EMBER POV
"The only way he leaves this cell, is if Ember says so." Evander said.
The oldest, Elder turned red in the face. "Are you kidding me? You're putting a royal life in the hands of a mere servant girl? This is insane!"
"She's not just a servant," His Majesty growled, and the shadows around him started to crawl. "She is the Anchor. She's more important to me than most of the people in this room."
Prince Julian looked at me, his eyes desperate. He actually started to drop to his knees to beg me, but then a voice stopped him.
"Your Majesty, this really isn't a good look." Her voice was calm but yet held authority.
I turned around. It was Princess Isadora. She walked in looking all perfect and calm. "People are gonna think you're being partial. It's not fair to your own blood."
"Shut it," His Majesty snapped at her. "You got no right to talk about politics in my kingdom."
Princess Isadora didn't back down. She gave him this soft-sweet look. "I'm here to guide you, my lord." She gave him a bow.
"Isn't that out of your place?" Evander gave a deadly smirk then added, "in my kingdom, you're a absolute nobody."
"Your majesty," one of the council member called. But then he swallowed his remaining words ,when Evander gave him a deadly glare.
"I dare not to challenge your judgment." She bowed even lower, "for your word is law, but however," she paused, then raised her head high , and said;… "As the 'soon' to be bride of His majesty it will fair for me to walk him through the right path ,especially when I feel he's lost."
Evander walked towards her, then leaned in just slightly, voice barely above a whisper.
"If you ever imply that I am 'lost' again… this room will forget you ever spoke."
Isadora froze.
For a moment she just stared at him, like the words had knocked the breath out of her. The confidence she walked in with faded a little, not enough to embarrass her outright, but enough for everyone to see the crack in her posture.
Her fingers curled into the fabric of her gown as if she needed something to hold on to.
When she finally spoke, her voice came out softer than before.
"Your Majesty… I did not mean it that way."
She lowered her gaze quickly. The calm smile she always used as her shield was gone. There was a flicker of fear in her eyes when she looked up again, and she stepped back as though getting too close to him was dangerous.
She bowed, deeper than before.
"My lord, forgive me. I overstepped."
Her shoulders were stiff, and she tried to hide the small shake in her hands. Even with everyone watching, she suddenly looked unsure of herself, almost like she realized she had pushed too far.
When she glanced up at him one more time, there was none of that usual sweetness.
She looked at him like someone who finally understood exactly what kind of man she was dealing with.
Evander watched her without a hint of sympathy.
Her bow, her tremble, her apology. None of it softened him.
"Good," he said quietly. "Then remember it."
He stepped a little closer.
"Do not speak on matters you do not understand," he said, his voice calm and sharp at the same time. "And do not try to guide me again. You are here because I allow it."
His eyes moved over her face for a moment.
"Do not mistake that for power."
He turned away from her.
"Princess Isadora looked like she'd been slapped. She turned and walked straight up to me. She leaned in close so only I could hear. "Is this how you want people to see him? If he lets his brother die because of you, the whole pack is gonna hate him. Is that what you want for His Majesty?"
My stomach did a flip. I didn't want him to be hated. I rushed out from my hiding place and stood in front of him. I could see everyone's eyes piercing into my skin, I know how much they despise me.
"Please," I said, my voice shaky. "I forgive him. Just let him out. Please, Your Majesty." I bowed my head down.
He didn't want to. I could see the muscles in his jaw ticking.
Evander looked at me for a long moment. He didn't blink. He didn't move. It felt like the whole room was waiting for me to take the words back.
"So you forgive him," he finally said. His voice was steady, almost flat. "You are certain of that."
"Uhmm…. Yes, I do." I nodded, even though my stomach was twisting.
He took one slow step toward me. I could feel his attention settle on me completely, like he was checking for even the smallest lie.
"You are not saying this because anyone pushed you," he said. "You are saying it because you choose to."