Page 74 of The Rose in the Shadows

My breath caught as I met Clay’s eyes. He had dressed formally in a grey jacket with the purple sash of Athenia draped across his chest, marking his importance. A silver crown perched on his golden hair. It was the first time I’d actually seen him in a crown; I noted. It’s one thing to know someone’s a future monarch, but it’s another entirely to see them decorated as one.

And though it somewhat pained me to admit it, it did suit him. As he stood tall at my door, Clay looked like the great ruler he would one day become.

Something came over me as I stood staring at him. Perhaps it was the knowledge of what I had overheard, or the gentleness with which he had carried me the night before, or that he simply looked positively breathtaking. Whatever the reason, I fell into a low curtsy and bowed my head, greeting him, for the first time, the way tradition dictated I should. His eyes flickered with surprise and some other unnamed emotion, but after a momentary pause, he, too, bowed his head respectfully to me.

“You look beautiful,” he complimented, his voice clipped and formal.

“Thank you for the gown.”

He nodded and extended an arm to me. “It was an investment I do not regret, Lady Moore.”

So formal. The knowledge that we were both tasked with playing roles that evening overtook me. There was no time for us to banter or hover on the edge of inappropriate thoughts and feelings towards one another. There was no time for me to regret stepping into this role that I had fought for so long.

We needed to be royals.

And with that in mind, we left the safety of my suite, and I lifted my chin high. I would not let this castle see the raging storm of emotions that threatened to overtake me. I would not let them see how confused I was about Clay, how afraid I wasof another attack, or how angry I was about the positions they constantly forced me into.

I was a Descendant of House Hyrax. I wastheDescendant of House Hyrax. And if someone was determined to end my line once and for all, I would not make it easy for them.

Chapter Twenty-Four

The Dragon spoke for quite some time before the court, while we stood formally behind him. And while I pretended to be utterly captivated by him, I found myself losing focus as he spoke. I couldn’t bear to listen to him for too long as he prattled on about the disrespect of these attacks and the audacity of someone to assume they could injure the Athenian castle.

As he spoke, I stood next to Clay, wholly surrounded by my guards. I doubted another attack would happen so quickly after the last, or so publicly, but Dimitri constantly scanned the area, keeping one hand firm on his weapon. I could feel another guard close at my back, ready to grab me and pull me out of danger if necessary. The knowledge all at once left me on edge and somewhat comforted.

“I want to assure my people that the Athenian Council is stronger than ever, and we will protect our own! We will not let your princess of House Hyrax falter!” The Dragon called out strongly.

The people cheered, first softly and respectfully, but then more powerfully. I gasped as the hum of their voices unified into a single word.

My name.

“Theadora!” they chanted repeatedly, throwing roses onto the balcony at my feet.

Clay had mentioned my popularity in his conversation with Iris last night, but I hadn’t paid it much mind. It had been a fleeting comment in a conversation that had stirred up a wave of emotion in me. I had nearly forgotten it entirely.

But Clay had been right. At some point, the people of Athenia began to love me. And yet, Clay had also been wrong.

They didn’t loveme.

These people had only ever seen the version of me that the Dragon wanted them to see, the version he had forced me to show them. They loved theideaof a long-lost princess but did not realize that the princess standing before them, accepting their cheers and roses, had only ever spoken to them with pre-scripted words drafted by the Dragon. Today, the Dragon had not even given me words to say. The palace guard team had determined it was too dangerous for me to step into the front of the terrace to speak.

I was to stand in the back, silent and under guard.

Just as I was to silently accept the Dragon’s unwanted advancements on me or whatever else he wanted to do because of hisfascination.

Just as I was to ascend to the Council, bear this kingdom’s children, and silently accept that I could never be with the one person I might actually want.

I was tired of being silent.

I had been silent as I accepted all the rules of this court and although I had played along with every demand, I was still in danger. Did standing quietly in the back protect me or only paintme as a docile victim? Easily manipulated and easily controlled. They had brought me into this court to be a figurehead on their Council. But these people, the people of Athenia, didn’t see me as a puppet. They saw a powerful woman. They saw an inspiration. They saw the promise of a resurrected House.

A sudden resolution fell over me. It was time to show everyone, including and especially the Dragon, that House Hyrax was strong. That I was strong. And that if they insisted on making me a Council member and subjecting me to the stipulations that came with that responsibility, then Iwouldspeak for my House.

The Dragon made his closing remarks and stepped backward to the palace, waving emphatically at the people, some of whom had already turned away to return to their homes.

It was now or never.

Clay grabbed my arm immediately as I tried to step forward, his grip firm and pressing into my bruises. And though it hurt, I met his fiery eyes with my own heat, and I did not flinch.

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