Page 119 of Fate of a Faux

Haide jumps to her feet, a smile growing across her face. “No...”

“Oh, yeah.” London smirks.

“What are we missing?” Legend glares.

“Mother isn't sitting somewhere waiting for execution. She’s been banished.” I look to Haide, the puzzle pieces of who she is and where she came from coming together. “She’s on Exile Island... with a gang of angry Stygians.”

“Oh.Shit.”

Thirty-Two

Knight

Spinningthe dagger that killed our father in my hand, I step out into the hall, admiring the work that went into these walls.

After the coronation, afterYemon, our people needed a purpose deeper than the one they already serve, so when a group of our finest craftsmen came to us with an idea, we were all ears.

They asked for permission to have the honor of constructing the new and improved Royal mansion, one that would represent not a king and his queen, but each King and his future Queen when she comes along.

With Vicente and Odin overseeing and approving, that's exactly what they did.

Now, raised high into the skies of Rathe, at the edge of the Royal Estate, sits our new home.

Each wall among mine and London's wing, the north wing, tells a different story should you pause long enough to watch it.Our story and the paths that lead us to the crowns that sit on our heads. It's a reminder that every moment was one we fought for.

I will never stop fighting for her, for us, for our brothers, and our people.

It’s only been two weeks since we were given our roles and Rathe has never been stronger, our people never more united. Even the Argents.

They needed guidance and they hadn't experienced a hint of it since the death of their leaders and the forming of the Ministry. They see it now, why our father held strong, and fought against them at every turn.

Only those who understand the weight of a crown can carry the weight of their people.

We will hold them as strong as we will Stygians, as equal civilians of magic, so long as their loyalty remains ours. For now, it is. The moment that changes, and one day it will, they will be dealt with swiftly and without mercy.

“I smell fresh churned caramel and the sweet crack of fresh pepper.”

I look down the hall to find Haide coming around the corner and raising a dark brow.

“Plotting a massacre so soon, are we?” Her eyes glitter. “Who dies first?”

A low chuckle leaves me, and I shake my head, stepping out onto the levitating platform.Haide pops up by me, hiding something behind her back. “No massacres and no deaths today. Sorry, little psycho.”

“I know what I smelt. You were thinking about killing someone.”

I look out over the foyer below, royal staff members darting from one direction to another, everyone finalizing their tasks for the night. “You are good, I'll give you that, but it was more a metaphorical thought than an actual plan.”

She shrugs a shoulder, a smug expression taking over her face. “Knew it.”

The platform reaches the glittery black floor, and we step off, watching as it disappears into the air.

“Why are you in your gear?” I ask, looking down at the same outfit she wore the day we met.

“Don't want to leave any of my things behind.” My brows pull, but before I can ask, her hands come around revealing what she was keeping behind her back. “Here, I made this for you.”

My attention falls to the item she’s holding. “You made me something?”

“Are you going to take it or are you going to stare at it?” she snaps.

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