Chapter Twenty-One
The Eyes that Haunt Him, Both Warm and Cold
Elyon wasn't one for performative events. From his time free from his cell, Elyon had not thrown a single grand ball or commemorative affair. There were several thrown in her honor years ago, once she came to power, and then annually on her birthday and true coronation day, but it was widely known the queen was not one to attend any beyond that.
It was interesting. For years, she broke social and cultural norms. As there was little anyone could say or do, since Elyon was uncontested in rank on the planet. There was no older generation to tell her the value of social engagements. Of fostering camaraderie with people who had power and influence over the lands she ruled. People who had far more intimate knowledge of the workings of the everyday people and their needs and wants.
And the closest Elyon had to a peer was the High Witch and Prince Phobos. Obviously, the High Witch could not help Elyon with the nuances of running a planet-wide magical kingdom, as she had a drastically different dynamic with her own. And, also obviously, Prince Phobos had no interest in helping the queen. Even if it meant things would improve for his situation, with Elyon having better control over her populace, with fewer dangers to them both, Phobos just did not care.
The regret that now festered in him over his decisions with her as a child was not enough to blind him of his disappointment of her as queen. Her own choices had led to the mockery she faced from the continual disrespect of her subjects. To the point they openly favored the High Witch even in front of her.
Meridian was a kingdom seeped in blood long before Elyon, or even Phobos, came along. It was a planet-wide kingdom that held itself together not because the leaders of the lands wanted a single, unified state, but because the Light of Meridian made it so.
So the common folk were use to war, both open on the battlefield and behind closed doors. And the Light of Infinity, known for fighting every magical foe that rose in every known realm, was a familiar leader to rally behind.
Elyon spoke of peace and understanding, something that was laughable after countless decades of a dictatorship the people had no control over.
The Light of Meridian ruled, for good or bad. It didn't matter; it was just the way of the magic of their world. Because without the Light, the planet would wither away and their connection to magic would die.
So it was amusing to see Elyon rule because of tradition and birthright, but also reject the old ways in favor of what she called progress. For equality between magicked and non-magicked. Nobles and commoners. Every species and half-breeds.
She wanted progress.
The people wanted familiarity.
And those were proving not to mix well.
So it interested Phobos to see what his sister planned to gain control over her kingdom, after so long of preaching peace and understanding.
An iron hand or a silver tongue?
Was she capable of either?
Phobos' guards parted from him as he entered the grand dining hall. They joined other guards and servants along the edges of the room, away from the dinner guest.
The group before him was nowhere near the size the massive room was build for, maybe a couple dozen where hundreds could have dined. Phobos had memories of lavished dinners thrown by Weira, bright and lively. And, later, more diplomatic in tone dinners hosted by him. So it was strange, seeing the single, polished wooden table needed to house the current party along the center, lit by both magic and candle light. It was laughable; the table sitting alone, with a band playing gentle melodies in a corner, dressed in the colors of Elyon's court.
Phobos glanced up at the row of stain glass windows along the wall that led to the attached courtyard. Images of the old queens looked down on them, faces flat and bespeckle by beams of color and light in the late evening sun. He had not been in this room since Elyon's rise to power, so one glass mural was new to him.
It looked like her, with the unmistakable long red hair and blue eyes. They based the image on her formal portrait in the royal gallery, as that would be the only way Elyon knew she looked.
Calm, regal, serene.
Nothing but lies.
Then, before he could find more fault with the surrounding event, he spotted the Guardians of Infinity.
Wilhelmina was standing with the other four guardians. They were having a very active discussion, with her lips pulled into a deep frown. The five were trying their best to keep their voices lower than the music, but a few comments from Irma and the Earth Guardian were audible, as they seemed the most at odds. Wilhelmina eventually had enough and said something too low for him to hear that silenced them, causing them both to look away in visible frustration.
Hay-Lin was the first to notice him and, clearly wanting a distraction from their seemingly endless infighting, waved before rushing over.
Wilhelmina turned, warm brown eyes growing soft at the sight of him, and he felt that damn twist in his chest. For a second, he forgot about his irritation at being forced to attend dinner, at the mockery of Elyon's court, at the hollow eyes staring down at him, and just saw the smiling woman.
There was a soft giggle next to him and he realized Hay-Lin was near him now.
"She's happy you're here, too," Hay-Lin said, smiling brightly as she grabbed his arm to pull him to the group.
Phobos frowned at the empath, not liking her knowing his emotions. But empaths saw emotions like others saw colors. So what she saw could not be helped. So, he held his tongue, not voicing his displeasure, as she pulled him where he wanted to go.
