Chapter 25
(Zion’s POV)
A beavy silence followed Zelda’s question.
I watched as a flicker of emotion passed through Father’s eyes. He swallowed hard, then reached across the table to hold Mother’s hand like he needed some comfort. The Queen’s fingers curled around his, and although she tried to hide it, I saw her blink quickly, pushing back a tear.
It was Mother who finally spoke.
“We don’t know when she’ll be back,” she said softly, her voice almost breaking.
Zelda leaned back in her chair, her eyes also glassy. “It’s been years, and I miss her. She always avoids me in school like I’m a stranger
Father’s lips pressed into a thin line, but he nodded. “We miss her too, every day. Your mother and I have pleaded with the Council again and again to let us have her back, but they won’t agree.”
Zelda’s hands curled into fists on the table. “But you’re the king!” she burst out. “Doesn’t that mean anything? You can just tell them to bring her back!
Father didn’t snap. He just sighed along, tired sigh that carried years of weight,
“I am the king, Zelda,” he said gently, “but I’m not a dictator. 1 lead, yes, but I don’t rule by fear.. and the elders, they still carry pain from the past.” I knew exactly what he meant.
Everyone in our kingdom had heard the stories. King Pison, Lily’s father, was the darkest part of our history. Even though he’d been gone for years, the scars he left hadn’t faded. I’d grown up hearing the stories. The scrolls, and paintings in the palace held illustrations of the evil he did.
The man had summoned Hades himself, and tortured his own people. His men dragged innocents to dungeons, chaining them in silver, and dosing them with wolfsbane until they went crazy Young girls were taken, and molested. Many were never the same and through it all, Pison reigned, his madness cloaked in power,
Until my father, chosen by the Moon Goddess, and with Mother at his side, ended the evil King’s reign. The kingdom celebrated, but not without fear because prophecy said Hades would return through Pison’s seed
Liiy.
Zelda’s voice broke me from the dark memory. “They’re afraid of her, aren’t they?” she said quietly.
Father gave a small nod, and Zelda slumped in her seat, all the anger draining out of her
Then the attention shifted to me.
“Zion.” Father said, and 1 felt his gaze pin me down. “What happened at school?
My chest tightened, and Ragnar cowered from the wave of my father’s fury. For a moment, I panicked. What had the principal told him? “L” I straightened in my set. I lost control.
Father’s expression darkened. “Why You haven’t lost control in years. The last time was
“When Lily was taken,” Mother’s voice cut in softly.
Father nodded, his eyes fixed on me. “That night was chaotic. But I trained you, we worked on Ragnar’s discipline together. So what really happened?”
I dropped my gaze. “I thought I was, I murmured. “But we just snapped:
“Why?” His voice was firm, “What could’ve possibly triggered that level of rage!”
Thesitated. “Maybe it was because of a misunderstanding I had with Lucien.”
His brow lifted, but the silence was loud enough.
My mother exhaled softly, “We’ll have to visit Lucien and his mother to apologize. It’s only right that we do that
“I know.” I said, the guilt already eating me up. Tim sorry.”
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11:16 AM σ c
Chapter 25
Another silence settled over us, then Zelda leaned forward. “Dad, can I ask you a question?” she said quietly.
Father nodded.
She glanced between him and me, as if weighing her words carefully, “On what grounds can a royal go against the Council’s decision? Is their mate a solid reason to rebell”
Mom looked at her sharply, and Father’s fingers steepled beneath his chin as he studied her.
“Yes, and that wouldn’t be rebelling as the Council knows better than to disregard the Moon Goddess‘ will”
His words made me swallow hard, my heart thudded heavily in my chest. Father’s gaze then shifted to me “Did you lose control because of your mate Was it because of Celeste?”
I tried to speak, but it came out more like a croak. Zelda stared blankly at me
“Zion?” he asked again, and I gulped, unable to say a word. How do I answer his question and tell my parents that Celeste isn’t my mate but Lily.
How d
Zelda grouped beside me, and palmed her face. “This is exhausting, she muttered under her breath. She shook her head and sighed. “Dad, Mom. pending when the Council changes their minds, can Lily at least come to stay with us for a few days?” she asked. The air in the room just felt hotter, Lcouldn’t breathe.
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