like victory. It feels like chains.

As I stand before the Curia Regis, the eyes of centuries bore into me. Most of the council is older than my father was when he ascended. Franklin sits quietly, respectful. Josef is here too, sneering behind a polished goblet, waiting for me to trip over my own confidence.

Cassandra is not with me. Not yet. She won’t be allowed to formally participate in these council meetings until we are fully bound.

Not that they wouldn’t listen if she stood beside me. They need to hear from their future king, alone, first. And I need them to understand that the time for tradition is coming to an end. I certainly won’t be putting any of my future children through this fucking bullshit.

I place both palms on the obsidian council table, making sure to look at each person here before moving to the next.

“As you are all aware, I have chosen my Consort.” The silence is instant and tense. If I didn’t know better, I would say it is almost reverent.

That is until Josef scoffs, “We heard.”

“She is not of Runic,” someone mutters.

“She is not one of us,” another finishes.

I lift my chin. “She is a witch of Alluvium, one of the last true descendants of Salem. She is the woman spoken of in prophecy, the one given to me by the Oracle, and she will be my queen—your queen.”

Josef stands. “You expect us to crown a human-born woman whose own coven wanted to cast her out?”

I want to run a sword through him but I remain impassive, seated. Many long years ago he saved my father’s life in battle. It earned him respect and trust, both of which I am no longer sure he deserves, but I can’t do anything about him until I have proof. Proof I am quietly searching for.

“She saved a child of our realm using magik we couldn’t replicate with ten healers,” I retort calmly even though I don’t feel calm. “And she did it at the risk of her own life. How many of you can say the same?”

“She’s dangerous,” Josef spits. “Even to you.”

I narrow my gaze, slowly losing my composure. “Do you know what true power looks like, Josef? It’s not brute strength. It’s sacrifice. It’s choosing what’s right over what’s easy. She’s done it already. Hell, she continues to do it on a daily basis.”

The room rumbles softly, the very walls reacting to my flare of power. My magik is not quiet anymore. Not since I found her. I could end the meeting there, but I don’t.

I meet each of their eyes again. “Tomorrow, I will announce the merging ceremony date. She will stand beside me beneath the eclipse and anyone who stands against her, stands against me. I will not tolerate anyone who disrespects her.”

Josef’s smile doesn’t reach his eyes. “So, you’ve chosen your queen. Let’s hope she doesn’t burn down your throne.”

The others remain quiet, but tension fills the room like storm-thick air. I don’t expect applause, but I see the cracks. Not all of them are against her. Not all of them are brave enough to speak yet, but they’re listening.

“This court is not ruled by fear,” I continue. “Not of witches. Not of prophecy. Not of change. If any of you believe otherwise, speak it now.”

Franklin meets my gaze, firm and steady. “We will see her at your side. Then we will know.”

Ever the diplomat, he doesn’t say what is actually on his damn mind. It’s not a yes but it isn’t a no.

I leave the chamber before Josef can hurl another veiled threat. My personal guards fall in step behind me, but I wave them off. I need a few minutes to compose myself and cool off before I turn around and kill that smug bastard. Or snap at someone who doesn’t deserve it.

Outside, the sky has turned that strange twilight blue that only exists between realms. I walk the long corridor back to the eastern wing, every step pulsing with restrained magik.

I’m so damn tired of all this political bullshit. I just want the merging ceremony to be done so I can silence the entire realm. Cssandra is mine and their bickering and opinions won’t change my mind. Neither will all the fucking gossiping.

For a moment I wish we were regular humans.

Then we could hop in a car and drive to Vegas for a quickie wedding.

I chuckle to myself at the mere thought.

This may have all started as a way to save my realm and fulfill a prophecy, and it still is, but it’s more now.

I have fallen in love with Cassandra and my priority is binding her to me, forever.

As I make my way deeper into the palace I can feel her already. Cassandra. The bond we haven’t fully sealed yet is already strong and I sense her more every day.

She’s close. She’s a raging storm and they don’t even see it coming. She can end all the realms without any help, but we can’t save this one without her.