Page 80 of Royal Lies

Quickly backing off I dodge the incoming attacks.

I do not doubt with the amount of strength I threw into those punches my father would have thought I was using my magic to fuel my strength. That's how I'll get him. Make him think I'm using my magic to fuel my strength then pretend that I'm down and-

Kicking out I slammed the backs of my calves against his arms. It seemed that my father had been ready to block my swing. Swiftly ducking under I tried to sweep his legs from under him. My father was still as quick as he used to be, jumping three feet into the air to avoid being knocked to the ground. At least he didn't lose that about him as he swirled to roundhouse kick me followed by a swing at my jaw.

Knocking my head back to avoid the blow to the face, because myface, glamour or notIwould know that I have a bruise on my perfectly flawless features, and that just won't do. Letting out a breath of air I felt the wind being yanked out of me as his foot landed dead center on my stomach.

Fuck he could still hit like the giant he was. It was fine I accounted for it. I needed that hit to land. I allowed him a couple more hits, all but my face, to fake my exhaustion. After all, I can't just be panting for nothing. I need my father to think that I've only been using my magic for strength and not healing myself as I stumbled onto my knees as if in defeat. I allowed my magic to sense his, to monitor his movements. My father prepared to slam his fist down against my right cheek but not before he got in a mocking word, “You are still just a dumbpup, my son."

I smirked.

Swiftly shifting to my left leg I swept my right foot under his two feet, effectively landing him on his ass. Or he would have if I allowed him to. Using my ice magic to throw spear after spear of ice daggers I knocked him against the walls of the battleground before encasing his body in ice. I didn't want to have to humiliate him any more than necessary as I brought him to the center stage bending that block of ice to my control as my father struggled, his face and body streaming small rivers of blood from my miniature daggers. He glared up at me as I turned to the crowd. I hated this part, I always have.

But itneededto be done.

"This is the man you once called king, and now you shall have a new king, a more fitful King. I, Eli Scalivander Luscious Gillian Avalar Vallian Lion Wolf, am now your new king!" I boomed just as I slammed my iceberg down into my father's chest. I swore he smiled, a glint of pride coated his eyes as he whispered his final words, "Check my drawers." I heard him whisper, as confusion and a small ting of remorse tainted my victory.

Chapter 25

Fletcher

I never had a hard childhood per se. It was fine, my father wasn't the proudest father a son could have but I lived. It didn't take a genius to point out how disappointed he was with my lack of Wolf. That I didn't show the proper attitude a Wolf should have. Sure I always won fencing, sword, and axe-throwing matches with my trainers but it was never good enough for him. I was always just lacking in the attitude department. I was tooweak-minded, toosympathetic. Not to mention my father always hated my little laboratory. He did so much as to even move my lab down into the dungeons.

Which was great for me, it made it a lot easier to slip in my victims-I mean my guests. Instead of having to trail down the long endless hallways of ice and sapphires, diamonds, and topazes. I simply had to slip in through the garden gates, guide them into the secret passageway, down the stairs, and into the dungeon. What's more, I didn't have to force up mindless chatter with those women for too long. It was all worth the effort ofcourtingthem when I heard their screams. Watched as their blood spilled freely onto the damp cobbled stone floor of their cages. In a way, I supposed they looked like trapped birds. It was so fun, the only entertainment those balls presented. How they would beg for their freedom, go as far as to believe that I was under some kind of spell. That was how desperately broken they were to wish what they experienced was just a nightmare.Thoselittle birdies were the best to play with. I would pretend one day that I was back to “normal” and the next day that I was “being controlled” again.

But now I have Everetta, she was the first person to see through me.

Perhaps it was because she had to live a life of lies herself, always fending off against the rapid dogs of her court. The vultures flying overhead just waiting for you to give in.

Picking up a vial I stirred the brownish concoction.

I remembered that day when my fascination turned into something different, she'd gone through a breakup with Lucarious at the time. Her bright golden waves streamed from her back like waves on the shore glistening against the moonlight. I was going to make her my next victim. It was the perfect time, I saw her crying as she fled the ballroom. Her face was masked in her golden locks, hand clasped over her mouth as she dashed out. Her beauty would have been such a sight to behold after I crushed it. But despite my expectations of tears and red eyes, I saw none of that.

