Page 35 of Scales and Seduction

“No, the barriers aren’t failing. Ruby’s arrival was unplanned, but I believe fate brought her here.” The tone in Gideon’s voice is ambiguous, but I know what he’s alluding to. “I can’t reassure you all that she’s uninvolved, but I intend to give you proof.”

“That is absurd!” the orc male blurts out. “She is a security risk, and I am betting this attack is her doing. The barriers were in place to keep us safe fromher kind.” The vitriol he’s spewing feels like tiny daggers cutting at the end of my resolve. I can feel my chest restrict and tears well in my eyes. I hate this because I feel so unequipped to speak up for myself.

“Now, now, Dothan.” Suddenly, the light airy voice of the centaur woman sings through the air. “One tiny human woman does not a problem make,” she says, and the more she speaks, the more there’s almost a wash of calm over the room. “Our prince regent has promised he will give us information as he knows it.”

She places a hand on the orc’s shoulder. It appears kind, but a hint of fear flits across his face. “Now, Prince Gideon, why not come by tomorrow and give us all the details. I’ll make tea.”

“I would love that,” Gideon says, though his voice seems tense. Are they all afraid of this beautiful centaur? I mean, she looks more like a fairy princess than anyone to be afraid of. Still, it seems no one can say no to her.

“Good.” She chuckles, and her hand falls away. “Now, let’s all get to work on making sure there are no further attacks for the night. We will reconvene in the morning.”

At her insistence, the other council members bow their heads respectfully, though they all appear unnerved. They haveall gone rod-straight, and all of them appear to have a thin layer of sweat dotting their brows.

She must be powerful if they bow to her so easily—that, or she’s sitting on a mountain of secrets they can’t afford to see the light of day.

“We will keep in touch,” she says, sharply marking the end of the conversation. As the four of them stride out of the foyer, all of us release a collective exhale.

The tension in the air remains thick and ever-present even after the council leaves the room. There’s a collective exhale, but my mother’s burning gaze is only the start of her fury.

“Gideon, darling, can I have a moment?” She uses her fake courteous tone, placing her manicured hand to her face with a poised smile. “Please, everyone, rest in the lounge. I’ll have brandy served immediately.”

Craning my head, I give her a curt nod. “I’ll meet you in the study momentarily.”

She snarls, “Of course, dear,” through tight lips, breaking her perfectly poised and unperturbed façade, before she leaves the room.

I turn my attention to Ruby immediately as the others begin clearing the room. I’ve sensed her anxiety the entire conversation, though I couldn’t act upon it at all, which has done nothing but make my stomach ache. The moment I face her, I see the fear lingering in her eyes and her bloody lip from her constant chewing. Her hand is holding Loran’s firmly, her knuckles nearly white from gripping him as tightly as she can.

“Stay with Loran and Silas. I promise once I’m finished, we’ll go home.” I place a kiss to the top of her head, inhaling her scent and praying it may calm my nerves. The lingering scent of shampoo and our two scents mingling together help briefly. I want to hold her and wipe away the terror on her face, but I know I have to move quickly, or my mother will burn down the castle.

Loran nods while Silas stands in the corner rubbing his nails together. A natural tell that he’s concerned with his mother’s involvement tonight. Calista rarely speaks her mind, but when she does, it’s often because she has the upper hand. I’m unsure what she may have communicated to Silas telepathically, but the look on his face tells me more than words could convey.

The moment I enter the study, my mother’s fury is radiating off her in waves. She’s standing by the hearth, her posture rigid as her fingers grip a crystal goblet so tight, I’m afraid it might break.

“Did you think none of us would notice?” Her voice is low and dangerous, and there’s an edge of disappointment that cuts deep. “A human woman, and you flaunted her around us all tonight. Now there’s been an attack! Do you expect me to ignore the obvious? She is connected to this, isn’t she?”

I steel myself, willing my pulse to remain steady despite the rage lingering in her eyes. “She came to the Vale unexpectedly,” I say carefully. “I assure you it wasn’t planned.”

I hesitate, toying with the thought of revealing everything. I want to tell her about the attack at the cottage and what Loran suspects, but, if my mother is involved, then saying too much could be dangerous. Still, I have to give her something. “I believe Ruby is my mate.”

It comes out of my mouth so matter-of-factly that the look of whiplash crossing her face nearly makes me laugh. Instead, I bite it down.

Her lips thin as she spits, “And that justifies her in my castle?” She hisses, “Do you have any idea the chaos you’ve just caused? The rumor mills alone, Gideon!” Mother takes a giant gulp of the wine, leaving only dregs clinging to the crystal.

“I know you’re frustrated,” I say, firmly meeting her eyes. “I didn’t plan for this, but I won’t deny it either. I can’t fight against fate.”

“Like hell you can’t!” Her voice cracks with unfiltered rage. “What about the engagement? We had an alliance. You’re jeopardizing everything this family has built!” She slams the empty glass onto the mantel, and the crystal rings around the room as it vibrates. “This is bigger than your whims, Gideon. We need Avalon’s family, their resources and their power. Having their protection and magic would allow our territory to expand.”

“I understand the stakes,” I say firmly. Stepping closer, my gaze remains on hers. “And I will speak to the council and Avalon’s family of my intentions with Ruby. I don’t need you to fight my battles for me.”

My mother’s face flushes with frustration. She closes her eyes as she inhales, forcing back anger. “You have no idea what you’re doing,” she mumbles dangerously. “Her parents won’t take this lightly. They hold far more influence than you realize.” She steps forward, lowering her voice to a sharp whisper. “And what about the attack, Gideon? You bring a human into the Vale somehow, and suddenly we’re under siege? Do you think that’s a coincidence?”

I clench my jaw as she continues to prod, finding ways to pull more information from me. “You’re grasping at shadows, Mother. There’s no proof she had anything to do with it.”

My mother rolls her eyes with a haughty scoff. “There is no proof she didn’t either.” Her eyes narrow as she calculates in her mind another way to hurt me. “The council won’t be so blind. They will connect the dots, and if they do, then your littlehuman won’t be so lucky. Your father and Atticus understood that. They knew what it took to lead.”

The comparison is a familiar pain, one that for a long time I’ve learned to endure, but it doesn’t lessen the sting. “I know I’m not Atticus,” I keep my tone controlled. “I know I don’t have the same magic he did, and my body is weaker. I know I’ve always been a disappointment to you. Imagine your own flesh and blood was less than your stepson.” I breathe steadily as I train my face to remain stoic. “But I am still the heir, and my decision is final. Ruby is my mate, and I am interested in marrying no one but her.”

My mother stares at me with simmering fury that ebbs away into silence. For a moment I wonder if I should apologize, but I think better of it. It’s important she realize that, as the heir, I have the power here, not her. That my decisions are final, and I won’t be undermined.

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