Chapter 34

34

J en

“Wow!” I whisper as we pull up at the castle. There is a sea of people outside. They’re demanding that Steel be released. They have signs and everything. “This is amazing.”

“I told you that Steel has plenty of friends and even more adoring fans. There might be an execution today, but it won’t be Steel who loses his head. No, siree,” Roscoe says as we pull up. “Are you ready, my dear?” he asks me.

I take a fortifying breath. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

“Let’s do this.”

“Good luck!” Natalia says as we exit the vehicle. “I’ll be out here, demanding that Steel be released,” she says.

I turn and give her a quick smile as we start walking. Natalia isn’t as bad as I thought she was. Begrudgingly, I think she might be growing on me. The sea of chanting bodies parts as we go toward the entrance. I feel slightly better with Roscoe at my side.

They have to listen. They have to hear me out and let Steel go. I’m sure they’ll put me on the first airplane to the Mainland, but that’s okay. It’s all part of the plan. As long as Steel is released, I will be content. If he ends up imprisoned or worse because of me, I don’t know what I’ll do.

We walk straight up to the long reception desk.

The first guy in uniform does a double-take when he sees me. His name badge says “Enzo.”

The guy next to him gasps, “Miss Harris?”

“It’s you,” Enzo says. “You’re here.” He’s blinking like he can’t believe it.

“Miss Harris would like a meeting with the king,” Roscoe tells them in a curt tone.

“Or with Crown Prince Frost,” I quickly add.

“Certainly,” the shifter next to Enzo says. He picks up the phone, probably calling the royal office. I picture him speaking to that stuffy PA. “Ummmm…Miss Harris is…ummm…here to see King Arctic.” His eyes keep darting to me.

Someone says something on the other end of the line.

He nods. “No problem.” Then he puts the phone down. “You can take a seat.” He gestures to a waiting area. “Someone will be here shortly to take you through to see him.”

“Thank you.”

We go and take a seat. It’s eerily quiet until someone walks through the main entrance, and the doors open. Then the chanting is loud.

“Steel is innocent! Steel is innocent!”

Earlier, they were chanting: “Release Steel! Release Steel!”

“I doubt I will be permitted to go with you,” Roscoe tells me.

“It’s fine. I’ll be okay.”

“You’re a brave female. I never expected it of a human. Perhaps we will be okay mating with your kind.”

I laugh softly. “I’m not sure how to take that, Roscoe.”

“It is meant as a compliment.”

“In which case, thank you.” My stomach is in knots. I hope they don’t leave me waiting too long.

Someone comes and offers us something to drink but we decline. I have to work to keep from tapping my foot, from pacing, or going to demand that this hurry up. I know it won’t work, so I force myself to sit there.

A few minutes later, two guards arrive in their full uniform, including those grotesque masks.

We stand.

“You may come with us, Miss Harris. You need to wait outside, sir.”

“I’ll be fine,” I assure Roscoe.

“Good luck.” He winks at me. “We are here if you need us.”

I walk with the guards. It takes ten minutes to reach the royal offices. The PA isn’t at her desk when we get there, which worries me.

“This way.” The guard starts toward Ice’s office.

“I asked to speak with the king,” I say, trying hard to keep the tremor from my voice.

“The king is not available right now,” the guard says, his voice hard and emotionless.

“What about Frost?” I take a step back.

“I’m afraid not.”

“I’ll wait until one of them can see me.”

“The general is insisting on talking with you.”

I turn and start to run, even though I know that I can’t get away. I have to try. I barely make it three strides when I am grabbed from behind. “Calm down, female. You need to come with us. I have my orders.”

“Don’t tell me what to do,” I snarl. “Let me go!” I yell.

He puts a hand over my mouth, muffling my cries. Then he carries me to Ice’s office. The other guard opens the door.

Ice is sitting behind his desk, looking smug. He smiles broadly when he sees me. I stop struggling. There is no point.

The guard puts me down and lets me go.

“Miss Harris, how good of you to join us. I almost couldn’t believe my luck when you arrived at the reception. I thought I was going to have a hunt on my hands. The two of you can leave us,” he tells the guards. “You should take a seat.” He points at the chair in front of me.

My legs suddenly feel shaky, so I do as he says. “What are you going to do with me?”

I know whatever he has planned, that it isn’t good. I know that I’ve walked right into a trap.

“Do with you? Whatever do you mean?”

“Cut the crap,” I snarl.

His eyes darken and narrow. His face turns a little red. “Watch your tone with me, Miss Harris. Do you know who you’re talking to?”

“Watch my tone or what? You’ve already decided my fate, probably Steel’s fate, as well. You’ve already devised your evil plans, and I doubt there is anything I can say or do to change them. I would appreciate it if you had the decency to be straight with me. To tell me, already.”

He settles back in his chair. “You have a point there. Why not just tell you?” He clasps his hands on his lap like he doesn’t have a care in the world. Then he checks his watch. “I have a few minutes to spare, but only a few, mind you; I have a beheading to attend. Actually, I’m the executioner.” He chuckles. “Soon, there will be one less Draiger on this planet. If I have my say, they will all be exterminated before long.”

I feel sorry for the poor Draig shifter. If our situation is anything to go by, he probably didn’t do anything other than cross paths with the general.

“What are you going to do with me? I’m sure you aren’t going to send me home or honor our contract in any way.”

