Whispering broke out around the table.
I cleared my throat again. The whispering died down as the Elder Council gave me their full attention. I could see a smile playing at the corner of my grandmother’s lips.
“Elfi already has a queen,” I explained, raising the tone of my voice a notch. “Izadora is the rightful Queen of Elfi, and I am her heir.” I paused, giving them time to take it in. “I am also queen of another kingdom, one now ruled by an evil tyrant. I will not allow one kingdom to fall into chaos because I am too busy looking after another. My grandmother is a great ruler, and her power is unmatched in Elfi and beyond.”
I walked slowly to where my grandmother sat and stood at her side, putting my hand on the fae queen’s slender shoulder. “The time has come for me to leave Elfi and take my place as Queen of Illiador. Izadora will rule Elfi in my name until such a time as she is ready to hand over the crown to me or to my children. The Elder Council will support the queen with advice but will no longer be concerned with choosing a new queen every thousand years. Izadora is your queen and always will be until I say otherwise.”
A gasp went up from the council. I had effectively taken away all their power.
My grandmother stood up.
“Now that that’s settled,” she said crisply, her gold eyes flashing and her lips curving up in a satisfied smile, “this council is dismissed. Until such a time as I decide I want your advice.”
The Elders’ eyes went wide and Silias stood up. “You don’t have the power to dismiss us.”
“But I do,” I asserted, crossing my arms just as the enormous shadow of Abraxas fell on the council table as he flew past the castle outside.
Immediately, the whole Elder Council got up, bowed, and scurried out of the council chamber. Only the dowager and my grandmother remained.
“Nicely done,” said Abraxas.
I smiled, looking out of the window. “Thanks for the fly-by.”
“Any time,” said the great dragon.
“You have grown into a fine young lady, Aurora,” my grandmother said unexpectedly, stepping closer and holding me gently by the arms, her gold eyes shining. “I couldn’t be any prouder to have you as my granddaughter and my heir.”
“Thank you,” I said simply.
“It is I who should thank you—for saving my life and my kingdom.”
I shook my head. “I didn’t save the book,” I murmured softly. “I’m not worthy to be Illaria’s heir.”
The queen looked at me sharply. “What is destined is already written—you cannot change that. The world has been awaiting you for a very long time. That is the reason I brought you here—to give you the chance to realize that and to uncover who you are. The Dawnstar was prophesied to save Avalonia from darkness, and you are finally ready for the task ahead. The time has come to take back your father’s throne and end Morgana’s rule for good.” She paused and her voice softened. “The time has come to get your mother back and make sure Dragath never rises again.”
I nodded. This time I would not fail. This time I would do it right.
“They will plot against you once you are gone,” said the dowager, turning to me.
“Let them try.” The queen sat back down in her chair.
“Izadora will need a strong ally among the fae if she is to hold the throne in your name,” the dowager continued.
“She has you,” I said, smiling.
Rhiannon’s lips twitched, but she didn’t smile back. “Be that as it may, an alliance with the Night Court will greatly help matters here,” the dowager said plainly. “Now that Morgana has the Book of Abraxas we must act fast. You must take an army to Illiador and retrieve the book as well as the Dagger of Dragath.”
I knew what she was getting at. But I let her talk. How was I going to tell her I didn’t want to marry her grandson?
“I don’t want to force you into marriage,” said my grandmother, to my surprise. “But Rhiannon is right. Right now the fae will follow you because they are afraid of your powers. But a marriage to a fae prince will make them trust you. In battle you must have an army you can depend on.”
“But what about Tristan’s father? He doesn’t want the marriage to happen. He was willing to give me over to Morgana just to get rid of me.”
The dowager nodded. “That was before. Now that your true lineage has been revealed, my son is more than happy to overlook your mage side and has given his blessing for this marriage.”
I’m sure he has, I thought but kept it to myself. He knew marrying his son to me would ensure his line took the throne. To have the magic of the ancient queens bred into your family was the most prestigious thing that could ever happen to a High Fae.
“Think about it, Aurora,” said the dowager. “A betrothal is not a marriage, although it is a contract. You can still take your time to set things right and get to know each other better. You don’t need to marry immediately. A betrothal will show the fae they can trust you, that you are one of them. Once you have taken back your kingdom and are ready to settle down, then you can get married if you so choose.”
“I know you have been pining over the Prince of Eldoren,” said my grandmother, but her tone was not unkind.
How did she know about him? Had Penelope told her about Rafe?
“I also know he is marrying another.” My grandmother’s eyes softened. “My most trusted spies have informed
