Page 26 of Crowned

“You must,” Yemaya replies, her tone firm and unyielding.

“Why? I mean, obviously that’s what we want, but how?” I press, needing more than just an imperative.

“There’s a traitor in our midst. If you don’t go back to Aerwyna, all will be lost,” Yemaya states, her eyes darkening with the gravity of her words.

“Who is it?” I demand, feeling a chill run down my spine.

“I don’t know,” she admits, frustration evident in her voice. “It’s why I was forced to flee all those years ago. There was no other choice.”

Frustration wells up within me and I have to bite my tongue to keep from arguing with her. If she’d just trusted us, confided in us, we would have found a way to protect her. Hell, we could have run with her. It didn’t need to be like this.

“Are you coming with us?” I ask, already fearing the answer.

“I can’t. My time as queen is done. It’s time for someone new to take the throne,” Yemaya reveals, a hint of sadness in her eyes.

“But there’s no heir,” I say, confused.

“Malia, you’re the heir to the throne,” Yemaya declares, turning to Malia.

“I can’t be,” Malia protests, her voice shaking.

“You, my child, are a goddess. Your children will be queens. Until that time comes, you must safeguard the throne and protect our people,” Yemaya instructs, her voice filled with an unyielding resolve.

“How? I don’t know the first thing about ruling! I’m not one of you. And I’m the worst possible person you could choose. I–I–I—” Malia stammers, panic rising in her voice.

“It has been decided. It has to be you. The stars themselves have decreed it so,” Yemaya says with finality.

“This doesn’t make sense,” Malia mutters, her face pale.

“Malia, may I have a word with Vance in private? There are some things we need to discuss,” Yemaya requests, her eyes briefly softening.

Malia nods, and no sooner has she uttered her consent, than Yemaya clicks her fingers and Malia crumples.

My hands snap out to catch her automatically, and I glare at my queen. The woman I gave everything up for. The person I thought I loved.

“You didn’t have to do that. Malia would have given us privacy,” I seethe through gritted teeth, my anger barely contained. I would never raise a hand against my queen, but the urge to protect Malia above all others is a powerful force within me.

Yemaya’s expression remains impassive, her eyes calculating. “You forget your place, Vance. This is for the greater good.”

I tighten my grip on Malia’s unconscious form, feeling the weight of betrayal settle in my chest. “The greater good? Or your own interests?”

She raises an eyebrow, unimpressed by my defiance. “You will understand in time.”

I take a deep breath, struggling to rein in my fury. Without another word, I turn and carry Malia to a nearby bench, my mind racing with the implications of Yemaya’s actions and the choices I’ll have to make.

“She loves you,” Yemaya states simply, following me.

“Yes,” I acknowledge, the truth of it is undeniable.

“And you love her,” she continues, her eyes boring into mine.

I hesitate. “I do,” I admit finally.

“The others too,” Yemaya adds, her tone softening slightly.

I dip my head in acknowledgment, not wanting to meet my queen’s gaze. We took an oath.

“I’m glad,” she says quietly.

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