"Look who I found!" Hay-Lin happily announced, approaching the group with a better mood than when she left.
"Hey, princy, lookin' good! Didn't know you owned anything but old man mage robes," Irma teased, hands on hips.
While robes were his preferred dress, he now wore the more formal attire of a prince. The tunic and trousers were a rich dark blue, embellished with gold thread, and accented with gold buttons and belt. He wore a half cloak over one arm, which was also embellished with the same gold and black feathers. He hoped the dark colors made his choice of onyx circlet appear natural. He was taking a risk, wearing this close to Elyon, but she had been near it a few times and had yet to sense the magic. Or maybe she did, but he was so saturated in her magic that she couldn't tell the circlet was retaining it on its own?
Either way, he didn't want to be in such a public situation without having his connection to Achilles, whom was patrolling the nearby grounds and castle.
Phobos raised a brow as he responded, voice impassive, "And you are… nearly passable."
The Guardians all wore Meridian garb, in the color of their elements. Only the Keeper was wearing a very pale pink that did well not to clash with her hair. He couldn't recall seeing her in such formal attire before, and found the fit on her pleasing.
His comment earned a snort laugh from the Earth Guardian, drawing his attention to her, who quickly tried to hide the reaction by looking away from the group.
"Hey!" Irma called, one to find humor everywhere. "I think you meant 'drop dead gorgeous' but," she suddenly smirked, looking at her leader and nudging her with her elbow. "I guess only one person here gets that title."
Phobos wondered how this became normal, chatting with the Guardians, knowing their distinct personalities and behaviors.
So he knew what Irma was getting at, wanting to tease both the Keeper and him, but Phobos still answered, never one to be embarrassed over his wants, "Wilhelmina is breathtaking, as always."
Wilhelmina flamed red, hands covering her face as she groaned out in embarrassment, "Why are you so freaking blunt?"
A spike of desire shot through him, seeing her reaction. It amazed him how everything she did called on him. Made him want her more and more.
To think a simple blush would make him crumble so completely.
Make him feel so weak.
"Hold up!" Irma said, suddenly looking peeved between the two. "He can call you 'Wilhelmina' after like three weeks, but every time I try, you give me so much shit?" she exclaimed, waving her hands wildly.
Hay-Lin, still smiling, laced her arm through Wilhelmina's and defended, "It's cute! It's like a pet name, but it's her name-name, you know?"
Taranee rolled her eyes. "You and pet names. I'm just glad you stopped calling me Nee-Nee."
Hay-Lin gasped, eyes shining, "I forgot about Nee-Nee! Oh, I liked that one."
Taranee looked wary as she quickly answered, "Well, it's not making a comeback."
Irma opened her mouth only for Taranee to glare at her and firmly say, "No."
Irma closed her mouth and pouted.
Cornelia, who was eyeing him, body turned away from the group and arms folded, added, somewhat hesitantly, "Well, at least you aren't called 'Corny'"
Irma recoiled in shock. "Blasphemy! You love that nickname!"
The blond frowned and drily pointed out, "It's both an insult and a vegetable."
"Exactly! Diversity!" Irma said with pride.
With her comrades distracted, Wilhelmina slipped away from Hay-Lin and moved to his side.
It was odd how they didn't even need to speak as she settled next to him, body comfortably against his, hand on the swell of her hips. He felt her hand close over his, her thumb softly rubbing across his knuckles. From his view, he saw her lips pull into a calm smile as she watched her friends bicker. Slowly, she leaned back into his hold, weight releasing the strange pressure in his chest.
Her companions didn't comment on their new positions, choosing to keep up their more upbeat banter until dinner was served.
Phobos wondered if he should have removed himself from Wilhelmina's side, as the rest of the dinner guest entered. While he did not care for how these people viewed him or his actions, he didn't want to cause another altercation with the Keeper and any other.
The coldness from Raythor to the High Witch didn't go unnoticed, as he passed her without a word, only sparing them both a deep scowl. Phobos felt Wilhelmina tense against him, eyes following the warrior's every movement, pain in her expression. A wave of guilt hit the prince, knowing he caused that newest rift in her life.
He was just so prone to, as she put it, 'digging at' people. Finding the right words that tore at them. Having spent his whole life in physical pain, feeling the effects of steel in his flesh and poison in his gut, he knew better than any other that words, the right words, stayed longer than any wound. But his words weren't uttered in a void, and those to Raythor had caused Wilhelmina unnecessary hurt.
