Page 70 of The Princess of Nothing
“Winter!” Cedric’s voice resounded behind me.
I jumped a foot back, then whipped my head around.
“You’re safe.” He sighed relief, shrugging away one of the guards. “I tried telling them who you were and to let you go.” He strode to my side, then wrapped his arm around my waist and planted a kiss on my lips.
Blaise stared him down, looking at Cedric’s fingers gripping me. Menace and fury colored his gray irises into a dark green, and his lips fell into a hard line.
“Majesty.” The guard behind us bowed. “This man is claiming to be a light fae visitor with...”
Blaise waved him down. “He’s a guest of Winter, although I didn’t know she would be bringing a sparkly pet with her.”
“Blaise!” I scolded, but Cedric squeezed my arm, calming me.
“Don’t worry, Winter, he’s just threatened,” Cedric smirked, flaming Blaise’s eyes red.
“You can stay here for now.” Blaise looked back at me. His tone was guided with annoyance. “We will discuss getting you back on your throne, in private, with my council whom I trust.” His eyes trailed the room. “Until then, I have things to attend.”
“Thank you for letting us stay.” I let out a long exhale, reining in my anger at his comment.
“My pleasure,” Blaise replied with the enthusiasm of a slug. “I’ll have someone show you to your rooms.” He turned and walked away before I could say anything else.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Gray swirled in theblue sky outside the three arched windows that lined the back wall of the council chambers. Winds battered against the glass, begging to be let in. I leaned forward, resting my hands on the polished table. The lord, Abor, stared at Cedric. His midnight-blue eyes narrowed.
“Once you give them a voice, they will feel entitled. The people will turn against not just her monarchy.” He nodded in my direction. “But against us too. Don’t be naïve. We can’t allow them to think for themselves. They look to us for what is right and wrong. We are the order needed. If you take that away, you may as well hand over her crown now.”
Cedric slammed his hands on the table. “They should be allowed to have a say over who is going to be queen,” he argued. “They can think for themselves.”
I waved my hand in the air. “We are anointed by something much bigger than ourselves. They shouldn’t get a vote. It makes no sense. Edgar was not next in line,” I explained. “Lord Abor is right. We can’t do that.”
“A vote could help you.” Cedric regarded me. “If they want you on the throne, which they will, then there will be no overruling it. I think it’s a better alternative than reaching out to your cousin. Like I said before, there is no way he will hand back the throne, especially while he is in Berovia’s pocket. He is afraid. He doesn’t know Magaelor. He’s spent such little time there. He holds different beliefs. Now that he knows you are alive, it threatens him. Fear makes people do crazy things. I believe if we try to reason, show him fairness, a vote, it aligns with what he believes in. You may not think he will agree, but I do. He may even think he has a chance of staying. A peaceful way.”
I curled my fingers back and pressed my lips together. “I appreciate what you’re trying to do,” I said before Abor could jump in, “but it’s not possible, Cedric. Once we go down that path, there is no coming back. It undermines the need for a monarchy. We are anointed by our creator, and everything is built on that.”
Abor nodded. “She is correct. She is next in line for the throne after her father, and the rules of succession must be obeyed, for law, for order. We risk civil war without it.”
