But just as soon as it had started, he slammed to a stop, his ribs bruising with the impact. Dots danced in front of his vision, threatening to bring him into unconsciousness.
Groaning, he rolled over, cursing, questioning not for the first time if it was worth using this passage. Coughing, Adair dragged his body, scraping across the cold rock, his arms shaking.
A voice boomed underneath him, and he smirked, blood pooling in his mouth. He listened, stilling his body as Roque continued. “Thank you all for coming on such short notice.”
Shimmying faster, Adair was met with a small overhang, looking down to the now full dining hall below. Chest heaving, he settled in, having a complete view of his classmates and teachers, their chatter dying down instantly at the sound of their leader’s voice.
Adair devoured the scene hungrily, his gaze landing on the four figures standing at the front of the hall.
Roque was dressed in a deep blue jacket, the rest of his wear black, enhancing his proud features. Emory stood beside him, her black hair glistening, swept back and pinned so it tumbled down her back. She wore a simple dress, a matching royal blue, the fabric sweeping down from her waist, creating the illusion of churning water. He was frozen as he took in her turned mouth, her gaze plastered to the floor in front of her. Beside them, Tadeas stood, his broad chest puffed out, his traveling attire now changed into a simple brown suit, his pale emerald hair tied back, enhancing his sharp features.
Adair’s hands curled tightly into fists, his breath coming in fast gulps. Before, the Isles were treated with wary and caution, and now? Now an allegiance was forming before his eyes. Marquis stood by his father’s side, having not changed since Adair saw him last, his deep emerald hair unruly, his indifference evident. A flash of admiration flared in his chest for the strange boy.
He wasn’t the only one who didn’t want his family name to dictate his future.
Adair became entranced as Roque said, “First, I must apologize for the abrupt change in your schedules. I wanted everyone here to be the first to know before I send my message to Sarthaven. The tides in our world are starting to change, and I must accept my duty in building this government and school, by accepting my fate. The Academy was my vision, along with my wife’s, to have a safe place to teach our children not to fear their gifts. That abilities didn’t create monsters. That just because we were different, didn’t mean it was wrong. My father was a proud and vicious man who brainwashed our world into thriving in our differences, to believe that the weak should be punished, to become our slaves, our lessers.
In my arranged marriage, I was wed to a fearless woman, who at first loathed me, being connected to the son of a man who had shackled her people, the people from the Shattered Isles, to a husband who was too scared to allow my wife to bear the weight of my greatest secret.” His eyes swept the crowd. “We witnessed war, bloodshed, the world tearing itself apart with a wild magic that was uncontained, and no one cared. But against all odds, we started to trust one another. We shared a vision, of a world at peace. And I dared to trust her with my secret, that I, a Fae, was a desolate.”
Roque took a shuddering breath, peeking down at Emory, a sad smile tugging at his lips. “We stood up to my father’s council as you all know. We broke away and changed our future and the history of Kiero. You all also know the story of how Nei was my strength through the dark days ahead of us, as we arranged a Peace Treaty with the Isles and broke away from the capital, forming the first democratic government.” He paused and the crowd shifted in the silence.
“It is a sad day today, as I must be honest with you. I have failed, in my dream, in my vision of fairness and equality. Peace has been a fleeting thing, something that we have been able to grasp here, but beyond our borders? There are still so many people who believe in the old ways of my father’s reign. The people of Kiero have been suffering, and I have too long ignored that state of our world.” Another pause.
“May I introduce to you all Tadeas Maher, and his son, Marquis Maher, King and Prince from the Shattered Isles. They have come with the sad news my wife’s father has passed, and they are here, with their company, as our guests while we negotiate our terms.” Roque’s voice hung, allowing the weight to settle.
Emory shot a sharp glare at Marquis, who raised his eyebrows in response, making Emory glower.
Clearing his throat, Roque’s voice dragged them all back into their reality. “Today marks the end of our democratic society, and I ask you, my students, my friends, my family, to accept me as your rightful King. Together, we can rebuild our world, escape this hovering darkness of war, and enter a true era of peace.”
He lowered himself to one knee before the crowd, causing ripples of unease to grow amongst them. Laying a hand across his chest, his voice turned gravelly, “I promise you all that I will not fall into my father’s mistakes. I will never forget our safety or to turn deaf ears to you. I will never betray you or lead you astray. A threat has become clear to me, and as King, I will stop it with help from Tadeas. Kiero will flourish and prosper. No dream will be too big, no alliance too obscure. It is time to set our differences aside and unite Kiero as one.”
He stood, eyes blazing. “My wife and her team are already chasing after a man I trusted
