Page 20 of Unseen Eye (Aetherian Chronicles #1)

My stomach tightens at his scrutiny, but before I can stop myself, the old instinct to deflect kicks in.

I’ve always had a bad habit of hiding behind sarcasm when I’m cornered—a shaky shield at best, but one I can’t seem to let go of.

“Oh yes, Your Majesty, my life has been a magical wonderland filled with glowing lights and mysterious powers,” I say dryly, unable to resist the biting edge in my tone.

“Clearly, I’ve just been waiting for the right moment to reveal my secret talents. ”

“Eva…” Garet whispers, his tone a low warning.

King Baron studies me for a moment longer, his gaze piercing through me as if peeling back layers to expose something hidden beneath.

It’s the kind of scrutiny that makes my skin crawl, like I’m being held up to the light, every flaw and secret laid bare.

He glances over at one of his advisers, who gives a subtle shake of his head, for a moment the faintest glow flickering in his eyes.

I make a mental note to ask Leigh about their affinity later.

“I understand that you might be feeling overwhelmed and unsure,” Baron says, his voice carrying a tone that’s almost clinically detached, as if he’s dissecting a puzzle rather than addressing a person.

“However, it is crucial that we know the extent of your abilities. Is there anything at all, even the smallest detail, that you might have overlooked?”

He leans back in his chair, his expression unreadable but his voice colder now, clinical, as though he’s weighing me on a scale.

“You must understand the importance of honesty here, Evangeline. If there is anything—even the slightest detail—you’ve neglected to share, now is the time to speak.

What happened at the cottage is no small matter.

Power like that doesn’t simply appear out of nowhere. ”

The measured calmness of his tone makes my nerves coil tighter. There’s no warmth, no room for reassurance, just the heavy implication that my next words will define me in his eyes. This doesn’t feel like an explanation or an appeal to help—it feels like a test, one I didn’t agree to take.

“I really don’t know, Your Majesty,” I say, my voice thinner than I’d like. “It’s all so new to me.”

Baron’s lips curl into a thin smile. “Pity,” he says, his tone almost wistful.

“I was very much looking forward to a show.” He looks around the room, as if hoping the space might spontaneously reveal some grand spectacle.

Taking a deep breath, he continues, “Evangeline, as I am sure Garet told you last night,” he glances pointedly at Garet, “Eldorin was my grandfather. However, I was very young when everything happened, and my memories are rather hazy.”

He pauses, his gaze growing distant as he seems to plumb the depths of his memories.

“My father became king after Eldorin. He ruled with a firm but fair hand until his tragic death in a war against rebels. They sought power, chaos, and darkness instead of the peace and prosperity Eldorin had established and died for.”

Baron sighs, the weight of history evident in his eyes.

“When I became king, I made a promise—to myself and to the people of Astermiri. A promise of peace. I vowed to protect this kingdom at all costs, to prevent history from repeating itself. I want to ensure Astermiri remains a haven of knowledge and safety, free from the shadows that once threatened it.”

He looks at me, his expression earnest. “Your appearance here, your abilities—they could be a sign. A sign that the hope Eldorin once brought to our kingdom still lives on. But we need to understand it, to harness it for the good of Astermiri.”

With a graceful gesture, King Baron signals the servants to bring out refreshments.

A tray is promptly set before us, laden with fruits, pastries, and a steaming pot of tea.

The king pours a cup and hands it to me, his demeanor growing more relaxed.

“Let’s make this a more casual conversation, Eva.

We’re all just getting to know each other, after all. ”

I take the cup with a grateful nod. Casual, sure. Because nothing says “casual” like a throne room and a king, and an entire room staring at you emotionless. I suppress the urge to roll my eyes, still feeling like I’m balancing on a tightrope despite this new friendly approach.

Baron takes a sip of his tea before continuing. “Tell me, Eva, who raised you? Who were your parents?”

I hesitate, a moment of sadness surfacing as I think about my childhood.

Although I suspect he already knows the basics—Garet would have surely briefed him—I decide to answer honestly.

“I was raised by a man named Kendry. He was a close friend of my parents and took me in after they died when I was young.”

King Baron leans forward slightly, showing interest. “What happened to them?”

“Kendry said they were caught in a raid,” I begin, my voice steady despite the painful memories. “Our village was attacked by bandits. My parents tried to fight them off to protect the other villagers, but they didn’t make it.”

Baron nods thoughtfully, glancing at the adviser again, who notes something down on a scroll. “It sounds like Kendry was a brave and honorable man,” he says, his tone almost as if he’s evaluating a historical figure.

I suppose that’s why they keep scribbling down every detail. “Must be exhausting to capture all this on parchment,” I retort, unable to help myself.

Garet glares at me as I shrug.

Taking a deep breath, he says, “he taught me everything I know and kept me safe all these years.”

The king’s eyes soften with empathy. “It’s clear that you have been through a lot. Your strength is admirable. Kendry must have been very proud of you.”

I manage a small smile, appreciating his kind words. “Thank you, Your Majesty. He was everything to me.”

Baron’s gaze shifts downward, focusing on the necklace around my neck. “A gift from Kendry?” he asks, his tone curious. Meanwhile, his advisers are scribbling something down again, as if documenting the exact moment the king showed interest in my jewelry.