Phobos, after learning from Vathek of the truth of the missing key, was disappointed to have been taken for a fool by the younger leader at the start of her magical life. He did not recall her very much from the first few years. He did recalled, vaguely, she showed up in his scrying pool, before he even knew she possessed the Heart of Kandrakar. Also, she was captured a few times but always escaped before he could properly interrogate her, something he was deeply thankful for now.
The Guardians somehow lived different lives than the rest around them. They never needed to kill, like him, Cedric, Caleb, Vathek, Raythor and just… countless others.
In the end, the greatest sins all fell on the Keeper's shoulders, as she was the one to make the final plans. But even those sins were nothing compared to the blood that covered everyone's hands in the kingdom of Meridian.
So while she may have tricked Phobos to unfairly punish his best general, later using that moment to turn said man against him permanently, it was just a part of war.
It seemed to Phobos that Wilhelmina was being punished for being good at it. Being good at destabilizing her enemies from the inside. Making them turn on each other. Making them turn to her side. Like Raythor and now even him.
The Light of Infinity was called to war and answered the call better than expected. And now that the war was over, and the problems across the universe were not genuine threats, like him or Nerissa, it was time for her to meekly sink into the background, to let people forget the choices they made in times of desperation.
So it pleased him to see her fight against that. If he could let go of their past, of his multiple defeats at her hand, and the tricks performed that were still coming to light, he didn't see why Raythor would hold a grudge.
After all, he was all for the punishment when he thought Vathek was in the wrong. And Raythor's blade wasn't exactly clean. He had followed Nerrisa for a while. And no task done in the name in of vengeance was ever pure and just.
Now, Raythor joined with Caleb and his like, including the Earth Regent Matt, who Phobos had a great deal of clear memories of, from his time on Earth. They had forced him to live with the, at the time, younger man. Even sharing a room and spending days with him unendingly.
It was tedious, to say the least.
His only enjoyment was messing with the five Guardians, in admittedly childish ways. His immortality was a burden. He still had frustratingly youthful impulses, since he could not age past his early twenties, as that was when his magical treatments by Weira stopped. So, while on Earth, he indulged in those frivolous wants, toying and playing games in ways he never could in his own youth.
That time was surreal to him, not memories he often looked back on, as they just didn't match the narrative of his life.
Yet, somehow, these same five had found their way back into his life. And, again, it felt surreal. It was just a matter of time before it was all gone again, right?
Because, like before, when he took the Heart of Meridian for himself and broke his vow to the Keeper, he was going to take his freedom into his own hands.
Breaking something else.
Something he doubted the Keeper would forgive.
Was Elyon right? Was he incapable of just being…?
No.
Being chained was not his future.
As much as he had grown fond of the woman in his hold, he knew he would only grow bitterness at her over his magical bondage. He craved to be her equal again, not one chained beneath her.
Not being able to even speak to her properly, to be forced to word games even after they shared a bed, was demeaning to them both.
Wilhelmina seemed less troubled by their situation, or at least she hid it well, as she always smiled easily at his side, not bothered by the stares and whispers. With the four others with her, it was impossible for the room not to be drawn to the sight of the five Guardians of Infinity speaking to the prince so companionably. And the High Witch stayed glued to him, more so when the Earth Regent entered.
As bold and confident as she was, she cracked under the stares of her former lover, shyly hiding at Phobos' side. Trying her best to keep her smile on her face. But the strain was there in the corners of her warm eyes and the twitch of her pink lips.
Phobos knew she didn't want him 'bothering' the Regent, but he felt a hot flare of something in his gut at her reaction. He knew she had only recently ended her relationship with the man, so it wasn't surprising she was still so affected by his presence. She still held feelings for him, even if her physical attraction had shifted to Phobos, as she admitted at the lake. So knowing they shared an embraced recently, something the maids seemed to find gossip worthy, bothered him more than he could explain.
He knew rationally the Keeper wasn't his. That she was giving him a sense of control over his life and making him want to live for something again. But it was becoming harder and harder to see a life that didn't include her somehow. But she would never come with him, and he would never stay there, chained, even for her.
So what right did he have to be jealous?
After he was gone, she would most likely make her way back to him, as he clearly still pined for her and she would be… what?
Humiliated? Humbled? Heartbroken?
How deep would his escape cut her, if everything came to light, how it came to be?
With the gift she placed on his head.
With the freedom the nymph gave for her enjoyment.
With the frog child she let wander the castle unimpeded.
