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Epilogue

I wake up later that night in a fancy bedroom. I see the heart monitor beside me and realise I'm in a hospital room.

My stomach is bandaged and my head feels groggy.

I remove the clip from my finger and place my feet on the cool, hardwood floor.

I find a pair of slippers and a grey robe in the wardrobe. I put them on and leave my room.

Outside my door are two guards in special uniforms. They're the colour black and have the Harrington crest on both shoulders.

"You're not allowed to leave this room on orders of the Queen." The one on the left says.

"Where's my brother?"

They don't respond. I walk out of the room.

"I have to ask you to please step back inside." They keep their arms at their sides.

I open the door of the room beside me, it's empty. I check the next one, also empty.

"Princess, you need to..."

"Stop talking." I snap at them. Pain shoots through my head and I massage my scalp.

I keep walking till I see Grey's room. It's the last one in the hall.

He's hooked up to machines and has a white gauze on his neck.

"Grey," I whimper.

His eyes open slowly. "Hey."

I sigh in relief and rush to his bed. "What is wrong with you? Why didn't you leave when you had the chance?"

He scoffs and whispers, "And let you get all the glory for killing Ryppers again? Never."

The door opens and Seb walks in with guards wearing the same special uniforms. He excuses them. They give curt nods and leave.

Seb is in his clothes from earlier. The jacket is gone and the first few buttons of the shirt are undone.

He looks at us and his face breaks. "I left you." He shakes his head. "I didn't even notice till it was over. I..." He struggles to breathe and places his hands on his chest.

"It's fine, Dad," Grey assures.

"No, it's not." Seb shakes his head. "This last year I've ignored you two. I haven't been paying attention. I've been focused on Freya and her nonstop politics. I've failed you two."

Grey and I share a look.

"It's fine. We're fine. We're safe." Grey and I keep assuring him.

A man walks into the room without knocking. He's in his late fifties, has a full head of grey hair, and stormy grey eyes. He walks with a cane made of fine polished wood. He's wearing a black suit with a single brooch pinned to the lapel. It's a shield with a horse, under it is words I can't see clearly.

"It's a pleasure to meet you two." He nods politely at Grey and me.

Seb scowls. "Outside, Rane. I'll tell her myself."

The man ignores Seb and smiles at me. "Cassandra Harrington. This truly is a pleasure."

"I don't care who you are, Rane. Get out of this room now. You'll talk to my daughter when she's out of the hospital and not a second sooner."

"Infante..."

"Out!"

The man rolls his eyes and exhales. He gives me a warm smile. "I look forward to meeting you again, Cassandra. We have much to discuss." He nods at Seb. "Matteo." He laughs and walks out of the room.

Grey looks as confused as I feel. "What just happened?" He directs that at his dad. "I've never seen anyone talk to you like that before."

Seb huffs. "You should see how he talks to Freya."

Grey looks even more confused. "Who is he?"

Seb rubs his face. "The two of you should get some rest. I have to take care of a few things." Seb leaves the room.

"Am I in a pain-induced hallucination?" Grey asks me.

I try to massage the pain out of my head. "I'm not really the person to ask."

I see a bottle of painkillers on his bedside table and take two.

"This was an eventful pledge ceremony." Grey remarks.

I nod in agreement. "Who do you think that man was?"

"Why are you asking me? You're the one he was looking for." Grey stares at his closed door. "What do you think he wanted?"

I try to think and my migraine comes back.

"I don't think I can handle anything else today," I say truthfully.

"Do you want to watch Aunt Freya's speech?" He picks up the remote on his bed.

I grimace. "No."

He laughs softly. "Tristan called a few minutes before you walked in. Do you want me to call him back?"

"No."

"Arin, maybe?"

"Grey." I'm too tired to make my tone threatening. "I'm tired, my body hurts, and I don't want to think about my problems." I release a big sigh. "I don't want to think about my powers, I don't want to think about Ryppers, and I don't want to think about Arin or Tristan."

Grey nods. "So you're just gonna focus on the mysterious man who's powerful enough to boss Aunt Freya?"

"I will punch you in the neck."

He responds by laughing.

The door opens and Kat walks in. She's wearing a plain white T-shirt and grey shorts.

"Hey, you two." She sits on the chair beside the bed.

"Sick people only," Grey says.

I roll my eyes. "The only rule here is no talking about the outside world."

Kat sighs in relief. "That's reassuring. You don't want to know the shitstorm that's brewing outside."

"What shitstorm?" Grey asks.

"First, there's the new guards..."

"One rule," I interrupt her. "Let's have one night to ourselves."

"I don't think that's possible. You'll find out what happened and what's about to happen sooner or later."

Grey curses. "It's been six hours."

Kat shakes her head. "The public is losing confidence, and the council is turning on us. My mum has gone feral."

"Kat, please," I beg. "One night."

She gives me a sympathetic smile. She brings her legs up on her chair and rests her head on her knees.

I grab the remote from Grey and put on old episodes from a popular Aldean show on the TV. No one says anything.

I don't know if my family is paying attention or thinking about the problems waiting for us when the sun rises.

I shake my head, allow the painkillers to take over, and focus on the program in front of me.