“No, no, I can’t possibly send you home.” He smiles. “I would be happy to fill you in. It’s not like you’re going to be able to tell anyone. You’re destined for the duke. You were always meant for him; to think the idiot almost ruined everything.”

I gasp. I’m not sure why I’m so shocked. That asshole told me himself; I just didn’t believe him. He was already treating me like I belonged to him. Like I was one of his possessions. “You can’t do that. He’s out of the running.”

Ice laughs like I just told him the biggest joke. “I can and I will. In fact, it’s already done.”

“Arctic won’t stand for it. Neither will Frost. I was told I could choose. That I could go home if I wanted.”

“Nope, that’s not going to happen. Arctic started to meddle in my business, so I had to find a way to ensure that my plans were carried out. I organized for you to be abducted. It was supposed to be a clean getaway, but this is so much better.” He laughs. “So much more fun. I had always planned for Steel to take the fall if needed. That’s why I wanted him for this assignment. With his history, I knew that no one would trust him, and they don’t. Things could not have gone better than they have. I almost can’t believe it. Everything is playing into my hand nicely.”

“People saw me arrive. They know I’m here. You’ll never get away with it.”

“Yes, I will. Soon, there will be a diversion. The protestors out front are going to storm the building, and you will disappear in the chaos. Only you won’t disappear; you’ll be taken to the duke.”

“Why? What’s in it for you?”

He rubs his chin and then smiles. “I may as well fill you in on all of it.” He shrugs. “In short, I’m planning a coup.”

“You want to overthrow Arctic.”

“Oh, yes! He is a spineless idiot. He closed the tunnel, stopped the hard work. That tunnel was our father’s life’s work, his dream, and my brother just tossed it away. Arctic wants peace,” Ice spits. “Those Draigers have tried to rule us for years. They have ruled us for years. Not anymore. I won’t have it.” He shakes his head. “Frost supports Arctic and not me. I’m his twin, for fuck’s sake.” His face turns pink. “He has to go as well.”

“I still don’t understand what I have to do with any of this.”

“A coup can only be successful if the one carrying it out has backers. I need backers. That’s what I’ve been working on. I am head of security, so getting rid of my brothers will be easy, but there is no point unless I am readily accepted as the new king. First, by those with power and influence and then by the Mistveil people themselves.”

I shudder at the cold way he speaks of murdering his own flesh and blood. I knew that the general was bad news. I didn’t really understand the depths of his evil until right now.

“The duke is powerful and holds influence on the island. He’s a fantastic individual to have on your side,” he goes on.

“You promised him me in exchange for his loyalty.”

“Now you’re catching on.” He smiles. “That’s exactly right. He needs someone to carry his heirs. You will ensure that I have him in my pocket.”

“Why the whole fa?ade? Why have me meet all those candidates?”

“By then, Arctic was watching. I had to make sure that everything seemed above board. He insisted on the contract. He insisted on an array of candidates. He didn’t think it was fair that you be given to someone without a choice. He doesn’t particularly like the duke, either. It was all a ruse. You were going to choose the duke, whether you liked it or not. Plans for the coup are well underway, so chances are good I would have gotten away with it.”

“Is the lieutenant in on it?” I know he is, but I want to hear him say it. If by some miracle I get out of this, I want as much information as possible.

“Of course. I handpicked him myself.”

“What will happen to Steel?” I pull in a shuddering breath.

The general smiles. His whole face lights up. “I’m sure you can guess. You’re a smart human.”

I don’t say anything. Fear burns through my veins.

“Oh, alright, since you’re no fun, I’ll tell you. He’ll be executed, of course.”

Bile rises in my throat, but I swallow it down.

“He killed a guard,” Ice tells me. His expression is completely serious.

I snort and shake my head. “We both know that didn’t happen. You had that guard killed, just like you had Rex beaten up. You had him lie. You promised him something in return so that you could frame Steel.”

“The male, Rex, is such a sap.” Ice laughs. “He insisted on your safe return to the Mainland. Insisted that you be given the money…and for doing absolutely nothing.” He rolls his eyes. “Like that was ever going to happen.”

Poor Rex.

“He also wanted first pick when the first batch of Tributes are sent to Mistveil, so don’t feel too bad for him.”

Some of my sympathy evaporates, but I still feel sorry for him because I know his heart is in the right place.

“I’ll do anything you want; just please let Steel go. Please.”

“How? He committed terrible crimes; he needs to stand trial and face the consequences of his actions.”

“He didn’t do anything,” I say, even though I know it’s falling on deaf ears. “I’ll marry the duke. I’ll fall in line.” I use his words. The ones he used on me at the start of this whole thing.

“That’s just it; you don’t have a choice but to fall in line, Miss Harris. Everything has been decided already. You don’t have a say in the matter.” He stands, looking at his watch. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have an execution to carry out.”

“Please don’t do this.”

“It’s already done. Now, don’t make a scene, or I will be forced to have my guards chain and gag you. You can’t escape, so don’t even try it. I will see you very soon. I’m escorting you to the duke myself. You will be mated before the end of the day.”

Ice leaves, locking the door behind him. I go to the window, even though I know I’m several stories up. Five guards look up at me from below. I pick up the phone on his desk, but the line is dead.

All I can think is that Steel will be executed unless I can do something about it. I have to do something. What, though?