Maldows Isles

Chapter Eighteen

Ash's POV

I can't help the weird feeling I get, about Amaria's grandmother, as I watch Stallin walk away from us. My mother can't even read her mind, how is that even possible? My mom can read everyone's mind. It's her goddess-given gift.

"Mom, you didn't even pick up a single thought?"

"Not one, it felt like a barrier that I couldn't breakthrough. It was the weirdest thing," She says, looking at Amaria for her reaction, "The last time I saw your grandmother I was able to read her mind. That's what makes this situation strange."

Amaria looks concerned, I mean who wouldn't. If my grandma suddenly appeared out of nowhere I would question it too.

"What about my dad Calissa, did you hear any of my dad's thoughts," she asks, with a hint of hopefulness in her voice.

"Yes, I did. I know where you're going with this, Amaria. You're wondering if your grandma had something to do with your dad snapping just now. He thought you would've been happy to meet your grandma from what I can tell. He thought Ash would be happy for you, as well. Since you don't have a lot of family members on your side. He wasn't expecting Ash to question your grandma."

"That makes sense. I would be excited, if not for the situation we're currently in," I turn to look at my mate, "We thought she was dead, Amaria. We're also going to take down your aunt. She pointed out that she knew we entered her village because the wards were taken down. Why didn't she get there sooner?"

"It took us four days to get to Maltic. She is traveling on foot, just like us. Who's to say she wasn't on the other side of the realm?"

Amaria takes a defensive stance, I don't want to argue with my mate. I just want to be sure she's safe, "We don't know we can trust. We only have two clans willing to defend you against Sariyah."

"Three," Amaria says, cutting me off.

"What?"

"We have three clans willing to defend me. My grandma's clan just pledged to me."

I roll my eyes at her, "Yes, I know. We still don't know if we can trust your grandma, Amaria."

"I trust her, just as much as you trust Colton," she says right before she turns and walks away from me.

I'm staring at her in disbelief when my mom says, "There's only one way to get her to listen to you, Ash."

"What would that be, mom," I ask sarcastically.

"We have to get proof. Whether it works in our favor or it doesn't. We have to get proof that Stacey is on our side. That way your worries are gone, and her reasons for wanting to trust her grandma are valid."

"How would I go about getting proof," as much as I agree with my mom, I think that would be dangerous. Stacey has so many guards surrounding her, it would be hard to catch her in the act.

"You leave that part to me. Stacey and I go way back, literally," she laughs, "I'll see what I can find out."

I nod as my mom walks in the direction of Stacey's room, then I set out to fix things with my mate. Her being mad at me is something I can't handle. When I find her she is sitting next to a fountain. I admire her while she manipulates the water into two figures. Taking a step closer, so I can get a better view, I see that the figures are dancing.

"Ash, I know you're there. Come here, please."

I go to her, sitting down next to her and wrapping my arms around her waist, "I know you don't have many family members. The one you do have is plotting to kill you. I just want to be sure, Amaria. We don't know whose side she's on," I pull her back so she can look me in the eyes as I say this last part, "I don't know what I would do if I lost you. You have become the most important person in my life. If I were to lose you, because I wasn't diligent enough, it would tear me apart."

She kisses me softly, "I know. I shouldn't have stormed away. You have to understand where I'm coming from too, Ash. She is my grandma, she protected my mom, the rightful heir to the throne. Why wouldn't she protect me?"

"You have a point, my love. Now, what was this about me not trusting Colton?"

She throws her head back laughing, "You know you don't trust Colton. The man kidnapped me for goddess's sake."

"Ah, another point for my queen," I stand, pulling her up with me, "Let's go, we have a meeting to attend too. Then, we have to prepare to set out tomorrow. Your kingdom is growing, my love."

We make our way to the council room, only to get stopped by Stacey and her guards, who are standing around my mom.

"What's the meaning of this," I shout, looking between my mom and Stacey.

"It would be in your favor if you come to me yourself, with questions about my loyalty to my grandchild, Ash. Sending your mother is not the move of a king," she snickers before her guards shove my mom in my direction. I catch her before she falls, as Stacey enters the council room.

"So, that conversation we just had was just a ploy to get me to calm down, while you sent your mom out to question my grandma," Amaria scoffs in disbelief, "We don't have the time for this now, but we will continue this conversation later."

She enters the council room before I have a chance to reply. I steady my mom, "Did she hurt you," I ask as I look her over.

"No, she didn't. She knew why I was there the moment I enter her room. I still couldn't read her mind, Ash," my mom says.

"We have to go inside, but we'll continue this later, mom. Let's go."