"Found them, your highness!" Thomas peaks out the door, and moments later….
"Father?!" I pop my head up from the table. He walks through the door dressed in full armor, something I've never seen him in. It gives him this "warrior" energy, like all of a sudden he's wearing his battle experience on his sleeve. As he walks in closer to us, his footsteps are heavy old wood.
"You disobeyed my order for you to stay put in the mansion." He looks at me. "How did the two of you know to come to this town?"
"I-William Hazel mentioned this place…" I mutter. "We thought it'd be a good spot to stop and rest. We didn't plan on staying-"
"William…? Why would- It doesn't matter. Let's get going, we shouldn't stay here." He turns and heads for the door.
"If I may, your highness," David bows. "Are you already aware of the situation?"
Father stops at the doorframe. Not even turning back to face David as he speaks, "the situation of my "knight squad," as you call yourselves being captured by our rival family? I'm very much aware, David."
"No, sir, I'm referring to William Hazel's death. Florence Hazel is now queen of Espin."
"His what?!" Father finally turns around. "By whose hand?"
"Alyssa's," David nods his head my way, both Father and Thomas trade glances before bursting out into laughter.
"Is this an attempt to lighten the mood?" Thomas asks. "Good job, David."
"I'm deadly serious," David continues, causing them to stop laughing and shift into confusion.
Father's attention turns to me and I ask Helen if he knows about the spell, or if she's in my head. She assures me that he doesn't but the way he's staring at me…it's like he's trying to fathom how I could've done such a thing. And of course, I have no answer for him if he asks. I can't exactly tell him that his mistress has decided to make my mind her temporary living space.
"I'm no mistress, and you're taking this surprisingly well. It's a trend with you." She replies.
"I make jokes when I'm uncomfortable and upset, believe me when I say, I am taking none of this well."
He walks over to me, his eyes squinted and his face puzzled. "How?" He simply asks. Unable to think of anything else; I turn over my hand and show him both seals on my palm. Next, I prepare myself for what's to come, I'll probably be disowned. My future dream of becoming queen…over. I'll probably be thrown into a holding cell where I live out the rest of my days arguing with my mo-….Helen. It doesn't even feel right when I try to force it. Sophia Valentine is my mother. I'm taken out of my thoughts by Father placing his hand on my cheek.
"My daughter," he smiles. "I always knew you'd turn out to be special."
What…?
"Come now," he heads for the door. "We may have an opportunity."
The feeling I have…it's underwhelming yet relieving. Confused, I run after him. "Father? Is that it? What about this seal on my hand?" I ask when I notice Brianna and Elijah standing outside alongside the rest of the knight squad. Behind them are about two hundred Valentine soldiers. A little over the standard rescue mission of this size, he was coming all along, another feeling of relief.
"There's nothing left to discuss," he says turning around to face me. "You're a Valentine, you're protected. Of course, I'll have to smooth things over with the council. But that's it."
Where is all of this coming from? He's being, dare I say, nice, kind…
"Your father is a pretender, darling. And I'm ashamed I fell for it all those years ago. The person he presented himself as to me was far from what he actually is. I didn't see the "Valentine," when I looked at him. I saw someone who was emotionally intelligent. Someone who made me feel seen, and understood. He was the first person in a long time to accept me for who I was. He took away the emptiness I felt during that period in my life. Although he belonged to the very thing I wished to destroy, I grew to love him….how naive was I? He pretends to care, listen, love…he manipulates. Now that you've shown your potential….all of a sudden you're a daughter to him."
Hearing someone who still feels like a stranger speak about him this way irritates me. It irritates me because she's right, and I didn't see it for myself.
"But he hates multi-seals," I say trying to distract myself from my thoughts. "Our soldiers kill multi-seals! Why would he treat me any differently?"
"You're mistaken. Your father fears multi-seals, your sister….that's hatred there."
I look over to Brianna and she won't even turn my way. When senses I'm looking at her, she turns away completely and strikes up a conversation with Lauriel. I sigh.
"She'll come around," Father says. "Give her time."
"Of course, David and you ran off together," Rose says as she and Elijah approach.
"We didn- never mind, Rose. I'm glad you're all safe," I go for a hug and she puts her hands up like she's repulsed.
"You could lose it any moment, I don't want to deal with that other woman," she says.
"What other woman?" Father asks.
Elijah throws his arm around my shoulder and pulls me in, putting me in a loose headlock. "I fell for a girl here in Epsin, Father, I apologize. I know that it's probably wrong to fall for someone belonging to an enemy kingdom. She could've been a spy, I'm a degenerate, I know. Anyway, Alyssa got upset with me and lost her mind, asking how I could possibly-"
"Please, Elijah," Father says putting his hands up much like Rose just did. "Every time you speak, I feel as if you're draining my life force." He turns away and walks over to Brianna and Lauriel.
"You're welcome," Elijah says, letting me go from his clutches. "The less he knows, the better. You just told him you're a witch. One thing at a time." He glares at Rose.
"Thanks, Elijah." I hug him from the side.
"So, is there a girl or not?!" Rose asks crossing her arms.
"Are you okay...?" He sarcastically replies.
