A crown of flames

Chapter 20

"Luke"

"I always knew there was something of about him"He said quietly

"He married my mom two months after my dad's death when i was 7 , i don't remember them even dating , and she seems miserable with him now"He pauses and then says "do you think he used that power on her, to force her to marry him i mean?"

"Dude , you can not be serious , you actually believe he can mind control people?"Victoria says with wide eyes.

I look at the prince , processing what Luke just suggested , could Matthew possibly not be some raving lunatic but actually have some demonic powers?

"Elide are you even listening ?"

"Sorry it's just taking me a while to process all of this "I reply "look i doubt your mom was forced by Matthew ,Luke you live with the guy i'm sure he would have used his powers on you by now,you'd know!"

Luke replied "He hasn't had a reason too , i do everything he asks me to and i make him look good in court why would he use his powers on me?"

"So Matthew has magical powers just because you don't understand why your mom married him?

"I don't know Elide it was just a thought"He said running his hands through his hair.

I sigh "I am sorry , this is just a lot for me , i guess we will find out the truth when he finds me next month huh?" I joke.

They look at me like they did not find me amusing.

"Come to think of it , it is weird how gold is banned at the castle , you would have thought the richest royal family in the world would prefer gold over silver" Victoria said thoughtfully.

"Yeah , maybe you guys should keep some on you , just in case" I suggest

Victoria looks at the anxious Luke before grabbing his arm and squeezing "We will find out what's he up too"And then she laughed as she said "We have Elide with us , the girl who got half the prince's court arrested and burnt down his room , I am sure she can conquer the devil"

"You overestimate me woman"I say with a grin as i get up.

"Hey where are you going?"asks Luke

"Library"I respond "I have an assignment to prepare and i haven't read since i came here so i want to find a couple books to occupy my time with now i don't have to plot against the courtiers"

They both laugh and tell me goodbye.

I start to walk to the dining hall door but someone calls to me.

"Yo mystery girl"Conner yells through cupped hands "come sit with us" he gestured to where he and the prince sat.

"Sorryyy , already ate!"I shout back.

"I have to give you something!"he says pulling out a something from the inside of his jacket.

I slowly walk to him and take a seat at his side , ignoring the prince sat across from me

"What is it?" I ask looking up at him.

He hands me a navy blue hardback book.

"I did some research"He tells me "I asked your friend Victoria some things about you , and she told me you're a huge bookworm"

The prince snorts but i ignore him.

"Huge is a bit of an exaggeration, I am only a minor bookworm"I tell him.

"Ah"He said snatching the book back "I guess i'll keep this for my self then"

I open my mouth in protest but he laughs.