Page 89 of Heir of Illusion

“Thank you for your assistance,” Thorne says to the Goddess of Divination.

“You’re welcome.” She turns her golden gaze on him, her voice low. “But I have warned you before, Killian, while some futures are not set in stone, others are inevitable. You seek to alter a fate which cannot be changed.”

He bows his head, his face hard with determination. “I thank you for your council.”

“But you will not heed it.” Her resigned tone suggests this is a topic they’ve discussed before.

I think she’s going to leave, but instead she turns that unsettling stare on me. Similar to what happened earlier, I’m filled with the uncomfortable sense that she’s seeing all the dark secrets I hide within me.

“You are so much more than this,”she says softly.

I take a step back, blood draining from my face. Those words that Leona said to me all those years ago. The ones I say to myself on the nights Baylor summons me. The ones I keep repeating, even though I know they aren’t true.

“When you’re ready,” she continues, “you already know where to search for the answers you seek. I only hope that you’ll be willing to embrace them. The truth cannot be fought, child. Only accepted.”

She takes a step back, her silk dress swaying from the movement. Her painted lips curve into a smile, but there’s something melancholy about it. “Enjoy your evening. I’m sure it will be a memorable one.”

I quickly lose sight of her as she disappears into the crowd. The desire to flee from the ballroom is strong, but unfortunately, my legs are frozen to the spot.

“Iverson,” Thorne begins. “I?—”

His words are drowned out by the sound of a trumpet blaring through the room, demanding our attention.

Kaldar steps onto the now empty dais, soaking in the applause of the crowd. From the corner of my eye, I spot Bridgid and her father shoving people out of their way as they move closer to the platform. So, the moment has finally arrived? A spark of nervous energy ignites inside me as I wait for the announcement that will change my life.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Kaldar speaks over the crowd. “Honored guests, it is my great privilege to introduce our illustrious ruler. I give you King Baylor, the Beast of the Battle!”

The man of the hour steps onto the stage amid a sea of applause. After a few minutes, the room quiets down enough for him to speak.

“I want to thank you all for joining me this evening to celebrate my twenty-fifth anniversary as king of the Seventh Isle,” he says, scanning the faces before him. “I am honored that you have trusted me with this position for so many years. I hope I have made you proud.”

Everyone claps. I want to roll my eyes at his humble tone, noting how it sounds slightly too rehearsed. He doesn’t care at all about making anyone proud. He’d kill anyone in this room if it meant he could hang on to power a little longer. Glancing to my right, I realize I’ve lost Thorne as the crowd has pushed in.

“Tonight, I can’t help but think about someone who is not with us.” Baylor’s tone turns somber as his gaze falls. “My late wife, Leona.”

My spine goes rigid at the sound of her name. I don’t think he’s spoken it since she died.

“This kingdom misses her greatly,” Baylor continues. “Over the past year, I’ve realized how much my queen did for us. How special she was to our kingdom.”

Many people in the crowd nod with sympathy, despite the fact that not a single one of them mourned her. Naomi dabs a nonexistent tear from her cheek as Darcus comforts her.

“This is why I believe the time is right for me to take a new wife,” Baylor’s voice grows louder with excitement. “You shall have a new queen!”

Everyone cheers. The ladies of court size each other up with daggers in their eyes, all prepared to fight to the death for the position. Bridgid ignores them all as she smooths out her dress and fusses with her curls. A bright smile lights up her face in anticipation of her name being called. I guess she was right, after all.

“I’d like to announce my engagement to a beautiful and talented young woman in our midst tonight,” he says. “A woman I believe you will all grow to love as much as I do.”

Everyone leans forward, desperate for his next words.

“Please congratulate my fiancée, Lady Iverson Pomeroy.”

Shock radiates through me, and I’m sure I must have heard him wrong.

A few people clap, but the room is mostly silent. Kaldar stands at the edge of the dais, his mouth hanging open. Bridgid’s head snaps in my direction as her cheeks turn red with a mixture of anger and embarrassment. A few people send nasty glances my way, but most are too shocked to do anything other than gape.

I shake my head. Surely Baylor made a mistake and said the wrong name. This can’t be right.

My father appears by my side, gripping my arm painfully.

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