The Red City

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Chapter Four:

It took only a single command from the Korol to clear the room. Dourly dressed hybrids mournfully rose from their seats, leaning in close to one another to whisper lowly as they threw me scornful glances. I giggled a little to myself; they were like petty schoolgirls, the lot of them, what with their gossiping.

Rowena and Tabby cast twin glares at me as they began the subtle exodus to the door. Gerard followed suit, sliding an arm around Rowena's waist as they retreated down the aisle. She didn't hesitate to smack his hand away with disgust before deliberately locking arms with Tabby and flouncing off. Gerard, disgruntled, melted in the crowd, but not before giving Chance a dirty look.

I followed the surly brunette's gaze to where Chance stood by his father's side, perfectly still and erect as a member of the Queen's Guard. Chin raised haughtily, his snowstorm eyes stared off at nothing. He, along with his father, had remained, even as the door shut decisively behind the last Chaser.

"Alone at last," The Korol said, his deep voice bouncing off the walls before getting lost in the cavernous ceiling above. "It is quite difficult to deal with a situation such as this with an audience, don't you think Ulysses?"

"Quite difficult my liege," Ulysses parroted, nodding stiffly in agreement; his arms lay at his side as rigid as railroad tracks.

"And now that we finally have some privacy, I must extend a warning to you young Ms. Brady," Abram went on, his scarlet gaze sweeping over to me. "Your transition here will not be an easy one. The Coven will not be accepting, but I'm confident that if any Fay can win them over, it's you."

I mulled that over for a second, twirling a piece of my hair around my pointer finger. This wasn't exactly news to me. The Chasers had not tried to hide their dislike of me in the slightest. Between their cutting looks and scornful whispers, I'd quickly deduced that I was not welcome here.

"I'm sure I can manage," I assured the king, beaming. I was not at all worried about being liked. I'd been adored by enough people in my life to know it wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Maybe it was about time I got a taste of hate.

"Of course! Lovely girl like you," the Korol purred like a demented kitten before turning his gaze over to Chance who hadn't moved a centimeter. "Now Chancellor, I'm sure you grasp what a difficult endeavor this will be. The Coven is already in an uproar over my decision, and as such, on top of being young Aisilinn's trainer, you shall also be her protector. If any of the others make a move against her, you are authorized to use whatever means necessary to defend her. Is that understood?"

"Yes sir," Chance responded, his face betraying nothing. He was like a breathing statue, a painting with blinking eyes.

"Most excellent," Abram cheered, clasping his burly hands together, "And I trust I don't have to warn you of the consequences you will face if my orders go unheard." His thick eyebrows crawled up his forehead inquisitively. "Smart boy like you would never disobey."

"Wouldn't dream of it," Chance responded, some of that attitude from the night before seeping into his tone as the statue came alive. His lips curled ever so slightly at the edges in amusement as he tacked on a, "My Lord," as a sort of afterthought.

"Excellent. Absolutely splendid. Now how about you take our lovely guest here to get settled, hmm?" The Korol inquired, his condescending tone making it clear that it wasn't a request.

"Of course," Chance said, leaving his beloved post to approach me. He stood by my side then, patiently waiting.

"Now Unmarked One," the Korol addressed me, "If you have any troubles, you bring them straight to me. I want your stay here to be most productive. I have big plans for you Ms. Brady, big plans."

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