Queen of Chaos (Legacy of the Nine Realms, #5)(27)
“With all due respect? I don’t care what they have promised him. The throne isn’t why I came here. I’ll tell you the same thing I told Aden, in case you missed it the first time. I’m here to learn who my father is and what I am to become. If Griffon promised Aden a throne, that’s on him. It isn’t on me. Prior to my arrival, I specified that I wouldn’t be coerced into anything. I meant it. The land chose me before you found me in the maze. It has accepted my claim to it as well. So, I dare any of you to see how far I’ll allow you to push me on this. I promise you it won’t be far at all. I doubt Aden could handle me at my weakest, let alone when I have the power of the land behind me.” The last part tumbled out before I could think better of disclosing the information. An amused smile played across Zyion’s lips as he unfolded his arms.
“If that’s true, then neither of them can argue your claim to the throne. Still, you’ll face pushback since every woman in this kingdom wants a chance at Aden.” A look of disbelief stamped over his sharp, regal features as his smile turned cocky. “I’d be careful with whom you disclose that secret to, princess.”
“They can have the pompous prick and stop calling me princess. It sounds dainty. I assure you, I’m no such thing.” Offering him a playful smirk, I decided I didn’t hate the glimmer of amusement in his eyes. “Did you actually intend to show us to our room? Because we’re not the damsels who need to be saved—in fact, we’re the monsters that other creatures fear, but even monsters need to sleep sometimes,” I stated boldly, hiking a thumb toward Esme.
“I promise you, we’re all monsters here, Aria.” He didn’t allow me time to reply before moving toward a large, decorative set of doors down the hall.
Zyion threw them wide as he entered the chamber. The scent of lemongrass and lavender tickled my nose as I followed him inside. They’d painted the spacious foyer in a soothing shade of Tiffany Blue. Plush, white furniture sat in the center of the space. More vases of fresh flowers adorned the smaller tables, as well as one in front of the settees, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. The furniture was evidently chosen for its comfort rather than its looks.
“Is it to your liking, princess?” Zyion taunted.
“You don’t like me, do you?”
Esme ignored us both as she walked toward the large French doors leading out onto a grand balcony. The moment she opened them, the gentle sound of nature flooded the room. The warm evening breeze drifted into the surrounding space, soothing the chill of my bones. The air carried the scent of briny water, wood smoke, and damp earth, and I took a long inhale before turning my whole focus back to the male in front of me.
“Does it matter if I like you or not?”
I moved around to the couch so I could sit and sank into the soft cushions. “You said that, if we found ourselves in trouble, we should come to you, Zyion. In the next breath, you made it sound as if you prefer we didn’t trouble you. It cannot be both. So, which one is it?” Yanking my legs up beneath my bottom, I settled deeper into the cushions of soft material.
Zyion tilted his head to one side with a smile playing over his lips. “You don’t know who I am, but you will, Aria Primrose. Eventually, you’ll understand why I’d prefer you run to me if you’re in trouble.” With that, he turned on his heel and marched from the chamber, closing the door behind himself.
“He’s pleasant,” Esme muttered from the doorway. “Now, what the fuck happened?” Her eyes dared me to lie to her.
“I met Scylla Prometheus,” I admitted in a hushed tone. Esme’s lips parted in shock before she clamped them together, glowering at me. “The crystal I touched? It sucked me down a rabbit hole. I was literally in a chamber filled with nothing but portals. After choosing one, I landed in the woods, where a stag with flowers adorning his horns spoke to me. Then I found an atrium. Scylla was there, waiting for me. She claimed she was the one who set the prophecy into play. Scylla Prometheus sacrificed her life to ensure I existed.” Esme plopped down across from me, looking more troubled than angry.
“You know that makes you sound crazy, right? You know what? Forget it. Aria, I don’t like how Aden is assuming you are his for the claiming.” I had to agree with her on that one. Both his words and actions were sketchy.
“He matters so little that I’m not worried about him, honestly. Ember will eat him without thinking twice about doing so. Besides, Scylla performed a ritual tonight, and the Kingdom of Fire chose me. In doing so, I felt the land today when I merged with it. Not this one. The emotions belonged to the true Kingdom of Fire. Some people there aren’t truly dead, which is rather disheartening. They’re waiting for a ruler to return before they’ll willingly rise. The land doesn’t want this realm saved because it’s not part of the Nine Realms. When Griffon created this one, he unknowingly ended countless lives within his homeland.”
“You’re certain he wasn’t aware of the cost of creating a realm?” She inquired hesitantly.
Kicking my legs out from beneath me, I rested my elbows on my knees and then leaned forward to steeple my fingers in front of my face. “No, I don’t think he knew—at least not at first. I think Griffon created this one, and it triggered the knowledge of the cost to be written in the tomes of the library. It’s why it hid that knowledge from me when I was planning to create one to hide the witchlings in.” Goosebumps spread over my arms as the realization hit me. I’d have to explain it to him if it were the case.