We continue to go through the simple paces and the freeing feeling reminds me why I put up with all the shit that I do. One day I’ll be able to control my powers and I won’t have to wait for someone to give me permission to use it.
Margret has me create a hurricane, my biggest weakness, and at her command I grow it in size before making it smaller. We continue for a little longer before inevitably the simulation disappears and Lacey’s voice comes through the dome. “That’s it for the day.”
Reluctantly, I start to reel in the energy that doesn’t want to be tamed and I let go of the thunderstorm I was in the middle of controlling.
The dome returns to normal, and I return to an unsatisfied life.
When I leave the training center, Magnus and Gerald are outside waiting on me. They know that I come here to train but they have no idea about the actual capabilities of my power, my father not wanting there to be anyway word gets back to the other kingdoms.
We move down the hall and I stare at the ground as we move forward.
“Aphaedra.” The deep voice makes me stop in my tracks as my heart rate kicks up in my chest.
Turning, I find a tall man with olive skin standing down the hall. His grey hair hangs from beneath his crown and his shrewd, dark eyes watch me closely.
I bow at the waist. “Hello, father.”
Chapter Five
“I’ve told you not to call me that, it’s King Tempest.”
People have compared me to my father and when they do, I certainly don’t take it as a compliment.
“King Tempest,” I grit out, but the frown remains on his weathered face. At 350, he’s much older than Diana and it shows.
“We must speak, Aphaedra,” is all he says before he turns on his heels and I know I’m expected to follow.
Things are happening around here. I’m not sure what, but you must be careful.
For a moment, I consider turning and going the other way as Diana’s words ring through my head. However, I know from experience that such a move would not end well. Most times it ends with the skin torn from my back and a week of not being able to leave the bed afterwards.
A slight nudge to my side makes me turn to find Magnus giving me an encouraging look. His lips are strained in a fake smile, but I understand the warning all the same.
I nod sharply before moving forward. My father’s guards keep a barrier between the two of us as if I’d actually try an attack on him.
I could only hope.
Our group continues to through the halls and it doesn’t take me long to realize we’re headed toward the throne room. When we get to the golden double doors adorned in red and green jewels and the Tempest family crest, my suspicions are confirmed.
The guards standing at the door bow before my father before pushing the doors open. Light blooms from within the throne room, an added effect from the tall windows that are always uncovered. They are of course reinforced, anyone thinking of trying to attack the throne from getting in that way, are greatly mistaken.
In the front of the room are a couple of thrones, the biggest one in the middle belonging to my father, which he quickly claims. Next to his throne is a slightly smaller one where Diana normally sits. It’s noticeably vacant.
Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for my brother and his wife’s throne.
Sitting on his throne with his legs crossed at the ankle and his chin propped on his tan hand as he lazily gazes out the window, my brother, Agnus. He is the embodiment of privilege. I’ve always gotten along with him much better than my father but that's not saying much. Yet, from what I know of my brother he seems to love me as much as he’s capable of loving someone. He’s never outright mean or rude and he occasionally includes me in any festivities he was going to.
His wife, who sits beside him in her silver ball gown, that is way too much for a regular day in with no affairs, glares at me with blue eyes. She pushes her blonde hair out of her face, making sure I feel the full effect of her glare. I stiffen my posture, refraining from giving her a harsh look of my own. Lainey is from Rhauf and her marriage to my brother was one of convenience. A show of peace between the two kingdoms. I once asked my brother if he actually loved her to which he’d laughed.
However, the woman takes her new position as the next queen of Daeryl very seriously and she hates me. I quickly learned that it was because I was the only threat to the throne.
Despite being a bastard, if something were to happen to my brother, the throne would fall to me. However, what she doesn’t know is that I’ve never wanted the throne. Plus, my father would find a way to make sure I didn’t sit my ass on his precious throne whether he was dead or alive. He’d fight the devil in hell to make sure of it.
I turn my head away from Lanie and look at the smallest throne on the opposite side of where the queen usually takes her place. The throne was obviously thrown together lacking any of the fanciness of the others but the fact that it's there at all is a surprise of its own. Of course, where there should be another throne beside it there isn’t.
Kofu’s duties are to the guard, there’s no reason for him to sit on a throne.
The argument didn’t last long and while it was expected, it was still an annoyance when the discussion happened.
The thought of my husband has me pausing as I look at Agnus. His meeting didn’t seem to
