Page 104 of Cages and Crowns
“Figuratively speaking.” Scarlett interjects.
“Agreed.” Kass replies, defeat makes his eyes darken.
“Well isn’t this sweet?” Davenport smirks from his place at the table.
“You.” I say through gritted teeth. “We are done with whatever game you are playing. I am sick and tired of being controlled and cornered. Everyone wants something from me. Every single person in this damn palace. I am done.” My hand slips from Enzo’s as I grip the back of the chair. “This is my council room. This ismypalace. And this ismycontinent. I haven’t been given very many choices in my life, but that stops now. Your reign is over.”
“I beg your pardon?” He says with a choked laugh. I can feel heat barreling through my veins, begging to ignite.
“Then beg.” My eyes narrow and I lift my chin to stare down my nose at his scrawny figure. This poor excuse for a man and a king. His smile fades as he looks behind me. To the place where Kassius and Enzo moved, the place where I can feel Scarlett, and smell Nithe’s citrusy scent. My people.
Mycourt.
“I don’t know who you think you are—”
“My name is Elaenor Dragehna, first of her name.Iam High Queen of Viridiana. Child of King Argent Nottingham and Queen Sybil Monvoison. I am the granddaughter of the High Witch of Zivell and the King of Vodia. I have been soldtwice. I have had things done to me that people can’t even begin to comprehend by more men than I can count. I am the vessel in which starlight sparks and my heir grows.” I can hear someone gasp behind me, and I realize I just revealed my pregnancy toeveryone. A pregnancy that would only be a couple weeks old if it was Nithe’s. I silently curse myself. “I am notaqueen; I amthequeen. And if you want to take residence in my home,my continent, you will learn your place. Nowbeg.” I can feel my fingers spark and I don’t have to look down to know that the starlight is there, listening to me for once.
Davenport stares, his eyes icy and filled with rage. He slowly stands, planting his hands on the table.
“You may—” He starts.
“Your queen gave you an order.” A voice pipes up behind me and I glance slightly to the side to see Nero, his hand on a sword strapped to his waist.Nithe steps forward, blocking my view and puts a hand on my lower back.
“Beg.” He says, his voice filled with years of rage and resentment as he stares at his father. His fingers flex against my back and I lean into it. Into him. Into my people.
I have people. I felt so alone. But I have people and that feelsempowering.
Davenport slowly lifts his hands from the table, one finger at a time, before stepping out from behind it.
“Your Grace—”
“On your knees.” Nithe says. He glares at his son before dropping to the floor. His trousers brushing the dirty wood.
“Your—”
“Hands on the floor.” Nithe’s hand flexes on my back again as I speak. A silent acknowledgement. I’m not just doing this for me, I’m doing this for him. For the years of abuse he suffered from his father’s hands. Davenport complies, his face going red. His palms touch the floor and I feel an overwhelming urge to vomit. Sweat beads along my hairline and I swallow.
“Your Grace. I beg yourforgiveness.” The room stays silent for a minute, until Nithe slides his hand from my lower back to my hip.
“You can say whatever you want, but I’d recommend letting him stand. We may not approve of him, but he controls our armies.” His breath is hot as he whispers in my ear.
“You may rise.” He stands quickly, his face red from anger and embarrassment. “Don’t speak to me like that again. Don’t speak to anyone, regardless of their station, as if they are beneath you. You do as you’re asked without hesitance. Do you understand?” I command.
“Yes, YourMajesty.” He responds through gritted teeth. I nod once before stepping out of Nithe’s arms and into the hallway. My hand finds my stomach, my free hand resting on the wall. I lean forward, taking deep breaths.
“I guess the question of are you actually pregnant already has an answer.” Scarlett’s arms wrap around me. “Lean on me.” She whispers and I relax myweight into her. I let her guide me to the stairs before another pair of arms go around me.
“She’s burning up, she needs to go to the infirmary.” Someone says as my eyes close.
“Alright, well I will take her there.” An arm goes around my knees and then I am resting my head on someone’s shoulder. “Excuse me! Ser!” Scarlett yells as the person starts to walk. My eyes open slightly, and I see dirty blonde hair.
“Theo?” I whisper. Blue eyes meet mine and I nearly gasp. I blink once and they return to hazel.
“You’re alright.” Nero whispers before I pass out.
Chapter Fifty-Three
The Caged
