2. Chapter Two

"And you truly believe Prince Andras is bringing war to the realm? With demons? From a place none have heard of?" The male with long white hair has had a disbelieving look on his face since the moment Casmir began telling the council everything. The male— Viktor, I remember—chuckles and waves his hand, dismissing his prince as if he were a child spewing nonsense. My blood heats.

"Yes, I do, because that is the truth." Casmir's hard voice rings through the room. The way he's commanding everyone's attention…seated at the head of the table, relaxed in his chair as if he's not the least bit stressed. His muscles flex under the tight shirt he's wearing as he grips the arms of his seat. His jaw flexes and those hazel eyes darken as if the light in the room went out. He's all prince right now…I force my gaze away before everyone knows exactly how Cas makes me feel without even trying.

"Tell us again where you heard this information? Because I don't believe this is true. We know Prince Andras! He would never do something like this!" Geneva exclaims loudly, ensuring every fae in the room heard her. Out of the eight council members, she's clearly the most opinionated. Honestly, I don't think she even likes Cas. She discredits everything he says without knowing all the facts.

I'm not certain how he's dealt with her, or any of them, all these years. He definitely has more patience than I do. I bite my cheek each time one of the members speaks; if only they knew what Andras was really like. Casmir insisted on not telling them where he truly heard the information, or anything about me other than I'm to sit in on the meeting. He wanted to see how they would react to the news before bombarding them with how the gods play into this.

He warned me they can be difficult. I warned him that I can, too.

My prince sighs, clasping his hands on the oval table. "We are wasting time arguing over nothing. I told you an anonymous source—"

"Oh, please! Casmir, these lies are childish. Niair would never have said such things just because of a petty feud between princes."

My hand involuntarily slams onto the table. "What—did you just say to him?" My eyes slide to Geneva, glaring at her through the depths of my soul. Hers widen, and she blinks a few times before clearing her throat.

"Apologies, Your Highness, I meant no disrespect." I clench my jaw and look away from the female before I lash out. A hand squeezes my thigh under the table, pulling my attention to the right, where Emrys's brows are raised at me. I suppose I am feeling rather possessive of them…courtesy of our strengthening bond. But that does not give any fae the right to talk to my prince like that. Bond or not, I will not sit back and watch them be disrespectful.

It's fine, princess. I told you what to expect. I narrow my eyes at him, not deigning that comment a response.

Cas just waves her off, leaning forward. "Regardless of your opinions, this is happening. We must discuss the implications this will have on the city. I know nothing about Andras's strategy or plans, so it's important we prepare as much as possible." He looks to each council member, locking eyes with the three females and five males, before glancing at Em and me.

"What are your proposals?" the quiet one, Lila, says into the silence. She appears much younger than the rest of the council, with a soft, rounded face and long, raven black hair. At least someone is taking this seriously.

"First, I do not wish for this news to cause mass chaos with the fae; I believe it's necessary to arrange…a speech, of sorts. Control what information is given to them." Cas rubs his jaw, staring at the stone wall across the room as if he's deep in thought. "They will know something is wrong soon enough, so the faster we can speak with them, the better.

"The army is already making preparations; working on new training regimens and increasing weapon supply. We must go over safety and evacuation protocols." He meets my eyes briefly before biting his bottom lip, taking a deep breath and settling into a decision. "I do not believe Andras will bring his fight to the city, though I feel it's important we have the protocols finalized for the residents, regardless."

"What do you mean Andras will not bring his war here? Is that not what you just told us he's doing?" The male with long chocolate hair sits forward, resting his elbows on the table. I don't remember his name…

Who is he?I ask Em, trying to keep from distracting Casmir.

Conan.His hand squeezes my thigh harder, and I get the feeling Conan is just as difficult as Geneva.

The council all look to their prince, Geneva with a smirk on her face, probably thinking they just caught him in a lie. My blood thickens, rushing through my body so quickly that it's the only sound I hear. I'm fighting to keep my breathing even, but it's becoming increasingly difficult. I'm not normally so quick to anger, but if they keep challenging him…

Cas, just tell them the full truth. It's fine if they know who I am. His head whips in my direction, brows furrowed deeply.

No. I've no doubt each one of them would find a way to give you to Andras if they knew the full truth. I won't risk it.

We've bickered about this several times; it's hypocritical of me, seeing as I haven't told them about Ivana yet. And she's the reason I know I'll be fine. Honestly, the council is the very least of my worries.

