Page 36 of Fate of the Fallen
My stomach rolled with fear, but I imagined it wouldalwaysbe that way. I would always feel like I was inadequate to fill the role I was destined to fill. However, that was no longer a sufficient excuse. Fear was not a good enough reason to hide when our people needed hope, needed direction.
“I’ll do it,” I volunteered.
Every single eye turned my way, but I didn’t let that intimidate me. Instead, I stepped forward, coming from behind Liam where I’d chosen to stand when this conversation began. Now, front and center, I fought the urge to shrink into the shadows again, but instead of giving in, I clasped my hands together.
You’re queen.
You’re queen.
I repeated this to myself like a mantra and, surprisingly enough, each time the words left my mouth, I believed it a little more.
“Most of them don’t even know my face,” I began. “If I passed them on the street, I could blend in and no one would even think twice. But … maybe it’s time I step up. Time I stop fighting who and what I really am.” I glanced around at my family and said more. “I want to be the queen they deserve. I can’t do that if I’m afraid to even acknowledge it.”
Whereas, I had started out hoping for input as to whether the others thought this was a good idea or not, I had decided all on my own.
“I’ll address them tomorrow night. I’m ready. They’re ready.”
The expressions around the room were a mashup, but I didn’t focus on them. My ability to lead could not be contingent on who did or didn’t believe in me—family or not. It had to come from within. And while, on the outside, I hadn’t quite found the confidence required to do the job, I had certainly found it on the inside.
My time to lead was here and now … and no one could take that away from me.
Chapter Eleven
Nick
Chipped paint and barred windows—my new surroundings.
The smell of standing water and filth nearly overpowered every other scent I detected. All except the mix of lycans and witches. I felt them all around, like a million eyes set on me from every direction despite not being able to focus on any of the looming figures I caught glimpses of.
I blinked, but things weren’t any clearer. I had no choice but to lie there, waiting for my senses to align.
“I implore you, Your Highness. Please consider this beautiful creature before you a peace offering.”
I still didn’t have a visual, but I knew that voice well. It was the witch from the cell beside mine. The one who’d taken a stone to my head and dragged me God-knows-where for a purpose I hadn’t completely figured out yet. All I knew was she seemed to hope someone considered me valuable enough to use as a bargaining chip.
Hard-soled shoes echoed against the cement floor, coming closer. I made out a dark frame—tall and wiry. The figure stooped beside me, crouching only a foot or so away, and it was then that the fog cleared.
The Sovereign, with Blaise following close behind.
Both knew the moment I became aware, prompting two wide grins to part their thin lips.
“Pleasure to see you again, friend,” Sebastian groaned.
I hurried to sit upright, thinking I’d get to my feet the next instant, but … no, that didn’t happen.
I yelled out in pain, feeling the burn of what could only be described as a searing-hot knife burrowing deep inside my skull. I fell to my knees again, clinging to the floor.
“There, there,” Sebastian said, his calm tone contrasting my own pain. “We can’t have you running wild now, can we? Just to be on the safe side, I’ve had my witches make certain you mind your manners during your stay.”
He paused a moment, staring down on me like some sort of science exhibit, and then addressed his son. “Do you think he enjoyed our gift?”
The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end as I realized whatgifthe spoke of—the bodies, hundreds he’d murdered just to taunt me.
“I’d say it did the trick,” Blaise agreed, nonchalantly polishing a long, curved blade from where he leaned against a wall. “Looks like it brought the beast right out of him. Just like you said it would,” he concluded.
Maniacal bastard …
I had Sebastian’s attention again. “Now we only need to send out a team to confirm he’s done what he was born to do. If we’re lucky, he took care of our little problem and Elise is mourning her daughter as we speak … all one-thousand pieces of her,” he added with a twisted laugh.