“She’s lost touch with reality,” Max added. “And she needs to be stopped.”
“So, we met this morning,” Royce said quietly, his eyes on me. “And decided that we have to put aside our differences for the greater good. And you are that greater good, pauper.”
I couldn’t comprehend their words. I was the greater good? They wanted to fight the headmistress? “Why?”
“She can’t get away with this,” Arthur stated, his voice harsh. “She’s pushed us too far and we want to help you fight her.”
I was floored. I knew that the kings hadn’t been getting along and for them to want to help me, together, was amazing. “I don’t know what to say.”
Arthur stepped forward, kneeling before me. “The house de Bourbon pledges to fight with the Kameno household.”
Before I could even respond, Royce knelt next to Arthur, placing his fist over his heart. “The Whitehalls pledge to fight with the Kameno household.”
Max did the same, his eyes glowing with anger. “The Karlings pledge to fight with the Kameno household.”
All three kings kneeling before me in solidarity. If I wasn’t seeing it myself, I wouldn’t have believed it. “I, um … thanks?”
“Oh my God,” Johanna said, holding up her phone. “This is so blackmail for later. The kings on their knees because of a woman.”
I swallowed the emotion in my throat. “What now?”
They all rose, their jaws clenched. “We really don’t have a plan,” Max shrugged.
Johanna burst into laughter. “You don’t have a plan?”
“It’s going to be fine,” I offered. “And I am completely grateful all the same.” With the kings’ backing, things were looking up.
**
Two weeks went by before I had a chance to contemplate my options. I went to my classes like normal, catching a glimpse of Isauros at least once on my way. She met my gaze coolly, her expression not betraying what she thought about my option to live instead of giving in to suicide. I desperately wanted to know what was going through her mind, but I stayed out of her path regardless, not wanting to draw any more attention from her.
It wasn’t until there was a rumor of Weissmore closing early due to weather that a thought occurred to me. An idea started to form so I quickly texted the group, asking them to meet me in the freshman commons area after supper.
When the kings entered, my heart started a slow thud in my chest. Lord, they were too good- looking for their own good and when they were together, it was nearly too much to take in.
Johanna kicked me under the table, and I closed my mouth as they approached, taking the available chairs at the table. “So,” Royce said, his lips lifting in amusement. “What’s up, pauper?”
I drew in a breath. “I’ve decided to travel to England and see my mom’s grave.”
He nodded, as if he knew I was going to do it all along. “I will arrange for us to stay at my country estate. We can leave tonight.”
I looked around the table. “I want all of us to go.” They were the closest thing I had to friends and if we were truly going to band together against Isauros, I didn’t want to leave anyone behind.
“I’m in,” Johanna piped up.
“Me too,” Max said, giving me a nod.
Arthur continued to stare at me, his jaw clenched. “Are you sure you want to do this, Anna? It’s not going to give you anything other than more sadness.”
I lifted my chin. “It will give me closure to know where she has her final resting place. I would like to talk to her.”
No one laughed at my words, which made me feel good about my decision. I wanted to see where my mother was, to have a conversation with her, though one-sided, and let her know that I was going to avenge her death and what she had gone through with my father. I wanted to tell her that I was going to come out of this stronger than ever and that she could rest in peace knowing I was okay.
Then and only then would I move forward with the next step in my life.
Chapter 22
Anna
Royce managed to get us a last-minute private jet to fly us to his home country. I caught some sleep on the plane, too nervous to talk to anyone. I was going to see my mother. This was the right thing to do. Seeing her in the ground would close the chapter of me trying to find her and help me heal from what I had learned about her life.
She had kept me alive, and for that I was going to give her everything I could in turn.
I barely noticed the English countryside as the SUV bounced over the small roads cutting through rolling meadows, clenching my hands together tightly to tamp down my nerves.
“It’s going to be okay,” Johanna whispered, grabbing my hand and squeezing it. “We are all here for you.”
“I know,” I said, giving her a tiny smile. “I just don’t know what to say to her.”
Johanna smiled softly. “Give her the words from your heart, Anna. Let her know what you would want to tell her if she was alive, in front of you, and you can’t go wrong. She loved you.”
I smiled faintly as the SUV pulled into a tiny graveyard, a small stone church in the distance. This was far removed from the States and likely far away from any remaining relatives my mother had left.
But it was lovely at least, the picture-perfect English church.
“Do you want me to go with you?” Johanna asked as I opened the door.
I looked back at Johanna and the kings, and shook my head. “Let me have some