Why did his freedom have to come at a cost now? And why did that cost now feel almost too high?
So Phobos allowed her to hide at his side without question as he turned to face the other man. For the first time in years, their eyes met. Phobos could see traces of that younger tengu, who had just come into his powers after months of slavery at the hands of Nerrisa. Funny, as he would probably understand the prince's situation better than any other.
Trapped by magic, forced to act in ways they despised. Only he was forced to harm those he cared for, while Phobos was forced to kneel and suffer at the knife of any person with a vengeance and skilled enough to slip into the castle.
He was sure the tengu would say the prince deserved his treatment in a way. Just like Phobos thought the Regent was better off having to suffer at the hands of Nerissa, as the amount of magic he gain after was far worth it.
They would never see eye-to-eye. Especially now that they both had an obvious interest in the same enchanting witch.
Matt was taller than the prince now, form reflecting his magical alter-ego, showing he had completely embraced it, allowing it to leak into his human flesh. Just like the surrounding Earthlings, he wore Meridian garb, a green tunic with gold trim. He was more confident in his status. As a regent to a Light was akin to a Light, and he stood with his head high, even with Elyon present.
Interesting that he seemed to understand what his role was, keeping the image of the Earth Kingdom strong until their queen came of age. Phobos could see why Kandrakar would approve of a courtship between him and the Keeper, as both their roles would, ideally, be temporary. Soon, Matt would step down, maybe into a lesser role as a lower guardian, maybe completely, and live a less magic focused life on Earth. It would have been natural for the Keeper to do the same, giving up the Heart before Xin Jing awoke, living a bland, boring existence where magic was an afterthought.
Smartly, she rejected that boring life.
"Phobos," was a gentle call at his side, breaking his stare with the dark-haired man. He felt her hand lace with his as his head turned to her. "Let's go sit down," she offered, smile tight, dark eyes troubled.
He hated seeing her bothered.
He meant it when he told her he was here to help her forget her woes. Because she was helping him forget his.
Not caring about anything but seeing her smile reach her eyes, Phobos grinned, reaching up to tuck a lock of soft hair behind her ear.
"You look far too serious considering how you've spent the greater part of the day… and how you shall end it," he purred, finger tracing along her delicate jaw.
She laughed, flushing darker in her cheeks, eyes twinkling, "I seem to recall it's only ending that way if the dinner remains drama-free, buddy."
Phobos smirked. "While that was the deal, I have to wonder what my… punishment might be if I misbehave? That might be worth a scene or two, no?"
Her eyes widen for a brief second as her mouth dropped open, and she was quick to hide her excitement at his words as she sent him a weak glare. "Stop playing around and let's go sit," she said, pulling him to where the other Guardians were.
He was pleased to see the easy smile back on her face as they went.
"So," Elyon started, looking around the table. Dinner had yet to be served, with the queen taking the moment to address those in attendance. Phobos was unaware of many present, simply from the fact they held no value to him.
Elyon was at the head, with her adoptive parents to her right and an older woman, a half-breed, to her left. Everyone else had filled in with no sense of proper seating arrangement by status, and was a mixed group that made no sense to him.
Wilhelmina sat at the side of the table, with him on her right and Taranee to her left. Hay-Lin chose to sit at his right, with Irma next to her. The Earth Guardian was to Taranee's left, with the half-breed next to her. The Earth Regent was across from the Keeper, with Caleb, Raythor, Vathek, and some random rebel members with them. There were more, but Phobos didn't recall crossing paths with them to give them much thought.
Elyon was standing, her eyes lingering on him longer, her expression more passive than normal.
"I wanted to have a slightly more formal dinner as preparation for the coming weeks," Elyon explained. "Since we had to cancel a few events over the last couple days for extenuating circumstance."
There was a flicker of pink light from the Heart at the Keeper's neck, causing her to slap her hand over the jewel to block it from view.
"Shush! It's rude to interrupt," Wilhelmina hiss softly, trying to quiet a sharp, chiming sound from the stone.
Elyon cleared her throat and added, matter-of-fact, "Yes, it is." While looking at the Keeper.
A look of pure mortification overcame the High Witch as all eyes were on her. She paled, sinking down in her seat as she weakly explained, "Xin Jing… she was saying sorry… about kidnapping me… and ruining things… Elyon."
Elyon simply nodded and calmly asked, "Can we address that later, perhaps?"
There was rapid flashing from the Heart and more chiming. The Keeper pulled the Heart off and gripped it in both hands.
