Page 69 of Secrets of Avalon

I scoff and look away, my gaze skittering across the room, desperate to land on anything but the piercing blue of Isolde's eyes. "I hurt people. I can't do anything."

Isolde leans closer. "You make my son happy. He loves you. I can see it in his eyes. He thinks you have the missing piece of his soul inside you."

I touch my chest, just above my heart, my fingers trembling against the smooth fabric of the gown. "He says he can see it inside me." The words escape my lips in a hushed breath. "I can't see it."

"He's struggling with control over the darkness inside him. He thinks his father and I don't know that Ares is slipping them all ambrosia." Isolde's face grows solemn, her words falling like stones in still water.

She knows Hawke is struggling. Of course she does. I could never hide anything from my mother either.

Fear catches fire inside me, burning through my hesitation. "Nimue said he'll be executed if they find out he's losing control." I take Queen Isolde's hands, my fingers curling around hers. "He's not dangerous. I promise. I–"

"I would never turn in my own son. His father and I would destroy anyone who tried to hurt him." Isolde's eyes flash with intensity, her stance transforming into that of a lioness protecting her cub, a queen defending her child. She slows, relaxes, and tucks a loose piece of my hair behind my ear. The gesture is so intimate, so familiar, that it steals my breath for a completely different reason.

“But the councilman–” I cut myself off, the words dying on my lips. I don’t know whether telling her Darkwood sent an assassin is too far. Accusing someone like him could be more dangerous than keeping it to myself.

I can ask Kellan. Siva's voice filters through my panicked thoughts.

Yes.

"We were trying to make a strong political move for our family with the betrothal to Darkwood's daughter. But Theon and I didn't realize…" Isolde pauses, her gaze turning inward, a veil of pain and regret settling over her delicate features. "Hawke tried to tell us and we didn't listen. But after what we witnessed earlier, we understand now."

Elen and Lydia guide me few feet to a cushioned stool. As soon as I settle onto the seat, they begin to work on my hair. Elen weaves intricate braids and Lydia pins it. It’s a perfectly synchronized team and in no time at all, my hair is completely up off my neck.

Once Elen and Lydia finish with my hair, the queen beckons to one of her maids, who steps forward with a glistening golden box, the surface intricately carved with swirling patterns and ancient symbols. The maid opens it to reveal a breathtaking golden chain with a large dewdrop ruby pendant and a set of matching earrings, the gems gleaming like captured fire in the soft light of the room.

Isolde traces her fingers along the edge of the golden box. "These blood rubies have been in the Stormblood family for thousands of years." Her words are hushed, almost reverent.

"They are too much. I–" I start to protest, my hands raised in a futile gesture of refusal, but Isolde silences me with a gentle touch, her fingers cool against my lips.

"They are yours now." She tips my chin up, forcing me to meet her gaze, to see the unwavering determination, the unshakable belief, that burns within their depths. "This is important to me. Are you going to offend me by not accepting this gift?"

"No! I would never want to offend you, it's just–" The words tumble from my lips, a rushed and jumbled mess.

"Good." Isolde takes the necklace from its velvet-lined box and fastens it around my neck. The chain settles against my collarbone with the pendant cradled between my breasts.

I’m wearing a family heirloom, a symbol that the family has claimed me as their own. Not just Hawke.

This is real.

Kellan says they told Theon about the assassin. You can tell Isolde. Siva's voice echoes in my mind once more.

A small sigh of relief escapes me, some of the tension easing from my shoulders. But how do I tell her? And when? Those are the new questions plaguing me.

Isolde hands me an earring, the ruby catching the light and throwing a dazzling array of crimson and gold across my skin. I put them on, my fingers trembling slightly, my heart pounding in my chest with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.

This is so real. He’s really going to announce we’re to be married.

I do believe so.

"Perfect. They look beautiful on you." Queen Isolde clasps her hands together in front of her face, her smile wide and genuine, a radiant expression of joy and approval that warms me from the inside out.

I have to tell her. I have to ruin this moment. I can’t wait.

"Darkwood tried–" I take a deep breath, my lungs expanding with the weight of the words. "He sent–" I falter, the confession sticking in my throat.

Isolde's brow furrows, a flicker of concern darting across her delicate features. She steps closer, taking my hands once more in hers, her grip firm and reassuring. "What did he do?"

“A woman snuck into my room this morning and tried to kill me. She claimed Darkwood sent her.”