Avenged

♕ Chapter 2b

The Queen’s disdainful eyes rolled up and down my body, searching for my rumored deformity as if it were contagious or something.

“I thought you had a limp?” the Queen asked, her tone sugar-laced but eyes sharp.

I smiled sweetly, unfazed. “I outgrew it, Your Majesty. Years of therapy and determination.”

Her gaze swept my figure like a blade. I held my breath.

“This dress is beautiful,” I added, gesturing toward her violet gown, hoping to steer the topic off my supposed deformity.

A pause. Her lips pursed, but she inclined her head in acknowledgment—barely. Then she stalked off without another word. I doubt many people would recognize the dress as my mothers. I did.

“I thought you were interesting last night; no one speaks up to my parents the way you just did. You are quite unique, Lady Devendale,” Adonis whispered to me after his parents wandered away.

I feigned confusion, “We didn’t meet last night, did we? Oh my, were you…” he smiled at my fake realization.

“I’m thankful the fates led me to you so quickly. I could use a true friend, and I have a feeling you and I will get along perfectly,” he grinned.

A tiny sliver of guilt pierced my heart. My parents, while I had them, were firm believers of honesty and second chances. Only the weak can’t forgive, my mother often said. That was before their friends murdered them and my brother.

“As am I. Since the second I arrived, everyone has been sneaking glances at me or even outright staring at me, as if I were some kind of oddity.”

“You are the shiny new attraction at the court this year. You are definitely not what I expected and very few people surprise me. You certainly caught my attention.” His smile was disarming. For a moment it felt like it used to.

“As you will do well to remember, that was certainly not my goal. I’d much prefer to be a bystander, watching the majesty of the court from the side. Being an attraction does not appeal to me.”

“I’m afraid it’s too late for that. You seem to have my mother's attention as well,” he tipped his face toward his mother who was most definitely staring at us. Then shot me another charming, cheeky grin. “Don’t let her intimidate you. She is fiercely protective of what’s hers. I know she seems stern, but she does have a heart in there, buried deep down. She’s quite closed-off with anyone but immediate family out of necessity.”

“Oh, it must be lonely to live your life so closed-off. Does that mean you don’t get along with your mother? Oh, I’m sorry. That was too personal. Please, forgive me, my Prince.”

“First, please call me Adonis. Yesterday, we were just two people talking, no titles, and I’d like to maintain that with you. Second, I do love my mother, but sometimes doing what’s right to protect the Kingdom requires … sacrifices. She can be… firm,” he paused a little, groping for the right words.

That woman wormed her way in as one of my mother’s closest friends. Then, she used everything she knew to set her up. She sacrificed my parents for her crown. Firm and closed-off are an understatement.

“The worst betrayals come from those we trust the most,” I muttered.

“Often, that’s indeed the case. It’s like what you were saying last night; you never quite know who wants you for the person you are and who just wants your influence, position, or power,” Adonis continued. Once again, my heart squeezed slightly. He seemed so sweet now. I could never trust him again, though. Once upon a time, I thought he was my true friend, one that liked me for me. I was deceived.

The herald’s trumpet blasted an announcement indicating the time to take our places for dinner. Adonis walked me to my seat, pulling my chair out for me. I blushed for real at the smile he gave me when I thanked him. Now, I definitely had the attention of the whole room.

“The Crown Prince seems to like you,” snarled the girl beside me. Duchess Sophie Clarion, wife of the Duke of the East. As the daughter of a friend of my father’s, she too had once been a friend of mine. However, she’d always been obsessed with Adonis and had gladly and rapidly turned against me.

“Oh, I think he is just being polite. It’s been such a long time since I’ve been to court. He speaks highly of you.”

“He does?” She changed her tone.

As the first dish was served, chatter broke out across the table.

“Oh, yes. He said you were a friend and that he’d like to introduce us since you know everyone, and everything that’s happening around Central City. My brother was supposed to be here with me tonight, and I’m honest, I feel a little lost without him. I’ve barely left home in... well, a long time. I could certainly use your insight,” I nodded.

My brother was the second most eligible bachelor in the Kingdom and handled all the Duke’s business now. Everyone who was someone wanted him on their side. So the family I belonged to, and Adonis’ sudden interest in me, persuaded the Duchess of the East to take me under her wing. Leaning in, she gave me a running, gossip-laden, commentary of everyone and everything happening at the table. When she asked about my disability, I gave her the same tale I told earlier. I was sure that was everyone’s first question, so I might as well let the gossip mongers have at it right away.

Things seemed to be going well until the King slammed his fist on the table.

“The Bright Brigade is nothing! Nothing! They are nothing but anarchists! Rebels!”

“The Bright Brigade? I asked Duchess Sophie in a whisper, but since it was silent now, everyone heard.

The King glared at me, “You’ve never heard of them? I shouldn’t be surprised. Your father kept you naïve.”

“The Bright Brigade are a group of agitators. They’ve been attacking Central City and terrorizing the people by sowing unfounded rebel notions. Their primary goal is to cause dissent,” the Price explained to me.

“Pamphlets can hardly be called attacks, Prince Adonis,” reasoned the Duke Clarion of the North. “Not everything they say is untrue,” the Duke added with a look to the King.

The King's eyes glowed as the fire in his soul raged out of control.

“We did what was necessary,” he hissed.

“Yes, my King,'' everyone answered in unison.

Clearly, the King was shaken.

Good. Let the fun begin!

The long silence was broken by the appearance of a massive rock that came in a flash of light and hovered about three feet above the massive dinner table, just long enough to allow everyone to register the burning symbol of resistance emblazoned on every side. Then, it plummeted with enough speed to collapse the table, causing the dishes to bounce to the sides and forcing the people backward.

“Not just pamphlets anymore, is it, Elijah? This stunt could have killed anyone at this table. Your wife even! Your sympathies to these anarchists have me questioning your loyalty,” the King snarled.

“I proved my loyalty long ago, my King.”

I watched Duke Clarion carefully as he answered, and I swear I saw a glimpse of anger, followed by regret. Perhaps I could use that.

“Then, I expect to hear your plans for how you intend to put this issue to rest during our meeting in the morning,” he rolled his furious eyes from Duke Elijah Clarion to each and every member of the King’s Council, one by one.

Finally, he summoned a large fireball in each hand, concentrating the fire until each burned brightly. Then, he thrust his hands at the rock and poured his energy onto it. It took a few minutes for him to melt the rock until it, and the table’s remains were vaporized.

With his anger appeased and his power flaunted, he stomped from the room, his Queen following silently behind.

For the first time since I’d arrived tonight, everyone thankfully seemed to forget about my presence, or that my interacting with the prince was odd. Once again, I faded into the background and opened my ears. I slipped out during the commotion that followed the King’s departure.

When I returned to my Deven House, I found a note in my pillow. It read, “I’m watching you.”

I’d only been here a few days; how could I have attracted an enemy already? I’d been careful. There was no way anyone could have discovered who I truly was.

This must be a prank. The Prince’s attention had gained me more than a few jealous looks tonight, though, it had to be too soon for this nonsense to have anything to do with that. And I would have dismissed the odd note if it weren’t for the voice that spoke behind me.