"Yup! Hahaha, of course, no objections here! Nope, not a one!" she awkwardly answered, sliding lower in her seat.
Still the Heart was flickering, wanting to converse, chiming becoming annoying.
Phobos rolled his eyes at the Heart's antics. Seeing that it had responded to him before, he saw no harm in helping the Keeper. While he normally enjoyed seeing her more bashful side, it was undignified for her to literally lower herself like this to another Light.
"Nymph," he called, sternly. "Now is not the time. Behave yourself as your mistress demands."
The Heart dimmed. He was willing to bet it was sulking, as it flickered faintly before finally stopping.
There was an uneasy silence as Elyon looked between him and the Keeper with a slight frown. Irma quickly broke the building tension in the air.
With amusement, she stated, "Oh, so Phobos is the strict parent."
That earned her a loud shush from Hay-Lin.
Wilhelmina sent him a grateful smile from her lower position in her chair as the rest of the attendees were less than pleased at the transaction, especially the men across from him.
Did they think that one statement meant he had some type of influence over the nymph? It was an ancient being that only sought to fulfil its own wants and the wants of its chosen. Phobos was only notable to it because of his closeness to its mistress. It was only a matter of time before Wilhelmina could handle the creature with ease.
Like with him and Achilles, there was still a learning curve when handling the frog. He was emotional, as his eagerness to help Phobos blinded him to calmer thoughts and actions.
It made since the nymph was similar, only wanting to help the Keeper, often responding at the reminder of disappointing her.
"Moving on," Elyon said, giving him a strange look. He had a feeling she might question him more soon. While he had done nothing to earn her suspicion, he was wary of her scrutiny, seeing that Achilles was more active in the castle.
She went on, scanning the group. "As we had to cancel attending a few events thrown in the Guardian's honor, the royal court will host several dinners for those noble houses as a formal apology. I will merge the magic demonstration with the summer's end grand ball, for the sake of time." Elyon paused, looking around for a moment. "As we have those who have never taken part with a formal dinner, we will go over the details, as our first guests shall attend tomorrow's meal."
Then she looked right at him, blue eyes steady, shoulders square. "Prince Phobos, as my brother, and a formal member of the royal house, you are joining all events from this moment forward."
Phobos held back a smile as that was, for once, a statement, not a request like the countless ones before.
Huh, good for her, learning the weight of her words.
"And, given the events that have transpired, Will is a formal guest of yours, going forward."
"What?" Caleb and Cornelia said in unison, shocked, just as several of the others also all muttered in agitation. The Guardians, minus Cornelia, looked around in confusion at the reactions. Wilhelmina sat up, looking at him for an answer.
Before he could answer why that statement was so shocking, Elyon spoke up, quieting the group, as she went on. "As I was saying; formally the Light of Infinity is a guest of Phobos, grand prince of Meridian."
Well, that was unexpected.
Interesting move though.
This time, the shock was shared throughout the whole room.
"And," Elyon pressed on, forcing the room to settle. "With your status officially reinstated, you will have normal duties to attend to. Which I am sure you are no stranger too."
Phobos kept his face expressionless, even as he wanted to laugh at her games, and nodded, "I know what this all entails."
Paperwork.
So much paperwork.
Damn, he didn't miss that at all.
The dungeon was looking pretty appealing right now.
Elyon nodded back. "Good." Then looked at the still puzzled Keeper. "Also, Will, regarding tomorrow's dinner guest. One claims they were invited by you."
"What?" Wilhelmina said as she sat up properly, growing more confused. "Who?"
Elyon's calm facade finally cracked as she twitched and answered, disapproval thick in her voice, "Duchess Eulalia Moondall."
At that, Phobos lost it.
His hand hit the table in a fist, shaking dishes and silverware, as he let out a hysterical laugh, dropping his face into his other hand.
"You invited her?" he choked out, looking at the once again flustered Keeper. "Eulalia Moondall? Eulalia?" Again he laughed, tears in the corner of his eyes. "It took me years to get her claws out of my court, and you invite her directly into Elyon's?" He looked at the queen and said with genuine pity, "Sleep with an eye open, dear sister, with her in your castle."
Caleb snorted, "Like she doesn't already?" he challenged, looking at the prince, implication clear.
"As a grand prince, I must say I don't know what you are implying, rebel leader," he coolly countered.
Wilhelmina spoke up before Caleb could respond. "I think she's the lady I met in the marketplace a couple weeks ago. When I was shopping for-"
Irma gasped, jumping up and pointing at Wilhelmina. "Oh my god, it's your sugar momma! That lady who hit on you!"