"Everyone, huddle up!" Father suddenly shouts. He finds a nearby bench to stand on that elevates him above the crowd forming as everyone walks in closer. "David just provided some information that changes the nature of this mission. An opportunity has risen. William Hazel is dead, he was killed by my own daughter, Alyssa." He smiles.
Whispers spread throughout everyone gathered like a wave. All eyes are on me, judgemental yet curious eyes. Father holds his hand up in a fist and it quickly dies down.
"The changing of a crown is always a pivotal moment," he continues. "It presents an opportunity to show what type of king, or queen that new person will be. Will they hold their ground? Or cower beneath all the pressure? Unfortunately, since this was a rescue mission, we don't have enough men. So, we make them a proposition! It's time Valentine traditions change."
He's not going to say what I think he is….?
"We've been trying to suppress a war, and power that we were never meant to. It doesn't matter how skillful you all are with your seals. Nothing will ever compare to the pure destruction these beings can cause. You've all seen what they're capable of doing. Two of them! Wiping out our entire defenses in the first three Districts. My proposition is simple: the Hazel's must relinquish control of Espin and turn over their multi-seal army. Or, we return with the full force of the Valentine."
"You plan on executing every soldier in that army, correct?" Brianna steps forward.
"No, I do not. We will use it to our benefit."
"Father! What is this nonsense?! They are a danger to society, they always will be. How do you plan on controlling that? What's this sudden change?" Her gaze moves to me.
"Watch your tone and what you say to me," Father replies as the beams of sunlight surrounding us magnetize to him. He's able to reflect light off of the sun in any manner he pleases. The greater the intensity, the greater the flare, and the greater chance of total blindness.
"I explained the change. Our family will no longer think in such narrow-minded ways." He finishes
"Is this really necessary, Father?" I chime in. "You're starting a war against an enemy we don't have much intel on. We don't know what that army is capable of."
"And that's exactly why we need them. I appreciate the input from the two of you but my plan is set."
"Hazel soldier!" Our men suddenly yell and point to the left of us. Hiding behind one of the nearby buildings is a woman in a Hazel military uniform.
"I've come on behalf of the queen!" She nervously shouts.
Our soldiers get even rowdier and take steps in her direction. Father silences them, stepping down from the bench with a closed fist. He walks through the soldiers until he's front and center.
"Where is your queen?" He gleefully shouts.
Florence steps from behind the building opposite the soldier. By her side is a tall man, who looks to be about Elijah's age, dressed in an all-black military uniform and a yellow beret. Strangely, he's wearing earplugs. Florence looks her usual uninterested way, even in a moment like this.
"Just the person I wanted to see! Hiding behind buildings are we? How'd you find us?" Father asks as they come within a few feet of us.
"We were following Alyssa Valentine when we spotted your army," Florence says. "I don't want any bloodshed at the moment, that can wait. What a wonderful proposition by the way, what might've caused such a sudden change in the Valentine power, I wonder?" She looks at me.
"The reason is irrelevant. So, you've heard the proposition. What's your response?" Father asks. "And before you answer, I'd like to inform you that your mole is dead. One of my own lords, Alejandro, he's the one who got that witch and warlock into our districts, correct?"
"Alejandro is dead…?! This bastard!" Helen says with an accompanied feeling of her trying to gain control. I can feel her wanting to lunge at Father. It nearly causes me to fall over before I regain balance. It's getting harder for me to contain her, it could also be the result of us still being low on aura though, so I won't panic.
"You knew Alejandro?" I ask, remembering how he looked at me when we first met. Like he'd been waiting to meet me his entire life.
"He was my student," Helen says. "David failed to mention that the day I was banished from The Coven, both Alejandro and Charlotte chose to leave with me."
"Alejandro's dead, huh?" Florence says while looking to the sky. It doesn't matter now that I'm queen. The way I see it...we have all the leverage here. You're not a threat anymore," she laughs, her eyes falling down to look at Father. "Your family was so stuck in "tradition," fears, and an outdated mindset. That you were correct on. But, everything else? Did you expect me to cower in fear? The previous generation, so prideful, and arrogant...you're all jokes. Different in your own way, but jokes nonetheless.
Her eyes shift over to me. "I see the weak one is back in control. I've been thinking about this while we were chasing you down. I've already gotten what I needed, and why continue to depend on you when you can't even stay in control?"
"This damn child!" Helen growls.
"A deal…? What is she talking about, Alyssa?" Father turns to me.
When I fail to answer, Florence continues: "Doesn't matter now," she sighs. "But, i'll offer you my proposition. Neither of us wants to fight right now. So, I'm letting you all leave freely for now. Just know that we're threatening war against every family. None of you can handle my army. My father was too weak to proceed, I am not. The Hazel will be the only thing left when I'm finished.
Brianna steps forwards, coating herself in aura and the man at Florence's side aims his palm her way. Suddenly what seems to be waves of sound emit from his hand. Each individual wave makes a pulsating whooshing sound. While everyone else is unaffected, The blue aura around Brianna disappears as she falls to her knees while shielding her ears.
"Good time to introduce my General, Nicholas." Florence smiles. "Two wind seals if you can believe it. Allows him to alter sound waves by manipulating the surrounding air. And on that note... run, Valentine. Flee for now and enjoy your peace will I grant it." Her delicate smile turns into an awful grin.