When It Reigns (Cursed Reigns, #1)

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

AERYN'S POV

I could not surmise a place I would rather be in less than my father's office, but when the emperor requested your presence, you abided with no arguments or questions – not that I hadn't gone there the next morning without any gripes.

"That ambush was planned by King Kristos to determine if you had acquired an Insignia yet. It was a clear warning. The prince will not agree to marry a powerless Draconian and the war will continue until the Phoenixians are no longer the only species to suffer a max extinction in Traeveria."

He spat each word at me like it was an accusation – as if the ongoing war was my fault. It was also the first time I'd heard him mention the extinction.

I bunched my hands together behind my back and loosened my rigid posture in the stiff leather seat facing my father's gargantuan mahogany desk as I failed to appear nonchalant.

The obsidian crown encrusted with the four colorful crystals of his beloved Elemental Forces gleamed on top of his head as his icy blue eyes assessed me.

"We are losing Champions faster than we can replace them. At this rate, I may have to rush graduation early to replenish our Forces with the recent graduates. Only the top fifteen percent of your class will be assigned to the Force because I need to ensure only the best candidates fight in this war. I cannot send unskilled, unprepared, powerless Draconians to the Voltant Isles to die on the front lines."

I heard him loud and clear. The Chief Commander's own daughter was not suitable to join his Elemental Forces. His shame and disgust were potent as he adjusted his crown and placed his elbows atop the desk, leaning forward as he rested his chin on his tented fingers.

"I think it's time for you to make a visit to the Wielder."

I couldn't help the groan that accompanied my look of revulsion. "The ancient, crazy man who lives between the empire and Ravos territory outside our walls?"

My father apprehended me with a stern glare. "He has the knowledge of all the Draconians before us. If anyone knows why you're defective, it is the Draconian in possession of every Insignia."

I tucked my dark hair behind an ear and my father's eyes narrowed on the fingerless glove negating the use of the power I didn't have.

"You just can't wait to get rid of me, can you?" I snapped, immediate regret flittering through me, but I held my ground and matched his even stare. "Once I acquire my power, I will get sent away to the Ravos Kingdom and never see you again. I'm sure you must be looking forward to it."

"Go to the Wielder and tell him I sent you," he ordered, disregarding my outburst. "If you can't make it there and back on your own, then you aren't cut out for the Force."

Enraged, I stood up and snatched my small crown off his desk. Placing it on my head, I bowed deep and kept my eyes on him as I said, "Yes, Your Highness."

I straightened, removed the crown, and tossed it on his desk. "And when I return," I negotiated, "I'd like the Fire Force's red gem placed on my crown."

The muscle in his jaw ticked with the strength he used to clench it.

"Go," was all he said.

The dismissal was cold, but I tilted my chin up and pulled my shoulders back as I nodded once and exited.

Despite the ambush the previous day, Instructor Bayer was still holding class this afternoon. The tournament was not over even though Racquel's life was. I'd have to make the expedition to the Wielder over the weekend and rush back for the last challenge before midterm evaluations at the beginning of the next week.