Chapter13: Mother Knows Best

Maerilee We walk through the palace corridors in tense silence, River on one side of me and Akin on the other. The air between them is charged, both men radiating barely concealed frustration. I keep my head high, trying to focus on the task at hand. My mother will surely have the answer to this. She’ll know what to do. The weight of the situation presses down on my chest, and I can still feel the remnants of River’s kiss, the surge of power I don’t fully understand. But there’s no time to dwell on that. Not now. When we finally reach the throne room, I pause just outside the grand doors, the echo of raised voices reaching my ears. My mother’s voice, tight with anger, is unmistakable. I motion for Akin and River to stop, pressing my hand lightly against the door to listen. I can hear another voice too, one that sends a chill down my spine. Direken. He’s here, talking to my mother. No, not just talking, arguing. Heatedly. “We’ve waited long enough, Queen Kimalissa,” Direken snaps. His v