“I knelt for Darcy in the arena,” I admitted, staring him straight in the eye. “She is my queen, whether that be by the choice of the stars or a fate carved by my own hand. I was always meant to kneel for her.”
“And Roxy is my queen too. But she is not Solaria’s,” Darius said, raising his chin, stubbornness filling his expression and my jaw tightened as I felt us standing on two sides of an uncrossable chasm.
“Rule with them,” I pleaded.
“This isn’t some fairy tale where the lost princesses show up and magically make everything better in the world, Lance,” he replied. “Think of it logically. Even now, they know barely anything of our world. They couldn’t pinpoint most Solarian cities on a map. They don’t know the laws of old, they don’t know the intricacies of the Orders’ needs, they don’t have a lifetime of knowledge that a ruler requires to rule well. Like me and the Heirs do.”
“So teach them,” I demanded. “I’ll teach them too. Between you and I, we could prepare them for that role.”
“I’m not saying we won’t give them the chance to learn those things, but the truth is, it would take years for them to fully grasp even half of what has been drummed into the other Heirs and I since we were born. I’m not thinking of the throne, or my own personal power, I’m thinking of Solaria. And returning our kingdom to the rule of the Vega line makes no sense if they’re not the best choice to lead our people to peace and prosperity. You know the plans the other Heirs and I have to make changes for the better in this kingdom. Would you have us throw away everything we’ve worked for our entire lives just because the line of succession states they should wear a pretty crown and we shouldn’t?”
“I’m asking you to put your knowledge to use. Teach the Vegas so that they can sit on the throne, and sit at their side as their guidance on the Council.”
“The Heirs need the power to make real change in Solaria, they can’t be shackled in their decisions by the rule of a monarch. And no matter how well meaning the Vegas might be as queens, the fact is, they don’t know enough to make those decisions. They aren’t prepared to make the kinds of calls that will have to be made to force the change that needs to happen, and the Celestial Council can’t be forced into submission over decisions that will affect millions of lives by girls whose ignorance makes them incapable of understanding the issues fully,” he hissed determinedly, his eyes shifting to reptilian slits. “My father has taken the kingdom hostage, he has taken my entire life hostage, he took you hostage for years as well, not to mention what he did to Roxy. And I will make him pay for every single one of his crimes and take the throne from him so he will see that he created his own downfall in me.”
I reached out to rest a hand on his arm, understanding this need in him. I really fucking did, but the throne didn’t have to be the prize for his revenge plot. He could have all of that still and guide the Vegas, it was the better way.
“Is there something else to this?” I asked, frowning at him as his eyes burned with the intensity of his desire to end Lionel’s reign.
Darius cut his gaze away from mine, frowning slightly as he shook his head, seemingly frustrated with me because I didn’t share his opinion on the Vegas taking the crown. But yes, I knew what he was saying and yes, they absolutely needed further education to rule this kingdom properly, but it seemed to me that if the Heirs just found a way to reform the Celestial Council as it was intended, supporting the monarchy instead of resisting it, then maybe they could find a way to make it work that would be better for everyone.
“I can’t bow to them, Lance. Not while I know they aren’t the better choice for our kingdom. It’s not about vanity or ego or any of that crap. Hell, there’s a good chance I won’t even survive this war to see how this plays out. But in the event of my death, I want Xavier to take my place, not the Vegas, because he also understands everything required to rule which they just don’t.”
“You forget that your father was the one to teach you a lot of those lessons,” I murmured and he nodded his head in acceptance of that.
“I believe I have proved that I’m my own man now. I stand apart from his cruelty and have learned first-hand the damage that kind of leadership can cause. But if you truly believe that I am too like him to claim this place then say it,” he challenged and I shook my head in a clear denial of that.
“You have dark in you, Darius, but you are not your father. You know my faith in you has never wavered. I only want you to consider uniting to rule beneath the Vegas.”