Chapter 7 - THE COUNCIL THAT FEARED A QUEEN
News of Elara's transformation spread quickly.
Too quickly.
Within forty-eight hours, the northern council demanded an emergency session.
Representatives from twelve territories arrived.
Some were curious.
Others were frightened.
A few were openly hostile.
Damian entered the council chamber with Elara beside him.
She wore a simple navy dress.
Her hair was braided.
Her silver eyes drew every gaze.
A council elder rose.
“My king, this is unprecedented.”
Damian sat.
“Most interesting things are.”
The elder frowned.
“A Moonborn has not appeared in generations.”
“Apparently.”
“Their powers were considered dangerous.”
Elara stiffened.
Damian noticed.
“Dangerous to whom?”
Silence.
Another elder stood.
“The Moonborn challenged royal authority.”
Damian leaned back.
“Perhaps royal authority needed challenging.”
Several council members exchanged glances.
Lord Marcus Vale, leader of the western territories, stepped forward.
“The girl cannot remain near the throne.”
Damian's expression hardened.
“Explain.”
Marcus looked at Elara.
“Her bloodline threatens the balance of power.”
Elara lowered her eyes.
Damian's voice became dangerously quiet.
“She is standing right here.”
Marcus ignored him.
“The old laws require containment.”
Gideon rose.
“Those laws were written during the Silver Purge.”
Marcus glared.
“They remain valid.”
Gideon shook his head.
“They were never lawfully ratified.”
Murmurs filled the chamber.
Damian leaned forward.
“Then we will review them.”
Marcus's face darkened.
“My king—”
“Sit down.”
The command shook the room.
Marcus obeyed.
After the session, Elara stood alone on the balcony.
Damian found her there.
“You disappeared.”
She smiled faintly.
“I needed air.”
He stood beside her.
“They were afraid of me.”
Damian looked at her.
“Yes.”
Her eyes filled.
“I've spent my whole life being told I was dangerous.”
He shook his head.
“They fear what they don't understand.”
Elara looked toward the mountains.
“What if they're right?”
Damian turned toward her.
“Then we'll learn what your abilities are and how to use them responsibly.”
She looked at him.
“You don't fear me?”
He smiled faintly.
“I fear plenty of things.”
“Like what?”
Damian hesitated.
Then answered honestly.
“Losing someone I care about.”
Elara's breath caught.
He looked away.
“I have experience with that.”
She reached for his hand.
“Then don't push people away before they can choose to stay.”
Damian looked at her.
May you like
For the first time, he wondered whether the most dangerous thing about Elara wasn't her power.
It was how easily she saw through him.
