Caldina closes her eyes, a pained look crossing her face before quickly vanishing. She catches me staring at her. "I wasn't going to tell Wesley, it wasn't my place to tell him."
Drustan doubles over laughing. "Do you actually believe that this fire-wielding witch is going to help you? I'm surprised no one told you, Wesley. Who do you think struck your mother down? This witch killed your mother, and yet here you stand defending her. Oh you poor defenseless boy."
I close my eyes waiting for the yelling to start when the throne room is quiet for several seconds. I take a peek and Wesley is stock-still just staring at our father.
"Wesley," I breathe, scared to wake the beast that is waiting to jump.
"King Malcolm, you have two decisions to make, either accept our help, or don't, because those are my people out there and I will die before I let anything happen to them," Wesley says, before turning on his heels and stalking out of the throne room.
I watch him go, tears pooling in my eyes. Caldina just stands there staring at nothing.
"I knew," is all I say, giving her the confirmation she wants before I leave to find Wesley.
"Juliana!" Rowan calls after me, but I ignore him and push through the crowd towards the doors. I rush into the hallway, trying to remember the way to the front door.
All of a sudden I hear the screech of a falcon. Looking out the window I spot a falcon aiming for the window I'm standing at. It banks at the last minute and barely misses the window. As it cries again, I run down the hallway trying to spot it. For some odd reason I know it wants me to follow it. Spotting a balcony at the end of the hallway, I rush towards it and yank open the doors. The falcon flies through the door and lands on a beam near the ceiling.
"Alright, here I am. So where to next, boy?" I ask. It cries and begins to fly through the halls. I race after it, up the stairs and to a door. I yank it open, and the falcon flies over my head and into a bedroom.
"Okay, why did you lead me here?"
The falcon lets out a cry, and then there is a sudden flash of light. I close my eyes and look away.
"Can I ask why you left in secret?" A voice asks.
"Anya!" I cry.
"Answer my question, Juliana."
"It was the only way," I said softly.
"The only way to what?" she asks.
"The only way to get the king to agree, besides we wanted to keep you and Cole away from you father," I answer, handing her a brush.
"I know how to handle my father," Anya says, quickly braiding her hair.
"I know you did, but he's changed. He's more impatient and silent."
"Silent?"
"Yes, as in he doesn't like to talk."
Just then the door opens. "Oh!" a maid stops mid step when her gaze lands on Anya.
"Lianna move..."
A woman pushes forward: Lady Scarlett.
"I know I'm a shifter, mother," Anya says, curtsying.
"I have no doubt you do, Anya. I know this isn't a dream, so does someone want to tell me what's going on?"
"Cole's alive," I say weakly, flinching under Lady Scarlett's gaze.
"I guessed that."
"We had to mother."
"I assumed so. Lianna, grab my husband and tell him it's urgent," Lady Scarlett commands.
"Yes, my lady." Lianna exits.
Scarlett walks into the room and surveys it. "I was thinking about going through your clothes and getting rid of them, but I see now that won't be necessary." Again she gives us both a look. I used to be terrified of Lady Scarlett, but now that I've met people like Levindal and Caldina, I'm not as scared of her. Believe me, though, she is not someone you want to get on the bad side of.
"Juliana, you must change out of those dirty traveling clothes! To think my husband just let you walk in the presence of the king like that."
"You mean the presence of my father?" I correct. "Let's be honest, we all know Lord Drustan is the real king." I state, sitting on the bed to take off my riding boots.
"If your father wants to, he can have you hauled over to your fiance and marry you before the day is over," Lady Scarlett snaps back. "Your father is not someone you want to make mad at the moment, girls."
Almost four years have passed since the last time I saw her and we're still little girls to her.
"Wrong, mother," Anya says.
"Excuse me," Lady Scarlett snaps.
Anya cringes, then straightens. "Maybe you didn't hear correctly, mother, but you are standing in the presence of Princess Juliana of Havran, Daughter of Rain, Master of River, and Mate to Prince Rowan of Sorhar."
I stand up taller, and Lady Scarlett momentarily cringes.
"You're Prince Rowan's mate?" she breathes. I nod once. "That explains the over protectiveness in the courtroom." I raise my eyebrows. "You had your back to him, but everyone could see that he was glaring daggers at your father, not to mention baring his canines," she explains airily.
"Canines?" Anya asks.
"His sharp fangs. Canines is just another word for that. Now, Princess Juliana, you go bathe."
I lay my hand on her arm. "I'm still just 'Juliana'."
"No, you're not. You're wiser and smarter, not to mention stronger physically and mentally. I don't like to say it but this winter in the woods did you well. Did both of you well." Lady Scarlett says before letting herself out.
"That could have gone worse," I reflect. Anya nods, lost in thought.
YOU ARE READING
Broken, but Not Defeated
Fantasy3 siblings must band together to destroy their psychopathic aunt. Who would rather see them dead than alive. They must make allies with old enemies. Read as Witches, Fae, Doryukans, and humans come together to destroy a common enemy. Although the ou...
