Page 84 of Chaos Tempted

“Isn’t that what you wanted?” Turgon stands to leave. “Your previous acts of aggression haven’t gone unnoticed.”

Surprised, I speak without thinking. “What?”

Turgon flashes the king a look of disgust. “He gifted humans withourterritory, and they built their farms on our reserves, draining us of life. Threatening the safety of everyone, human and Elven alike.”

“Is this true?” I ask, eyes wide with disbelief.

“None of theirhomesare in your territory,” Nathaniel points out.

“Not yet, but their farmlands are.” Turgon leans forward and places his fists on the king’s desk—a disrespectful move. “You planned to slowly encroach and drain the lands of resources.”

King Nathaniel’s eyes flash with fury. “Elves have plagued us for centuries. Your war massacred our people. When all you had to do was talk to us, explain your plight. Instead, you attacked. Then youstealmy child and raise her as a slave. And after all that, your princeclaimsher body and soul along with his two vermin!”

Nathaniel’s fists smash onto his massive wooden desk, making the room rattle with his force. I flinch.

The king rages on, face red with anger, “And the first time I see her in twenty years, she is broken and near death because of Elven hands. Under Magnus’ threat, I send her back to your realm, only to have her return because of some blasted curse! And within a few weeks ofmatingwith your prince, she is dead!”

“You started this,” Turgon growls.

“No, you did. Unleashing ghouls onto innocent villagers is a coward’s move. I have had enough of your kind.” The king shoves a finger in Turgon’s face. “If you want a war, you’ll have one.”

Turgon smirks and walks out of the room. “See you on the battlefield.”

After Turgon leaves the king’s private meeting chamber, my father shouts at Rhys and me, “Leave me!”

I’m more than willing to vacate the premises.

How have the realms spun so out of control?

I pull on Rhys’ hand to follow me down the hall. Once inside my private quarters, I clasp his hand tighter. “What just happened?”

“Apparently, the kings have manifested their wish. A war.” Rhys moves closer and holds me to his chest to comfort me.

Wrapped in his muscular arms, I turn my head to the side and gaze into the distance, wondering about everything Turgon claims. “Did my father break the treaty by allowing people to settle on fae territory?”

Rhys sighs, reluctant to acknowledge what his king has done. “Unfortunately, I know of an encampment to the north. King Nathaniel warned me after Wynstelle’s first visit that I may have to lead troops out there. But I didn’t know our people had encroached on their lands.”

“Why would he risk so much to steal their territories? There are a lot of unclaimed lands he could have taken.”

“From what I saw just now, I believe he’s angry about Wynstelle. Perhaps he has always boiled inside.” Rhys tilts his head, thinking back on Turgon’s meeting. “Do you think Wynstelle was actually a sickling?”

“What?” My eyes go wide with disbelief. “Why would you ask such a thing?”

“The way King Nathaniel said that the elves hadstolenhis daughter. I don’t know… it just felt off. Like the swap hadn’t been for her well-being at all, but a hostage situation.”

“Even if it was for her well-being, my father might have felt like it was a hostage situation. For the last two decades, he had no contact with Wynstelle until she was brutally assaulted and unexpectedly dumped into this realm and left to die.”

“Perhaps no one has been influencing his emotions. He has likely been holding his anger at bay.” Rhys frowns.

“Yes. His emotional dam cracked when confronted with Wynstelle and the elves.” I step away from Rhys and wring my hands, realizing how dangerous my father might be. “But I still think some power is nudging him down a dark path.”

“What can we do to stop this?” Rhys paces.

“I’m not sure if we can now.” I nod to the courtyard as I watch Turgon and his bodyguards leave. “Commander Turgon will gather his army and probably already has King Magnus’ permission to attack at will.”

“What if Turgon never returns to his soldiers?” Rhys asks with a hopeful tone.

“That would only delay the inevitable.” I sigh heavily. I feel my emptiness again. “Do you think it’s true? Is Prince Eldrin dead?”

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