Page 23 of The Dark Fae Princess
He’s going to name his heir.
Gramps takes a long time to speak after he sits down. He gives each of us searching looks, but then suddenly slams his hands down on the table, making all of us jump a mile.
“As you know,” he begins, “I was set to retire some time ago when I was under the impression that my daughter, Aefre, would take over the Kingdom from me.”
Ambrosia makes a noise of disgust.
“As that didn’t happen, I have been forced to carry on, but my time is coming to an end. Now that both of you have grown up, it is time to hand the reigns over. I have thought long and hard about this. You are both Dark Fae Princesses. Marvels of nature that have alluded our race for an extensive period of time. It has always been about the Princess. She will rule, take a Light Fae for a mate and create a child that is half Dark, half Light, that will actuallybeFae.” He growls that last bit. Daddy tries to hide his snort, but fails miserably and ends up on the receiving end of a vicious glare from the King.
“However, only one of you can rule. It has been apparent to me for some time that the only choice is Savannah…”
“WHAT?” Ambrosia roars so loudly, she practically deafens me.
I cast a glance at Daddy, who gives me a look of such pride that I blush. My stomach has twisted into a knot. Gramps wantsmeto be Queen. I’ve wanted this for so long that now it’s here, I don’t want to believe it’s true.
I tune back into what Gramps is saying.
“…you are hotheaded, and you lack the tact that this post needs. I love you, my girl, you are so precious to me, you know that, but this role just isn’t a good fit for you.”
Ambrosia hisses at him and turns to her mother for comfort as she turns on the waterworks.
Gramps looks sadly at her, knowing he will suffer her wrath for the rest of his days, then he turns back to me.
“Also, by rights, this isyourbirthright, Savvie,” he says. “Your mother istheDark Fae Princess. She was the first and she was supposed to be the one. I cocked that up royally and she has never forgiven me. Not that I blame her. So that makes youthecurrent Dark Fae Princess. The one we have been waiting for. A true Dark Fae by blood on both sides.” He gives me a steady smile that I return, trying to contain my glee. I still daren’t believe that this is real.
“Of course, you have much to learn yet, girl. You are not strong enough to take this title on yet, hence why I’m increasing your magick classes and making sure your physical strength is as good as it can be. I’m confident that mentally, you are ready for this role, so it is just working on the bits that you should have been learning from birth, and would have, had you been here where you were supposed to be.” He gives me a stern look, which he turns on my father. “However, there is one slight proviso that all of this hinges on…”
Ambrosia’s annoying wailing stops as she hears that she might still be in the running.
I knew it was too good to be true.
It’s going to be something insurmountable.
He’s changed his mind because Ambrosia is being such a baby about this.
He doesn’t say a thing.
I hold my breath.
Ambrosia holds her breath.
Gramps sighs.
“I simply cannot make this official unless your mother is informed and on board,” he says to me with a look so resigned, I feel sorry for him.
I see the glance that Ambrosia and Maurelle cast each other out of the corner of my eye and the almost smug looks.
They know she won’t go for this in a million years.
“That’s not fair,” I start but then slam my lips closed as I sound just like Ambrosia whining and complaining.
“It will be up toyouto return to Earth, make contact with her however you can in the Dragon Realms and convince her that this is your destiny,” Gramps says with such finality, we all know that there will be no more said on this. At all. Ever.
“Fine,” I grumble, knowing that I have no choice, and dreading it with every fiber of my being. She is going to hit the roof. I was hoping it would just be done and then there’s nothing she could say or do about it afterwards.
I blink as the realization hits me that it is a test. If I fail, then Gramps knows that I’m not the right Princess for the job and he can hand it off to Ambrosia, whose mother will have no problem in agreeing to it.
Damn him.
