ARTEMIS' POV
Again and again, they try to convince me, showering me with words of praise for my performance, showing their gratitude for the presence I've graced them with, and ending every sentence with 'reconsider.'
It makes me wonder if this approach has always worked with my father. A few words of praise, some flattery, and he would simply cave to their demands.
I wouldn't be surprised.
He's always been the type to go soft over vain things that tickle his fancy, as long as he receives the reverence he desires from his subjects.
But I don't give in, choosing not to ignore the clear discrimination just to please them. I ponder how this case would have ended if Sera and I hadn't intervened when we did.
Finally, they give up, walking away and grumbling silently.
Mr. Franklin steps forward towards me once the path is clear, a look of gratitude on his face.
"I want to give my thanks again. You have no idea what you've done for my family and people. We've faced years of biased treatment until today."
"It's my pleasure to serve actual justice, Mr. Franklin, though the thanks should mostly go to my mate, Seraphina."
The light of my life.
Remembering how bravely she stood up against those twats excites every nerve in my body, and I can't help but think of how I plan to show her my excitement later on.
"I'm grateful to both of you for defending us," he says, offering his hand, which I shake firmly.
"I'll pass your thanks to her. I'm sure she's waiting close by, so you can extend your wishes to her directly," I tell him.
Looking over his head, my gaze inevitably lands on her silhouette in the corner, talking to someone.
My eyes widen in recognition of the familiar red hair.
My body goes rigid, watching them interact. I'm surprised he'd approach her while I'm not with her - the last thing I wanted was for that bastard to meet her.
I see her frown, the way he leans in too close with a cryptic smile, and I lose it, my wolf roaring for me to get back to our mate's side.
"Excuse me," I say to Franklin, leaving him abruptly and closing the distance between us.
"Hello, Alpha Gideon," I greet, subtly pulling her to my side, shielding her from his gaze.
I don't want him looking at her or speaking to her anymore.
Everything about this situation unnerves and irks me, knowing what this man is capable of, what he's done to his own child, and having such a twisted individual in the same room with Sera.
"I was looking for you," I say to her, watching the worry lines on her face smooth out quickly.
I gesture towards Mr. Franklin, who has thankfully followed me down here, introducing the two directly.
I watch him walk away with her, and only when they are at a considerable distance do I feel at ease enough to face Gideon again.
His smile widens, reminding me of every sickeningly innocent moment he offered it while executing his malicious plans.
"What are you doing here? I wasn't expecting you to be at this meeting," I ask, noting that his name wasn't on the list of council members.
I had cross-checked it for Sera's safety.
"Your Highness, I was just speaking with your very lovely... mate. She's as precious as the rumors preceding her. A delightful creature to have by your side. Quite entertaining as well," he chuckles, but I find none of it amusing, holding his gaze squarely.
Still, I shake it off, opting for a different approach.
"Alpha Gideon, I understand that perhaps our families might not be on the best of terms, considering what Kamila went through due to our disagreements," I pause, recalling the rejection.
If there were a way to alleviate her pain or prevent that whole fiasco, I would.
"I want to apologize on behalf of myself and my father, too."
"Nonsense," he starts off, waving his hand, the smile returning to his lips. "Water under the bridge, is it not? The heart wants what it wants, and perhaps we, the older generation, couldn't see that. But now..." His gaze drifts from me to Sera on the other side of the hallway.
There's a hint of something more in his gaze as he looks at her.
"...now, you're with someone you truly want, and for that, I wish you happiness."
I fight off the urge to tear his eyes out and crush them beneath my feet for even daring to glance at her, to show the slightest bit of interest in what is mine.
The primal instinct to rip him to shreds and bathe in his blood surges within me.
However, I remind myself that he is a necessary ally, one that both my father and I require in our ranks.
"Yes, of course. But again, I hope there won't be a reason for discord between the Wildheart pack and Sinclair royalty over an agreement that was sealed through unthinkable means to strengthen the royal bloodline. We shouldn't let the mistakes of our past affect our future, don't you agree?" I watch his expression slowly turn into a frown as he grasps the meaning behind my words.
"Of course, Your Highness," he replies.
"And again, we are a younger generation, raised with hopes of being better than our predecessors. That includes finding better ways to handle unforeseen circumstances, or possibly - a prophecy foretelling the downfall of our people."
I observe the frown deepen on his face; he wasn't expecting me to know about his sordid dealings with my father. The fact that he bound his unborn daughter to another family for power is now out in the open.
But suddenly, there's a shift in his demeanor.
He bursts into laughter, a sound so out of place in the moment, holding his belly and wiping tears from his eyes.
"Perhaps are my words entertaining to you?"
"Forgive my impertinence, Your Highness," he replies. "You see, I hadn't realized it before, but you truly are of the Sinclair bloodline. Your light shines almost as brightly as the kings of the past, possibly far surpassing your father's wisdom."
"Your words are too kind," I respond dryly.
"No, truly. Your potential shines even more with her by your side, it seems. Nevertheless, you need not worry. The Wildheart will always remain loyal to your family. Our military power remains at your disposal, as long as you are next in line, of course." His smirk at the last statement leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.
I want nothing more than to end this conversation, to stop having to decipher this twisted man.
"If you will excuse me," I say, taking a bow and turning to leave.
Sera is nowhere in sight; I assume she must have found our room.
"Ah, before I forget, my condolences for your mother."
I pause in place, frozen like a statue. My joints grow stiff, immobilized by the words that have just reached my ears.
I'm torn between fury at his insinuation and a creeping sense of worry.
Has he heard something?
"What are you talking about?" I frown.
He looks almost apologetic for revealing something he shouldn't have.
"Ah, forgive me. I thought you'd heard the news. Surely your father has told you why he couldn't make it here."
"What is the reason?" I demand, knowing my father would never voluntarily share his plans with me.
"Your mother's condition has taken a turn for the worse, it seems. The last time I saw him, he was in a rush to meet Coraline. From the look on his face, it was terrible news." He pouts sadly, shaking his head. "But I'm sure he has his reasons for keeping it to himself. I bid you adieu."
He turns and leaves, dropping this bombshell and walking away as if it's nothing. It must have been his plan to unsettle me with this news.
Why else would he relay information he wasn't ordered to give?
Still...
I clutch at my chest, feeling a piercing pain, followed by anxiety and deep-rooted fear that something has happened to her. I find my way back to the room we share.
Just as I reach for the door, it opens, and Sera stands there, concern etched on her face.
"Artemis?" she asks, running up to me. "I felt you were in pain. What happened?"
I open my mouth to speak, but the words catch in my throat.
"My mother... She..." I can't bring myself to say it, fearing that voicing it would make it real.
I want to believe she's fine, that my father would have told me if she wasn't.
"It's okay... I'm here for you," she whispers, holding me with her small hands.
We slide to the floor as my legs weaken. I hold her back tighter, enveloped in her warmth and scent, letting go of everything else except her.