Taking in a deep breath, I repeat what I've been saying to Cas all morning. I will be okay. There is no reason to worry about them.

He doesn't respond, only shaking his head and looking away from me. "Yes, he will bring his fight to this side of the mountains, though I do not believe he will come for the city. His priorities are elsewhere."

"Where? What does that even mean?" Conan spits, his eyes narrowing on Cas.

"That is information I am not able to disclose at this time." His face shuts down, closing him off from showing emotion to the group.

I wish he would just listen to me, though I understand why he doesn't. I probably wouldn't either, given my history of thinking I'm safe when I am not. Glancing around the room, I take in the wary expressions on each of the council members. Elana and Lila sit next to each other, both appearing indifferent about the argument happening around them. Elana has stunning blonde hair that could make any female jealous. It's clear she's a powerful woman. I store that information away—it could be useful in the future.

I could swear Geneva, Viktor, and Conan have a three-way telepathy going with how similar they all look: disgusted and ready to push back on their prince any chance they get.

Gods, I'm frustrated with how this is going.

Gabriel is directly across the table from Casmir, lounging in his seat as if this is the most entertainment he's had in a while. The window to his right showcases the sun, allowing its light to run over his skin, making him look ethereal. He's an attractive male. I grimace…so is Conan, and I am very close to flattening his nose.

Roech runs a hand through his sandy curls, glaring daggers at the three members causing issues. His thick muscles flex as he crosses his arms, and I briefly wonder what he does each day to look like that. I never formally met any of the members at the party months ago, but I didn't expect them all to be so…mundane.

And these are the fae causing my bond problems?

Hurried footsteps sound just outside the door, and I tense, my back straightening to its full height. My heart kicks my chest walls, telling me it's time to beg the numbness to take us before the pain starts. When did the air get so thick? I can barely take a breath. I need to calm myself…showing weakness to him will just make it worse.

How the fuck can I calm down when swallowing feels like glue trudging its way down my throat? I'm going to choke from my own panic before he even touches me. I huff a breath into the deadly silence. Imagine that…Andras would be so angry. I wish I was so lucky. Anything has to be better than this; than him.

More footsteps. I bite my cheek so hard I taste blood, savoring the thick liquid that coats my mouth, giving me something else to focus on. I can't do this today—why can he not leave me alone for just one fucking day? Why is he so obsessed with hurting me? He knows I will not give him anything he's asked for! I've made that very clear over the years. I wish he'd just stop trying and leave me down here to rot.

I blink into the darkness, feeling the shapes of nothing form together and drift away. Always alone.

Nell!I jolt, my surroundings hitting every sense at once. I'm not in the prison…I'm in Anloria. I'm in a council meeting. My bonds are sitting right next to me. Emrys is leaning over the table, blocking the others' view from me. Concern is etched deeply into his beautiful face; his eyes lock on mine, helping me out of whatever that just was.

He squeezes my hand, and I look to my lap, seeing it trembling in his grasp. I don't feel it. Get yourself together, Nell. We don't have time for this.

I glance at my bond, giving him the best smile I can manage. I'm okay. Thank you for pulling me out. He nods, squeezing my hand once more before sitting back, allowing me to see everyone yelling at each other. How the fuck did I miss this?

"I will not listen to more excuses and half-truths, Casmir," Viktor mutters through clenched teeth.

"You have to underst—"

"No!" Geneva's piercing voice starts to un-thread my resolve. "I think we're all in agreement that we will not vote on any of this."

"This is a serious matter!" I can feel his frustration; he doesn't quite know how to handle this.

"We're done here," Conan states loudly, standing to leave. Everyone except for Lila stands with him, making their way to the door. Casmir runs a hand through his hair, resting his arm on the side of the chair. His emotions hit me hard. He's not even angry with them; he's just…sad. He feels like a failure, and that insecurity is so heavy it"s like a dagger slicing through the hollow of my chest.

No. Fuck this. I do not care if he doesn't want them to know.

I let Conan reach the door before calling to my essence, wrapping it around each fae, pulling them back to their seats before shoving them down roughly. I create restraints that hold their hands and legs to the chairs, not allowing them to go anywhere. Voices bellow through the space, fighting to be heard over all the others.

"What is this?"

"How are you doing this, Casmir?"

"What is going on? Release us!"

