Heirs Of Misfortune

2-The veto

When they entered the council room all eyes fell on her. They bowed their heads and she replied by smiling politely. She took her seat next to her mother. Aiyla looked displeased at her daughter, but chose not to lash out at Amara like she usually does because too many high ranking members were present and she had to keep appearances. Kalen took his seat next to his father, High Baron Xavier, the commander of all the fae armies.

The doors opened wide and Claude made a grand entrance, followed by Nahla. All the present members of the council rose and bowed to their King. He passed by them without saying a word, without any gesture. He took his throne and told everyone they can be seated.

Amara kept her head down, but she felt his gaze on her. She heard him speak.

,, Dear council. The reason for this meeting today is more personal for me than ever. My daughter, Nahla, your future Queen, is becoming of age. For her to sit on this throne, she must retrieve her token from the human realm. I am asking you to vote for her departure and opening the portal for her travels. Nahla will be accompanied by a team of high warriors to keep her safe." Many voices murmured. It was custom for the heir to go alone. Claude frowned.,, The human world changed, it is plagued with vampires and warlocks, we must not underestimate any danger. Nahla is capable of retrieving her token, but in case of an unprecedented attack, we must protect our future Queen. " he explained.

,, We will discuss this and reunite within a week with our decision." Kiegan, the head council announced. The King was furious.,, You have time until this evening to convey your answer. " he said and hit the table with his fist.

,, Either Princess Nahla goes alone, as per law and tradition, or she losses her right to the throne." Xavier concluded.

Then... the unthinkable happened. Amara's mother spoke.,, Excuse me. It was me who asked for a few warriors to go with Nahla. Apart from our future Queen, she is my daughter. My flesh and blood. I love her and I would be devastated if any harm would come to her. You have children, you surely understand my feelings. It is a mother's plea. They would not be helping her in any way with anything related to the token. They would be protecting her in case of a sudden attack from enemy forces. I do not want to lose my daughter and surely if anything happens to her, our realm will be in danger. "

Everyone in the room knew Nahla wasn't capable of getting the token without any help, but the Queen had a point. She was their only option as a future ruler and fairies were all about monarchy.

,, 5 warriors and that's it." Xavier replied. Kiegan agreed and so did the rest of the council. Aiyla was displeased at the number, but she was quiet for the moment. The meeting was over and the council members left the room.

,, Amara leave, I would like to talk to Claude for a second. " her mother's voice startled Amara from her staring at the floor. She got up and left without saying a word. She went next door to the library. She spent a lot of her time in there with all those wonderful books,but also discovered a passageway that led to many rooms in the castle, including to the council room. You couldn't actually go into the room, but you could hear what was going on.

,, Don't you understand that it is the right thing to do? Nahla will be perfectly safe that way. " she heard her mother say.

,, No. I will not lie to my people like that. It is enough that she has an escort. She can get the token, can't she?" Claude responded.

,, Why risk her?? " Amara's mother insisted.

,, I can't send Amara in her place. Where will you hide Nahla for all this time? What if they find out? Besides I can't imagine Amara is going to agree. Even I don't. "he was getting very agitated.

Amara froze. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her own mother...

,, I will not send my daughter to get some stupid token and risk her life, when she is clearly the future Queen of this realm by blood. If you can't get the token and pretend she went and retrieved it, you will have to send Amara. " she demanded.

,, Amara is your daughter too."

,, Nahla is more important. " she coldly stated. Amara felt like she was stabbed in the heart a million times. She always knew her mother had favored Nahla, but not to care about her alt all, was a very painful thing to realize. She returned to the library as she had heard enough. She remembered that the maid told her that she had a way to help her if the veto was favorable.

When she got to her room, there she was, cleaning and waiting for Amara to return. She would help her undress and take the clothing back to its place.

,, Roa! "Amara exclaimed. The woman lifted her head and smiled.,, Welcome back Princess!" she replied. Amara got close to her, took her hands in hers and said ,, I need you to tell me how I can get out of here. "

,, Was the veto favorable?" she asked.,, Yes, but my mother secretly wants me to go instead of Nahla. I am not supposed to know, I listened in on their conversation. "Amara admitted and started crying.

,, That is perfect!" Roa said.,, That is your way out. The portal will open and you can go without any problems and then, in the human world, you can disappear for good. " she explained.,, I thought you might have to sneak out when Nahla left, but this is just perfect."

Realization hit Amara. It was indeed the perfect excape plan. Now only to make it work.

,, I don't think I can leave before my 20th birthday though... " Amara was certain that she would have to succumb to the King's advances. Either that or he would take her by force.

,, You could tell him that you will be his, willingly, when you return, for as much as he wants." Roa suggested.

,, It is worth a shot. I have nothing to lose... I want you to come with me to the human world. Would you like that? " Amara asked, but Roa only smiled.,, Let's get you out of this dress. " she said and started undoing the corset.

Amara went to bed with tears in her eyes. Escape was her only option. Her own mother never noticed how abusive her stepfather was and Amara was certain that even if she had she simply didn't care.

,, Let's hope the human world treats me better. " Amara wished as she drifted to sleep.