Lost in her melancholy, Alex didn’t realise Jeera had been speaking, only focusing in time to catch the Warden’s last words, “… and they’re all ready to hear what you have to say.”
“All?” Alex repeated as they turned a corner and stopped in front of a large, gilded door. “It’s just the king and queen, right?”
Alex couldn’t read the look on Jeera’s face, just that it was partly amused, partly sympathetic and partly something else entirely. And when the Warden opened the doors, Alex understood why.
The circular room was bordered by arching gold panels reaching high up to the ceiling like stained-glass windows. The walls were covered in maps and ancient scrolls—some written in languages Alex had never seen before—and displayed an array of bejewelled weapons that would have had Jordan and Bear whimpering with glee. But Alex didn’t have time to marvel, since she was frozen in the doorway and gaping at the people within—all of whom were seated around an oval table and staring directly at her.
“Alex, welcome,” King Aurileous said, motioning her over to him. As he rose, the rest of those at the table stood as well, their chairs scraping back as they took to their feet.
Eyes wild and heart pounding, it took a pointed shove from Jeera to propel Alex into the apparent war room and approach the king.
“Hello, Your Majesty,” she said with a respectful curtsy. She repeated the gesture to the smiling queen who, unlike the others, remained seated by his side. “I, um… Am I interrupting? I can wait outside until you’re done here.”
The king’s eyes, as unique as his daughter’s, were kind and steady as he looked at Alex, but they were also darkened by shadows that hadn’t been there the last time she’d seen him.
“I understand you wished to speak with the queen and myself, but it has come to my attention that what you intend to share today should be heard by key members of my council,” the king explained, moving his arm to indicate the table. “Those in this room are my most trusted inner circle of advisors, the ranking human leaders of Medora.”
Once again, Alex wondered how he could possibly have any idea of what she needed to tell him—let alone who would need to hear it. Darrius had sworn not to breathe a word when he’d given her the Bubbler vial, just as D.C. had promised to be vague when she’d contacted her parents to arrange the meeting.
“If you’re certain, Your Majesty,” Alex said, if hesitantly. It was one thing to convince the king and queen of the impending threat—and now without D.C.’s support—but another entirely to convince a group of strangers.
But as Alex glanced around the room, she realised most of them weren’t strangers. Aside from the king, queen and Jeera, there were five others in attendance, only two of whom Alex didn’t already know.
“If you would like to take your seat, I’ll make the introductions and you can get started,” King Aurileous said.
Jeera touched her fingers to Alex’s elbow and motioned for her to follow towards the far end of the table. As they moved, Alex couldn’t help making eye contact with those she had met before. Major Tyson was there, as was General Drock, whose scorching gaze narrowed dangerously as she passed him.
Alex knew the general’s ire was well deserved, thanks to the ruse she had pulled when she and her classmates had infiltrated the Soori Outpost during Hunter’s overnight SAS trip. As for Major Tyson, being Hunter’s inside man meant he’d known Alex wasn’t the princess she’d claimed to be—a feat he still found amusing, if his poorly concealed grin was anything to go by.
Moving her eyes quickly past them lest she start blurting out apologies and excuses, she fixed her attention on the last familiar person in the room—a welcome face, thankfully.
“William,” she greeted, surprised—and relieved—to see Bear’s father in attendance.
“Long time, no see, Alex,” he joked. To his mind, he’d seen her just a week ago. Regardless, he still wrapped her in a quick but warm embrace, his casual affection—and lack of formality—soothing her nerves. When he let her go, he kept his hands on her shoulders and his eyes roamed her face. “You must’ve been in the sun a lot this week. You’re much more tanned than when I last saw you.”
Alex forced out an awkward-sounding laugh in an attempt to deflect any further observations from the keen-eyed Warden. She then took the seat between William and Jeera at the opposite end of the oval to King Aurileous and Queen Osmada.
Not wasting any time, as soon as everyone was seated, Aurileous began his introductions. He gestured to the woman seated next to the queen who, like Jeera and William, was dressed in the familiar Warden uniform—head to toe in black with the golden emblem of two swords crossed behind a crown stitched over her heart.
“This is Commander Nisha James,” Aurileous said, “who is in charge of Medora’s armed human forces—both the Wardens and the standard military.”
Alex examined the commander. “James?” she repeated, her gaze flicking between Jeera and Nisha as she noted the similarities between them, from the bright blue eyes to the dark hair, fading slowly as it was to grey in the older woman.
“I believe you’re well acquainted with my niece and nephew.” Nisha’s face remained stoic, but there was a familiar spark in her eyes as she looked at Alex. “They both speak very highly of you, Alexandra Jennings.” That spark brightened as she finished, “My nephew in particular.”
Feeling heat flood her cheeks for no logical reason, Alex stammered out her thanks and turned back to the king.
“Next is General Alan Drock who heads up the western half of Medora’s active military. I believe you’re… acquainted.”
Alex bit her lip as she took in the king’s twinkling gaze before turning to the general. “Uh, hello, General. It’s… good to see you again.”
Drock’s eyes were narrowed. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t drag you out of here and have you imprisoned for fraudulent misconduct, trespassing upon a high-security military base and identity theft—of a royal, no less.”
Alex curled her fingers under the table, her nails pressing into her palms. “I can’t give you one,” she admitted quietly. “But I can say it’s in your best interest that you don’t.”
Drock crossed his arms over his chest. “Confident little bugger, aren’t you?”
Despite the situation, Alex still found humour in his response. “I see your language hasn’t improved since we last spoke.”
Wonder of all wonders, Drock’s mouth twitched. “If you remember, Princess,” he mocked, sounding amused rather than remaining enraged, “I seem to recall owning up to my bad habits.”
“And I recall you agreeing to refrain from such habits when I’m around,” Alex returned light-heartedly.
“Unfortunately for you, that agreement was for Princess Delucia, not Alexandra Jennings.”
Alex dipped her head in acceptance, mostly to avoid letting him see the hope in her eyes. Despite the cantankerous general being an intimidating man, Alex had come to see him more as a kind of uncle figure. She only hoped he might move past her deceit and give her another chance to earn his forgiveness—and his respect.