Lienna.
I hastily got dressed, my mind racing different scenarios as I followed the soldier back to the throne room. The corridors seemed longer than I remembered, the silence between us oppressive. My heart refused to stop pounding in my chest, each beat echoing my growing anxiety.
As we approached the grand double doors, I took a deep breath, steeling my nerves. The soldier pushed the doors open, and I stepped forward, balling my hands into fists to hide my trembling.
I walked to the center of the room, my footsteps echoing off the stone floor. The shifter kings’ gazes immediately fell on me, their expressions unreadable.
I felt stilted under their scrutiny, but I continued forward, resolved to be brave. As I reached the center of the room, I greeted them with a respectful bow. “Your Majesties.”
Their response was murmured, their voices low and serious. I raised my head to meet their pensive gazes, searching for any clue as to why I’d been summoned. King Adonis eyes seemed to bore into my soul, while King Caspian’s expression was inscrutable.
What could have possibly happened? Had they discovered something about the darkness threatening the realm? Or was it something more personal? I pushed aside the thoughts, focusing on the present.
“You called on me, Your Majesties,” I said, my voice having a slight tremor to it. I tried to hide my nervousness, but the tension in the room was palpable.
“Indeed we did,” Caspian responded, his voice edged with a sharpness that made my heart skip a beat. I directed my gaze to the others, noting that their expressions weren’t any better. King Hermes eyes seemed to hold a deep concern, while King Adonis’s jaw was clenched, a storm brewing in his eyes.
“We have a lot to tell you, but first things first, how was the ritual?” Caspian asked, raising his brow. His gaze pierced through me and for a moment, I fumbled for words.
A tiny smile began to grow on my lips as I fisted my hands into my dress. “It was a success. I met with the moon goddess and she offered me her help.” I said, unable to hide the happiness from my voice, despite the ominous atmosphere.
Caspian’s expression remained grim. “Great, because it’s about to come in handy.” His voice was grave, sending a shiver down my spine.
“How so?” I asked, unable to help myself. When they all glanced at me, I bit my lips, but continued anyway. “Is it Veronica? Has she grown worse?” The thought of Veronica’s darkness spreading sent a chill through me but also filled me with a strange urge of bravery, knowing that this time around, I had a fair chance.
Adonis spoke up, his voice laced with his usual coldness and detachment. “No… It’s much worse.” He said, his words hovering in the air like an accident waiting to happen.
“Not only are we trying to catch her before she causes irreparable damage,” he continued, “but there have also been reports of a rebellion forming.”
I felt like I’d been punched in the gut. My eyes widened as I struggled to comprehend his words. When the reality finally settled, all the blood drained from my face, and I reeled backwards, my hand grasping for something to hold onto.
“A rebellion?” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “By whom?” My mind reeled with questions. Who would dare challenge the shifter kings? The room seemed to spin around me as I tried to process this new information. Veronica’s darkness was already a threat, but a rebellion? This changed everything.
Adonis’s eyes locked onto mine, his expression unyielding. “Oberon.” His words dropped like a bombshell, sending a ripple of tension through the room.
I furrowed my brows, the name causing me to grow confused. “Who’s Oberon?” I asked, my voice laced with uncertainty.
Majority of people don’t know much about him,” Hermes offered, glancing at the rest of the shifter kings. Their expressions darkened, the air of hostility swirling around them growing worse. “But he used to be very close to us, a fourth ruler, if you want to put it that way.” He said, a faraway expression on his face. But he blinked and it disappeared.
My curiosity was piqued. “So… What happened?” I pressed, my eyes darting between the shifter kings.
Caspian’s jaw clenched. “He had questionable ideals that could cause more harm than good if we let him continue. So, we banished him and haven’t heard from him since then.”
Adonis’s eyes blazed with dark fury, his teeth clenched. “To think this is what he’s been up to all these years…” He gritted, trailing off.
The weight of their emotions hung heavy in the air, making it hard to breathe. Fear coursed through me, my heart racing with every passing moment.
I swallowed hard, trying to gather my thoughts. My voice trembled as I asked, “So, what’s going to happen now?” I hated the weakness in my tone, but the shifter kings’ expressions softened slightly.
“Adonis and Hermes will go on an assignment to find out where Oberon is located and just how big his army is,” Caspian said, gesturing with his hands. His eyes locked onto mine, seriousness etched on his face. “You, on the other hand, will be training with me. You need to be up to date and ready for the inevitable.”
“Yes, Your Majesties,” I said, lowering my head, trying to hide the turmoil within me. My heart pounded in my chest, but I pushed aside my fears.
“Your training will begin soonest,” Caspian continued. “Until then, you can go now.” His words were dismissive, but I sensed a hint of concern beneath.
I bowed my head, thanking them one more time before turning to leave. As I walked out of the throne room, the weight of their expectations settled upon me as I made my way towards my room, still in shock.
Closing the door gently behind me, I trudged dazedly to the bed, laying down on it in a slump. So much had happened in such a short amount of time the ritual, the moon goddess’s power, Oberon’s rebellion… My mind reeled.
Throughout the day, I went through the motions, my thoughts constantly drifting back to the throne room. Questions swirled in my head: What would training with Caspian be like? Would I be able to harness the moon goddess’s power? Could we really stop Oberon?
Nighttime arrived, casting a dark shadow over my room as I laid in bed. Despite myexhaustion, sleep eluded me. Fear of the unknown gripped me, making my heart race.
I was scared of what the future held but I eventually resolved to be brave and promised to do my best once the training began. Satisfied with it, I closed my eyes and promptly fell into a much deserved sleep.