Page 21 of Inheritance
“Of course,” I nodded sharply and looked towards the kingdom, “do you think they will listen?”
Drayven’s eyes darkened, “We are about to find out.” As Finias shattered the barrier, my eyes widened realizing there were already forces waiting at the barrier and they did not look friendly.
CHAPTER TEN
Drayven
“Idon’t understand, Drayven.” My father’s voice was weak as he eyed me with panic. I found myself more and more disgusted with the man the longer I stood in his presence. I heard Colt scoff as Finias paced back and forth, looking anxious to get the fuck out of this place—and I didn’t disagree. I had never felt so unsettled at home, and there were several reasons for my discomfort. The first reason, of course, was that Ama wasn’t here. But the second was that since the Summit, I had come to so clearly see the truth of what I had been manipulated to believe. The rose-colored glasses had been shattered, and all I saw at that moment was a room of men and women who were terrified and weak.
“You don’t understand why our commanders are gathering our forces?” I clarified, my voice echoing through the foyer.
“Why are we fighting a battle that is not our problem?” my father pleaded. “Surely the king can get himself out of this, and it works out perfectly because you can rule with that little hybrid bi—“
“I would highly suggest you not finish that statement,” I growled, and my father let out a whimper. Finias swiftly pressed a knife to his throat and whispered something that had my father turning green. Good. I looked at the others, knowing that Finias wouldn’t kill him...most likely. But I did hope he would scare him.
“The House of Runes will not stop with the capital, so if you think you are safe hiding inside these walls, you are foolish,” I leveled evenly. “I don’t care what you think about hybrids—I will not have you jeopardizing the future of this kingdom and the realm because of your hatred. If you don’t want to be part of this fight, then go lock yourself away, but just know that your actions will be the future you set for yourself. A future in which you are known as cowards and traitors.”
“Drayven, honey.” My mother’s voice was soft as she supported my father, who was sagged against her, looking terrified as Finias left his side, moving in and out of the crowd around us. Colt seemed to find what he was doing funny, and in any other context, I might have as well— considering he looked like a shark seeking his prey—but I knew this moment was fundamental. I needed to get them on board, and then we needed to get back to breaking down the walls for Damien’s army. He had chosen to wait outside, not trusting himself to be in the proximity of the fuckers who had hurt Ama—and I didn’t disagree.
It was just one more good reason that Adrien, Jace, and Nico weren’t here either, and instead were collecting the forces to all gather in Obumbratio. There was only so much bullshit we could hear before one of us snapped.
“Mom,” I leveled patiently, knowing she understood how my father could be. “We aren’t doing this.”
“They aren’t like us!” another voice demanded sharply as I eyed one of the other court members.
“You’re right, they aren’t,” I leveled. “They are better.”
“You can’t mean that,” a second argued, shock filling their tone.
“While you have been hiding away, they have not only left their own kingdom but have come to fight for a kingdom that holds extreme prejudice and hatred for them,” I spat. “Even now, when they are trying to help you, you turn away because of your pride and stupidity. This is your final warning: you can either help or get the fuck out of the way. Things are changing, and if you don’t like it, then fuck off.”
My voice echoed through the space, and I could see the shock on the face of every single royal who had tried to groom me to take over the throne.
“They are a weak species,” my father managed, looking ashen.
A familiar voice echoed down the staircase, “To care is not weak, Deacon.”
Zurie.
Ama’s best friend had never been particularly friendly towards me, and with good reason. So as she walked down the stairs, I was concerned about how she would react to all of this. However, I was surprised to find her not only already in armor but glaring at the others with disgust.
“To work towards a better future that isn’t saturated with your bias is not weak,” she spat. “If you turn your back on Pura or ignore what occurs today, I will personally make sure you have no future in the change of the realm to come.”
Well said.
“Have the forces ready outside,” I ordered before walking back towards the door with the others, unsurprised when Zurie followed. I knew she wanted information about Ama.
“Where is she?”
Once outside, I turned to look at the woman and spoke honestly, “After the coup, Ama’s father transported us outside of Pura to a spot near the darklands. We traveled to the hybrid kingdom from there, and as we were returning here with the hybrid forces, Ama was taken from us.”
Zurie narrowed her eyes, “Taken? You let Ama just get taken? Listen, Drayven, you’ve always had your head up your ass when it comes to Ama, but you are also overbearing as fuck—and you just let her gettaken? I can’t believe this.”
“Bit more complicated than that,” I grunted.
“Who is this?” Colt asked, frowning.
“Who areyou?” Zurie arched her brow.
