Page 31 of Iris of the Crowned Flame

As I prepared for the day, I saw Amyra still sleeping. My heart broke all over again that I could never make her my Consort, though I still selfishly hoped she would always be at my side. As I watched her breathe peacefully, smiling through her dream, I decided in this moment that I would behead any king that came between me and her. I didn’t think that Spencer would, but it’s always good to have a solid backup plan. Maybe once the King was dead, the Council might allow me to take a wife and make her my queen.

“Hurry!” Ivy rushed me, snapping me out of my daydream. “You can come back to her later.”

I checked my hair in my mirror to ensure that all pieces were in place and then opened the door. I came face to face with Spencer’s fist, ready to knock. He froze, and I covered my mouth to hold in the laughter and not wake Amyra. I stepped out the door, Ivy right behind me as she closed the door.

“Nice timing, Spencer.” I winked at him.

He blushed. “Ready to head down to the meeting?” He offered his arm to escort me.

“The other two are still out training, right?”

“Yes, of course. They left half an hour ago to meet with the Captain.”

Once he had reassured me, I took his arm. I felt a spark of excitement run through me from my hand as soon as I touched him. I glanced up through my lashes, biting my lip to hold back my smile. He looked down at me like he felt it, too. He placed his other hand on mine, holding me on his arm. “This way, my Queen.”

The way he called me his queen settled deep within me. I felt the same energy that I felt when Amyra was around, flirting with me. I didn’t know what to make of it.

“Your soul is speaking some interesting things, Princess.”

I could hear the smirk in his voice as he said that and blushed so hard. Biting my lip, I answered, “What is my soul telling you, Prince?”

“Many interesting things about what must be going on in that head of yours.”

“Well, I guess you’ll have to tell me what you can read in my mind after this.”

“Your place or mine?”

I would have playfully smacked him for that, except that we rounded a corner and could see Juniper and her guests coming down the opposite side of the hallway. It seemed we were arriving at her office at the perfect time. We paused, allowing Juniper and her guests to enter her office first.

Juniper started pulling out her tea set, letting us know she needs to speak with the Priestesses privately before they meet with us. She invited us to make some tea for ourselves while we waited.

The Priestesses disappeared into that side room that all her courtiers were hiding in the other day. Spencer and I lost the flirty energy we’d shared in the hallways; a more nervous mood, reflecting the gravity of our upcoming discussion, replaced it. We each poured our own cups, and then swirled them, staring into the shifting liquid, waiting for the Priestesses to join us.

It didn’t take long, thankfully. The six women filed out of the room briskly, and one took charge, speaking immediately.

“And you,” she pointed at Spencer, her green eyes swirling with emotions, “you’re the one with the sight?”

He nodded, almost afraid to speak. Her command of the space was intimidating, to say in the least.

“Tell me what you saw on that boy.”

Spencer explained Egan’s haze. They interrogated us about the altercation with Frederick, asked if Frederick knew anything about Spencer’s gift, and everything else that they could think of about what we have seen or heard.

They asked me if I’ve had anything manifest. When I answered negatively, the one with eyes the color of chocolatelooked me up and down and made a slight face of disapproval. The leader told me I’ll spend time with that priestess to see if there're any gifts preparing to manifest. I felt dread at the idea of spending time with someone who seemed to think lowly of me already.

“Why are you so certain that I’ll also have magic?” I asked. The Priestesses all appeared to freeze, while the leader turned to Juniper.

“What does she know?” She asks Juniper.

“She doesn’t. I didn’t know how much to share.” Juniper confessed.

I watched as the two seem to have a silent conversation.

Then the leader relented. “I’ll teach you two this as well, though it’s not high on the priority list. A prophecy reveals when the land’s magic will return. It speaks of a gifted king and queen.”

“I… wait, you’re telling me that someone long ago saw that I’d marry Spencer?”

“Perhaps. If you’re gifted. We’ll have to test you. Have you ever gardened before?”

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