"I could see you staring from there. If you wanna talk you might as well sit next to me." Her voice sounded rather bored for someone who had just gone through apublicbreakup. I mean,hedumpedherlive,in front ofeveryone, declaring Akasuki as his fiancée. I would have been pissed at the very least. The humiliation would have been enough for me to kill the King of Blood and Flames. Of course, I wouldn't show it but I would still be pissed. I would kill him in secret as he snored in his bed, that would have been when I would strike. My father always chastised me for such cowardly ways. He’d say it was too underhanded for us noble Wolves.Itold him to sod off. My life wasmineto do with. Besides, it was my work that kept our court afloat amongst the rumors and gossip. My shadow work was what kept the Wolf Court royal family from being murdered. My father soon had to acknowledge that fact. It was the reason he never stopped myhobbies.

I smiled my charming smile making my way over to the elegantly furnished wooden bench. I had wondered what wouldhappen if I attacked another royal family. If I had gone after Everetta would the Griffin and Wolf Court have gone to war?

"Thank you, I'm sorry I didn't mean to stare you just looked so-"

She'd cut me off before I could even make any attempt of flattery. It wasn't a lie what I was going to say, she was gorgeous.

"Please, don't waste your breath. I'm really tired today, between your brother's damn hassling about etiquette and elegance, andmy queen's damn hounding about impressions and reputation, I'm about drained from the day. Don't get me wrong I love them both but, for magics’ sake, they're both just so annoying. Don't do that, do this, not that, take this, wear that, don't eat that. Honestly, if it was up to me I‘d run away by now. I don't even give two shits about the crown. All I want is a nice simple life, is that too much to ask?" She rattled on before chugging a bottle of fairy wine. Lucarious would never just serve simple alcohol; it was always going to be the best of the best and also the most alcoholic. Even one shot would make any normal fae topple over in a daze. Yet, here she is still bright-eyed and sober. I was left speechless for the first time in my life.

"If it wasn't for the queen's wishes I wouldn't even be here.” She began again before chugging another swig of her wine.

“Hell, this whole thing was Lucarious’ idea. The whole reason I'm in this damn societal mess is because I lost a fucking coin flip. Coward, he fucking knew he couldn't beat me so he used a coin fucking flip. You know-" She continued, pausing as she popped a whole two-foot werehound drumstick in her hands. The brown glimmering sheen of the cooked meat did look rather appetizing, I'll admit that, but I certainly wouldn't have chopped down on it like she was.

Taking a meaty bite of the thing and swallowing, her throat bobbing from the chunk she inhaled, Everetta turned to me, "-I only agreed to flip the coin 'cause we've known each other foryears. So for our friendship's sake, I decided to grant him his favor cause I lost. Who the fuck knew his favor was going to put me into deep shit with my court. I mean does he even know the complications of all this breakup shit. Mhfm, this is really good. Anyway, we were the ideal couple, the most fearsome, and now, me-" Everetta stated, her mouth full of meat again. She swallowed the lump of thigh meat.

"Me- the saintess of the Griffins, the favored child of my court is fucking dumped. Does he even know the black mark he's stained on my reputation? And now I have to-" She took another bite of the juicy meat.

"Now I have to fix it all before my queen finds out. I mean getting dumped once was fine, I did the dumping, but who the fuck doeshethink he is to dumpme, likethat. Does he know how much sucking up I’ll have to do now to get the nobles on my side again? They'll find one way or another to twist this damn breakup into making me look like I'm unfit to be the saintess."

Another swallow and bite.

"I'm by no means religious but you know the creature conservation the church does? If I'm not the saint who knows what the next one would do with the creatures? Oh an' don't look at me like that, I know who you are. Wanna bite?" Handing me her half-eaten meat, her eyes seemed to say ‘Go ahead’. I cleared my throat, blinking in shock as I stared wide-eyed at the bone peeking out of the monstrous meat. How in the lords had she eaten all of that in a matter of minutes?

"I'd like to respectfully decline." I stared at the mass in horror as I firmly shook my head. Everetta shrugged, taking another bite. Her willowing blue gown Eli had fitted her in really looked stunning in the moonlight. The glow of the rubies against the navy blue, and the golden embroidery of wings against her chest line. Simply magnificent.

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