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“In light of this attack, I think we should solidify the court and have a coronation for our queen,” the Minister of Infrastructure said, standing to his feet. “We need to make political connections in Voltaire, not just Tobran. The queen needs to be recognized and supported throughout the territories.”He was a tall, dark-skinned man with hair shorn to his scalp. He had to be around forty years old, and like the Minister of Administration, he was serious. It was why I’d chosen the both of them—they had previously worked together in similar positions in the Obsidian Valley. While they had not been ministers, they were high-ranking with vast expertise. Both had a letter from Ellestria Culp highlighting their qualifications and giving her blessing to them as they embarked on their journey back home to Onyx Rah.“What are you suggesting?” Bindi asked the minister as she looked at me. “When you say you want to solidify the inner workings of our court?”“The queen must be crowned and named
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“I’ll guard her with my life for the rest of my days,” Bindi replied. “And thank you, Lex, for working with the troops. They are in the best shape they’ve ever been. When you return—if you return—I’m positive I’ll have more for you to train.” She looked at me with a hopeful smile, and again, I felt like I was abandoning them.“Keep me updated with your military progress,” I said. “You can send messages through the troops, and I’ll get word. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. Just use your airship if there’s an emergency. Get Aria away from Polonius at the first sign of trouble.”Onyx Rah had one airship, which was being used daily to bring in supplies for the encampments from Angeline Falls and the Obsidian Valley. The vehicles Lara Goldlace had gifted Onyx Rah were also being used to transport soldiers to their posts.Bindi knew that I meant for her to drop everything and rescue Aria from Polonius, above all things.“I warn you, Lex, don’t do any kind of investigation witho
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“Halo left?” That wasn’t good news.“Yes, almost immediately after bringing him,” Cheyenne said, giving me a confused glance. “Why?”“She’s not been seen back in the castle at Onyx Rah.” I shook my head as my worry spiked.“Do you trust her?” Of course, Cheyenne asked the first question I would.“I don’t trust anyone but Aria. So, no. However, she doesn’t strike me as the type to do something risky like liberate Amadeus, then turn around and betray Onyx Rah. ”Halo would never have put her heart and soul into raising a kingdom, just to betray it.“It’s strange that she’s missing, though,” Cheyenne commented, pondering the mystery of Halo’s disappearance.“When Amadeus recovers, we’ll have his support in fighting Polonius. That will account for something.” I hoped we were making the right decisions.“Here’s hoping he recovers quickly because we’re going to need something soon,” Cheyenne said. “The ports have been under constant attack for several nights now, and we’re exhausting our ma
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Chapter 29Aria“And what of the coronation?” the Minister of Administration asked. “We need you crowned queen. The longer we go without an established sovereign, the more vulnerable we are to take over.” The short man with a grim countenance had a point.“We’re waiting for Halo,” I said. “Bindi and Sire are trying to find her. I must have my beta here before I can make any decisions. Halo, Sire, Bindi, and myself are the final word. I must consult with them before we move forward with any plans. I’m sorry to keep you waiting, but we have people out looking for her now.”I was in the newly decorated Grand Salon, where I would meet with my beta, mage, and head of the Royal Guard, and, on occasion, other advisors such as the Ministry of Administration. While I understood the minister’s intentions to be well-meaning, he was a frustrating man to relate to because he was relentless. The fact that Halo couldn’t be found, however, was deeply worrying, all the more so because the minister’s u
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Chapter 30LexI tried working with Amadeus to access his memories and restore his spirit, but he was so lost to the chaos of his own mind. I hoped his amnesiac state was only temporary. It was strange that he had retained some of his memories, but not all. He referred to me as if I was still a child, even calling me by my father’s name on occasion.“Come on now, Helix, don’t indulge the boy,” he scolded me as I brought him into his workshop. “With the queen pregnant, you can’t have him running about like a wild stallion. He might topple her over in the halls unexpectedly.”I led him to where a comfortable bed had been arranged for him.“Prince Cheyenne was born twenty-one years ago,” I said, trying to jar Amadeus’s memory and remind him of where he was. But whenever I did, he just looked at me as if I was the crazy one.Then, as if things weren’t bad enough, my wolf felt that Aria was in dire distress. Every nerve and muscle in my body had pulled taught, and I stilled my mind to try
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“You shouldn’t have.” Amadeus looked taken aback. “One must drink the potion from the vial,” he scoffed, holding the cup out at arm’s length.“Does it matter?” I said with an arrogant nonchalance.“It might change the potion’s properties.” Amadeus shook his head in disgust.“I’m so sorry,” I said, sounding contrite. “There’s another one, but that would be it. I guess if you needed to see her again, you wouldn’t be able to.” I was starting to shake, knowing Aria was in trouble, but that I was still a long way away from her.“Ack, incompetence. Why do I need a mage assistant? You’re useless. I’m perfectly fine on my own.” With that, Amadeus drank the contents of the cup.I’d never told Amadeus I was his assistant, but he must have assumed I was. In any case, the ruse worked well enough for me to assess his condition. Within a few minutes, Amadeus fell back on the bed, and I covered him with the duvet before I left his workshop in search of Nan. When I found her in the nursery with the c
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“No,” I shot back. “You’re mistaken. I signed a treaty that said I wouldn’t hide Aria in Navarrah City. It didn’t say anything about what Aria could do in her own kingdom. Polonius has no jurisdiction over her lands.” I seethed as I tried to get Aria away from him.“For the crimes of treason against Brahman’s Peak, Tobran, and the Warlord Polonius for theft of classified documents and the attempt to seduce and kidnap his intended spouse, I sentence you to death.”But just as Sire made his accusations, Bindi broke free of the guard holding her. The guard had momentarily shifted his focus to Sire, and Bindi used his instant of bemusement to kick him in the balls with the heel of her shoe. He let out a loud grunt, freeing her to escape and attack Sire.I didn’t wait a second longer. I hoisted Aria over my shoulder and ran as the guards took off after me.Onyx Rah Royal Guards appeared from hiding places around the kingdom as I ran as fast as I could toward the castle. There, Aria had a w
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I wasn’t giving up, but giving in. I had to regain my strength. I needed to try another strategy—fighting and magic weren’t leading us anywhere. So, I walked to the door as Lex lunged for me. I used the last of my energy to hold him back with magic, and I opened the door to face Sire.“I don’t want anyone to die,” I told the mage in a somber tone.“I know,” was all he said as he opened the door wider, and guards moved inside the workshop.I had spelled the workshop against anyone whom I didn’t want in there so Lex could be there, but so could Sire. I’d truly never thought he would betray us. I’d believed in him, and learned just how I I’ve been with his treason.I focused my mind on conjuring up a stronghold of protection that no one could pass. I had to keep Lex safe, and I only thought of Cheyenne and Gabrielle as trustworthy enough to release him.I felt the burn in my veins and knew the magic worked. As soon as the soldiers approached the door, they were zapped and burned by magic
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