Baron leans back in his chair, his gaze still fixed on the necklace. “It’s quite unique. May I see it up close?”

I hesitate for a moment before nodding, unclasping the necklace and handing it to him. He examines it carefully, turning it over in his hands. The pendant catches the light, its intricate design glinting in the room’s illumination.

“It’s extraordinary,” Baron murmurs, his eyes narrowing slightly as he traces the patterns with his finger. “It reminds me of something from a long time ago… Did Kendry ever mention its meaning?”

I shake my head. “No, Your Majesty. He never spoke about it. It was just always there, part of me.”

He hands the necklace back to me, his expression thoughtful. “There are many secrets in this world. Sometimes, they reveal themselves when we least expect it. Perhaps this pendant is one such secret.”

“You carry a great deal of mystery with you. But remember, every mystery has its own purpose. In time, perhaps we will uncover the truth together.” Despite his friendly tone, it feels like a subtle threat, wrapped in the guise of concern.

The room falls into a heavy silence, Baron’s gaze fixed on me with unwavering focus.

After a deep breath, he speaks, his tone measured and serious.

“There is something else you must know. The Lunar Eclipse is in three days. By then, you must demonstrate your power, not just for me, but for the guests who will be traveling here.”

My heart skips a beat, the weight of his words sinking in like a stone in water. I open my mouth to respond, but Baron isn’t finished

“Additionally,” he continues, his voice unwavering, “we will be announcing your engagement to Garet.”

The shock hits me like a physical blow, as if I’ve been punched in the stomach. I turn to Garet, hoping for some sign of surprise or resistance, but his expression remains calm, almost resigned. My anger ignites, a storm brewing within me.

“What?” I manage to choke out, my voice trembling with outrage. “Engagement? You can’t be serious!”

Baron meets my gaze, his eyes hardening with resolve. “Did you think I would let the strongest weapon we have simply walk away? Your arrival here was a sign, one I’m not about to ignore. As soon as the other kingdoms see what you’re capable of, they’ll desire you for themselves.”

I shake my head in disbelief. “I’m not a weapon! I’m a person! You can’t just decide my future like this!”

Baron’s expression remains stoic, his resolve unyielding. “This decision wasn’t made lightly. It is for—”

I cut him off, my voice rising with fury. “For what? For the good of Astermiri? For your benefit? What about what I want? What about my choice?”

Baron’s eyes flicker with something unreadable, but he doesn’t relent. “It is for the protection and future of our kingdom. The other kingdoms won’t hesitate to take you if they know what you can wield.”

My hands clench into fists, anger coursing through me like a wildfire.

Leigh steps forward, her face pale and her voice trembling. “Father, please,” she pleads. “This isn’t fair. She’s been through so much already.”

Baron’s gaze softens slightly as he looks at Leigh, but his determination remains firm. “I understand your concern, Leigh, but this is vital.”

The queen, who has been silent until now, finally speaks up. Her voice is calm, but there’s a steely edge to it that commands attention. “Baron, perhaps we should give Eva some time to process all of this. It’s a lot to take in.”

Baron’s gaze flicks to his wife, his jaw tightening before turning back to me.

He sighs, though the sound carries no sympathy—just the weight of a decision made out of necessity, not compassion.

“Very well. You will have time to adjust. But make no mistake: the announcement and the demonstration will proceed as planned.”

Adjust to what? Being paraded like a prize?

Having my life dissected in front of strangers?

A sharp, twisting heat coils in my stomach, spreading through my limbs like wildfire.

My hands curl into fists, nails biting into my palms, but it does nothing to ground me.

My chest tightens, my breath turning shallow as anger and helplessness crash inside me like an oncoming storm.

I glance at Garet, silently pleading for some sign of support.

But his face is as closed off as ever—a wall I can’t scale, a door locked just out of reach.

When Garet finally speaks, his voice is flat, unyielding. “This isn’t about what you want, Eva. It’s about what needs to be done.”

The betrayal slices deeper than I’d expected, leaving me grasping for words I can’t seem to find.

Once, I had imagined a future with him—the way his easy-going nature could make any room feel lighter, his humor that always seemed to pull me out of my darker thoughts.

I thought he was someone I could trust, someone I could rely on.

But now? Now, all I see is the cold glint of calculation in his sharp features, the way his eyes slide past me like I’m no more than a problem to be solved.

The warmth I thought was real has been replaced by a detached cruelty, the kind that makes me question if I ever really knew him at all.

The man I thought I could trust, the man I thought I could build a life with, has been replaced by a stranger cloaked in ambition and indifference.

Baron stands, signaling the end of the discussion. He turns his stern gaze to Garet. “Garet, it will be your responsibility to ensure Eva is ready for the demonstration. If she is not prepared, there will be consequences.”

Garet nods, his expression resolute. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

“And do try to get that mouth of hers under control,” he adds.

I recoil at the thought, my anger flaring once more. “I don’t want anything to do with him!” I shout, my voice echoing through the grand hall. The weight of his words settles over me like a suffocating cloak. “This isn’t fair,” I whisper, more to myself than anyone else.

Baron’s gaze hardens, his patience wearing thin. “Life rarely is. You may go now, Eva.”