Wilhelmina looked ready to crawl under the table as she flushed red and jumped up, crossing her arms defensively and yelling back. "For the last time! She didn't hit on me!"
Irma rolled her eyes. "Girl, she's trying to slide into Elyon's castle like she's sliding in your DM's."
Cornelia was next to stand, yelling at them both. "Sit down! Both of you! No one cares who's hitting on Will from week to week!"
Wilhelmina turned, frantic, and defended, "No one! No one is hitting on me."
Irma grinned and teased, "This week. We have a few left. Many more chances."
"Enough!" Elyon snapped. "Sit," she said, calmer, firmer.
The three sat, Wilhelmina not meeting his questioning gaze. Was she being courted outside the castle as well?
He didn't like the idea of Duchess Eulalia getting near Wilhelmina for countless reasons. As smart and cunning as the Keeper was on the battlefield, court politics was something he doubted she could handle as skillfully. The Earth Guardian seemed more equipped to handle those like Eulalia, able to navigate the polite smiles and false words without taking anything personally and keeping a cool head.
And, while he was unaware if Eulalia's choice of bed partners, he wouldn't put it past her to at least try to befriend the younger woman for her own twisted plans.
"Phobos," Elyon called, attention back to him. "You have dealt with her?"
Phobos debated for a moment and decided helping Elyon would be best, as keeping Eulalia away from Wilhelmina was now his goal.
"Yes, I have. If you want to keep her at bay, you are best to do as I did and welcome Miranda into your court."
Elyon had a flash of disgust as she asked, "And why would that help?"
Phobos grinned, "Why, that's her daughter. Estranged daughter, that is."
It was Taranee that spoke up as the room absorbed his revelation.
"Maybe we should all talk about this after? Like in a different setting?" she said, glancing back at the eavesdropping servants and guards.
Elyon cleared her throat. "That is well advised. A formal convergence of the Council of Meridian will take place tomorrow, with both the Guardians of Kandrakar and of Earth in attendance."
Wilhelmina's eyes darted to the tengu, and their eyes held each other. The pain in both their expressions was clear as they stared at the other as the queen finally commenced dinner.
"Master," came Achilles' urgent telepathic call. "Your food is poisoned."
"Just mine?" he inquired, worried for a moment as he glanced at the red-head next to him.
"Yes. There were too many present for me to stop them," he admitted, sadden.
"Though you know whom are responsible?" he question, excited to know some of his longer tormentors. He could not eat a single meal given directly to him from the kitchen. Poison and starvation wouldn't kill him, but he still suffered effects from them.
It seemed… unnecessarily stubborn now, thinking back, not getting Elyon's assistance with this problem.
"Yes, the head cook, his sou chief, the royal tasters, and the guard chief," Achilles answered. "What would you like me to do? …Kill them?"
Phobos thought for a moment. "Yes, but not now. Later tonight. Make sure they know why."
Achilles was quiet for a long moment before answering, "Yes, master. It shall be done. What to do about your food?"
"Nothing," he admitted. "It would be too obvious if I reject tainted food only for the cooks to fall dead that same eve."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, now keep watch and stay out of sight."
"Of course, master."
Once dinner begun, Phobos ate like normal, hoping at least it was a slower poison that he could hide the effects from Wilhelmina, as he knew she would not let the, somewhat empty, threat go.
Speaking of Wilhelmina, she was oddly docile, chatting with him and Taranee for brief moments between courses. At one point, her hand found his under the table and just held it.
While the dinner wasn't as terrible as he thought it would have been, it was still taxing on her, as she was the center of attention far more often than was fair.
He squeezed her hand, rubbing his thumb across her soft skin, reminded of their time at the beach when that was all he could touch.
She looked at him, her rich brown eyes clouded, and it struck him, like always, with how bewitching she was to him. Even in her gloom, she was beautiful, her melancholy an enticing, sad song that lured him deeper.
He wanted to… comfort her. To draw her into his arms and let her rest until she was ready to face her next task.
Wilhelmina was meant for a life of magic, of power. And now she doubted herself, bogged down by those who told her to throw away her birthright.
But was that something to concern himself with? As must as he hated seeing her doubt herself, struggle with the nymph, and forced to play games of court, what could he do, as he was? His priority was Achilles growing strong enough to free him.
That was all that mattered.
His freedom.
Nothing mattered more than that, right?
Wilhelmina squeezed his hand tighter, smile not reaching her eyes, and his heart twisted.