I cannot deal with this any longer. I let it go on for far too long.

"Enough!" My voice is full of power and command. I stand, placing my palms onto the cool surface of the table, leaning forward to stare at the wide-eyed council members. The only one I didn't restrain is Lila, though she has the sense to not move from her seat. Good girl.

"You are all foolish; bickering like children whose magic hasn't awakened yet. I may have let your ignorance and self-serving thoughts go…but then you disrespected your prince." I saunter around the table, meeting the eyes of each council member. I'm deathly calm. "Which means you disrespected me." I laugh, the sound slithering over every surface. When I'm behind Conan, I bend, making sure my words go through his ears first. Placing my hands on his tense shoulders, I say, "Because, you see, he's mine. And I don't take kindly to those who threaten what's mine."

"Nob—nobody threatened him," Conan stammers, and I roll my eyes. So fucking weak.

"No?" I sing sweetly and am interrupted before I can go on.

"Please! I saw you at the party; you're nothing but the prince's whore!" the white-haired male bellows out, and I freeze, attempting to rein my anger in enough that I don't kill him.

A coughed laugh cuts through the thick, tense air and my gaze finds Emrys, who's staring at me with carnal hunger. I look to Casmir and he shrugs, sitting back and folding his arms, as if to say, "show them who you are, princess."

Gladly.

I reach into Viktor's head, my stomach turning at the action. I learned how to control this part of my magic so that I wouldn't use it accidentally. Being inside others, forcing them to do my bidding, sickens me. It's not a power anyone should have.

But I do…and right now, I want nothing more than to make each of them regret hurting my bond.

Viktor grunts when he's forced to stand and walk around the table to me. Gasps ring around the room, though no one speaks. The male struggles to control his limbs. Unsuccessfully. I halt him in front of me, a smile cresting my lips at the fear in his wide eyes. He looses a breath when he involuntarily drops to his knees, a crack from the impact blessing my ears.

"W-w-what are you?" he stutters, trembling heavily below me. I chuckle. Not so confident now, I see.

I reach to grab a strand of his bright hair, twirling it around my fingers absently. "You're right, Viktor. I am Casmir's whore. And Emrys's, if you were wondering." He swallows loudly, looking to my males for help before watching me again, tracking every movement I make.

Princess, this is a little too far.I whip my head to the prince, telling him to be quiet or he's next. Though, I'm sure he wouldn't mind that. He raises both hands placatingly, smirking as he relaxes into his chair once more.

I turn back to Viktor, curling my lip. "So while I may be their whore, I am also their goddess." I turn to the room, addressing the entire council. "My name is Anellah. I am the daughter of the God of Balance and the Goddess of War, Hale and Aeryn. Andras has held me captive for the last twenty-five years." I leave Viktor kneeling while I circle the other members. "Andras is not the prince you believe him to be; he is the traitor that initiated the War of Gods six centuries ago. He was thought to be dead, though that's clearly not the case.

"Being his prisoner for so long, I am intimately," I spit into Conan's face, "familiar with who he is at his core, and his plans for another war. Your prince is not lying. Andras has a witch and has used blood magic to create a bridge between Earth and Breoqan." Horrified faces stare back at me. "He wishes for revenge against the other gods for what they did to him. I am his chance at that revenge. He wants me. He will come for me, and he will bring his entire army, city, and now demons along with him."

I stop next to Casmir, seating myself on the arm of his chair. I run my fingers through his hair, needing to feel him right now. His arm circles my waist, holding on like he couldn't bear to let me go. I sigh, my head suddenly feeling less cloudy.

"You will do well to listen to your prince. If any of you even look at him wrong again, you will answer to me." I pull Viktor to his feet and release my hold on him; he grabs his chest, breathing deeply as he stumbles back to his seat. The rest of the council relaxes when their restraints vanish.

The rest of the meeting goes well, though I was sitting next to Cas, staring them down with every threat imaginable in my gaze. Once they all leave, my shoulders droop and I scrunch my eyes closed at the pressure leaving my head.

That wasn't me…I have never manipulated someone's mind before. Why—

Fuck me. I remember reading about the likely consequences of not completing a triggered bond. I'm feeling overly protective from the smallest things…none of them threatened Casmir, but my soul didn't care. Their harsh words were enough to set me off.

I want to feel guilty. But I don't. I really need to figure this out; I'm beginning to realize there may no longer be a choice.