Chapter 7

Miaka’s P.O.V

“I agree.”

I watched as satisfaction dawned in his eyes and everyone else looked at me in horror. Rihero was confident he had won, that he had me exactly where he wanted me and he did…except, I wasn’t going down without a fight.

This time when I spoke, I looked him in the eye, noticing every tiny detail. “I agree to marry into your Kingdom. But I will not be marrying you, Rihero, because you’re so old you’re practically an ancient and that would just be paedophilic. Instead, I will agree to marry your son, Jayden. He is the heir apparent and your successor, not to mention he’s only two hundred years old, so it’s an acceptable age range. Don’t you think so?”

With every word I spoke, Rihero’s eyes changed colour, becoming darker and darker until they were completely obsidian. He tried to keep his face expressionless, but he was failing, I could tell and so could everyone else.

Lancelin gave a light squeeze on my shoulder as he came to stand next to me. I could feel the other’s move closer as well, silently letting me know that they had my back.

I had turned the game against him and Rihero knew that. Jayden was a novice and nowhere near ready to take over the kingdom. He wasn’t a warrior or a conqueror; he was brave but caring and kind…sometimes far too kind. He just wanted to be an ordinary man, not a cruel ruler like his father and Rihero knew that. In other words, he was Rihero’s biggest disappointment.

There was also a rumour that Rihero had a daughter. She was also rumoured to be over fifteen hundred years old and born from a woman that Rihero truly loved, but no one knew the origin of this rumour or if she even existed. Rihero never spoke of his personal life and the way he was, always so strict and politically inclined, it was impossible to believe that Rihero had ever loved someone or ever could. His only existing son, Jayden, was produced under a political contract as well as his own mother is no longer allowed to be a part of his life and neither is she allowed inside the castle.

Now, looking at Rihero’s hard, black eyes, it was impossible to tell that he was the same person who had once saved me from a pit of vipers.

“You are right.” Rihero spoke with a false smile, his expression hard to read and his teeth gritting together. “I will go ask my son about his opinion and we shall then set a date.”

I couldn’t even express how much relief washed over me. I knew the danger hadn’t passed, just subsided for the time being. But it had bought me enough time to understand what was going on and to find a solution to prevent it.

Rihero gave me a small bow and then left the room silently. I let out a breath through my mouth as I watched the guards close the large double doors to the ballroom. But I didn’t have time to rejoice or relax, even on my own birthday. The time for the inevitable had finally arrived.

“Rain, please escort the council to the library.” I told her quietly, unable to face the rest of the council members yet. I wasn’t prepared.

“This way please, Your Highnesses.” Rain bowed low in front of the members of the Dark Council and led them to the library at the end of the hallway. Everyone followed her silently while I waited for the room to be empty. The mates would be taken to a separate room, away from the politics, as only the Kings and Queens could participate in a council meeting.

I knew I was out of time and I had to face the council now. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. I should’ve had time to plan this better, to think things through. But I couldn’t waste anymore time standing there and imagining all the ways that this situation could’ve turned out to be. I had to explain everything to them now.

Grapy came to stand by my side along with my father, both of them looked a bit concerned. I knew this was just as hard for them as it was for me but they wouldn’t show it in fear that I would get scare. So I took their hand and gave them a light squeeze before following the council into the library. Rain shut the door behind me and then it was just the council members.

“So…”

“Why is Rihero suddenly interested in marrying you?” It was Kalna, the Mystic Queen, who asked the first question. And I think it was a question that was on everyone’s mind, including mine.

“I wish I knew the answer to that.” I sighed, rubbing my temple gently. “He’s always the first person to oppose any cross species relationship. And…now he suddenly wants to marry me so we could rule over two dimensions.”

“Huh?” Lancelin gave a humourless laugh. “Since when does he have such Neanderthal like thought process? Control two dimensions together? He expects you to believe that?”

“Was there a condition? A threat?” It was Tanish, the Aqua King and probably the quietest member of the council, who showed his interest.

“Yes.” I nodded, it was time. “He wants to reveal my identity to everyone who if I don’t cooperate.”

“That’s absurd!” Erick scoffed. “What identity is he even talking about?”

“She’s a hybrid.” It was Lancelin who spoke, leaving me speechless, alongside Erick.

“You knew?” I asked them incredulously, just at the same time that Erick said, “She’s a what?”

Kalna nodded; a small smile on her face. “Erick’s newly crowned, so he hasn’t been a part of the council for long, but the rest of us knew the second you turned two. No demon could possible hold as much power as you do.”

“The Dark Council has been around for eons and some of us have known Rihero for centuries.” Kalna told me. “We went by a lot of different names in the past and we have seen changes in several leadership of different dimensions. There had been plenty of Queens before and Rihero has never batted an eyelash. And yet, him showing interest in you…threatening you on the basis of exposing your identity to all…something doesn’t add up.”

“Indeed.” Lancelin nodded. “I have been in the council for only two centuries but even I have to agree with her.”

“Well, he didn’t get what he wanted.” Tanish shrugged. “So we have time yet before his next move. As far as we know him, he calculates every possibility, but why he didn’t calculate his son into the equation…I have no idea.”

“He doesn’t really like his son.” Kalna sighed. “He’s probably going to remove him from crown prince position now that Miaka has reminded him of his only failure in life.”

“I agree.” Erick seems to have regained his composure. “So what do we do now? Sit tight and wait for his next move?”

“That’s all we can do for now.” I spoke; feeling relieved that I no longer had anything to worry about. Everyone in the council already knew my biggest secret. “But I don’t think he’ll make the same mistake he made this time. The next time he shows up, he’ll have a bigger and better plan.”

“Yes, he has a habit of not taking no for an answer.” Lancelin shook his head before getting up from his seat. “I guess that’s it for now. We must return to our dimensions by tonight and you need rest. If there’s any emergency, do not hesitate to contact any of us. We are always here for you.”

*

*

When I finally bid goodbye and retired to my room, I shut the door and silently fell to the floor, bringing my knees up to my chest and hugging them tightly.

Everyone knew…and they had just accepted it? I was a hybrid, part heavenly being, and part demon…an unknown who hasn’t reached their full potential yet. Then how come they…hope.

The realization was immediate and I was left wondering why I hadn’t thought of this before.

I was their hope. For the Incubus King and his vampire wife. For the Lion King and his shifter wife…and for the Aqua King and his wife, who was another unknown, just like me. Their future depended on my stability. If I could be a stable, safe hybrid then they could have children…they could have a future.

I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I had nearly missed the chime of my phone with an incoming message. I got up from the floor and went to my bedside table, where I had left my phone before going to the party. And there it was; a message from Kaleb, the man with the unique eyes.

“Come to the abandoned warehouse off of Lincon Street, tomorrow at noon. I have news and it’s important.”

Looks like I had something to take my mind off of council matters. But most importantly…how did he get my number?