Page 87 of Glass and Bone
“What is it?” He asks as he drops down into the cushioned seat.
“Are you sending our military to the border of Chatis and Noterra?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“To keep us safe.”
“You have nothing to fear from my father.” I snap.
“I haveeverythingto fear, Ela!” He runs his fingers through his golden strands.
“What are you talking about?”
“At the carnival your father told me he wanted you to come back home for a while, to visit. When I told him no, he started to push harder, saying you needed to be with your friends and family after everything you’ve been through.” He starts to explain, his hand running through his hair.
“Okay? And that justifies starting a war?” I raise my eyebrows and his lips press into a thin line.
“I told him no,again, and he said that if I didn’t let you go, he would come and take you himself.” I snort. Like my father would even make it into the palace before he was apprehended.
“Why does he want me to return?” His face softens as he rises from the chair. “He’s never cared about me before.”
“He claimed a prophet came to him, claiming to know information about your mother.” I swallow as he steps closer. “That prophet told him you were not his daughter and that he knew who your father was.”
“What?” I spit out. My heart starts to race, and I lift my hands so Tobias doesn’t step closer. We had our suspicions, but if it’s been confirmed...
“Your father, Viktor, seems to think that because you are not his blood, he has a claim to you.”
“As what?” I spit.
“His wife.” The nausea explodes deep in my belly and my hand flies to my mouth.
“Are you serious?” I barely choke out. Tobias just nods. “This has to be a joke. I am his daughter, and I am already wed.”
“He says Sybil owes him, since he now has no heirs. He said you are not a princess; therefore you have no claim to either throne and shouldn’t be the queen. He was trying to get me to annul our wedding, saying that you were married above your station.” My eyes widen as I meet his gaze.
“What are you saying? That I can’t be a queen?” My hand flies to my throat and I try to steady my breathing.
“No, not at all, Ela. That doesn’t matter to me. You were Sybil’s daughter, and she was a queen, that isallthat matters.” I shake my head and walk over to the bar, pouring a glass of amber liquid.
“I don’t understand.” I take a sip and nearly cough as it burns its way down my throat.
“I don’t either.”
“So you are preventing anyone from entering or leaving Chatis?” He nods. “What about Scarlett and Rhea?”
“They are with our men and will be free to cross when they are ready.” I nod as I take another sip. It’s both delicious and disgusting at the same time.
“Who is my father, Tobias?” The prophet must have told him who it was if he were to be believed.
“I don’t know, Ela. I don’t think it matters.” Images flash through my mind of a handsome dark-haired prophet who kept my mother company.
“Kassius.” I whisper.
“What?”
“The prophet who counseled my mother, Kassius. He had dark hair like my mother and I. Could he be my father?”
