Within their dreams (Reverse Harem)

Chapter 43

Ivy's POV

"No one knows."

Scarlettes eyes turn into saucers as she nods slowly. I sigh, slowly retracting my hands and stepping back. Isabella comes to her side, both of them staring at me in shock.

"When?" Isabella finally whispers, glancing at the door. I steer them to the sofa furthest from the closed door.

"A couple of weeks ago. I sneaked out of the coven one night." As they pepper me with questions, I proceed to tell them everything that's happened since I've been gone and Simon's plan for now I'm back.

"What are you going to do?" Scarlette says, biting her lip.

"I have a plan," I say. "I've spent the past month pretending I'm a willing participant in his plan. He thinks I'm brainwashed enough to really believe that giving him the keys to the kingdom is what's best for the realm. Now that he trusts me, he'll underestimate my strength."

"He's an Elder Ivy," Isabella says softly. "I highly doubt you're stronger than he is."

"I know I am," I say. "He's been siphoning my magic because he knows that my powers are stronger than his. But the time I've spent out of his clutches has replenished my magic. I can face him now."

"He's been stealing your magic? Why didn't you tell anyone?"

"Because if I had, Leo and Owen would've given up everything and I didn't want to be the cause of that. Besides," I shrug. "I wanted to know more about where my parents were raised, even the bad parts."

"Oh, Ivy." Scarlette hugs me again, her comforting scent washing over me. Tears prick my eyes, my shoulders lighter from finally telling someone about what happened at the Coven.

"I'm going to tell them," I mumble. "But I don't want them to fight all my battles for me. I can protect myself now."

"I know they can be a little overbearing sometimes, but they just want you to be happy."

"I know," I sniff, pulling away and wiping my tears with my sleeve. "I wanna prove to myself more than anything that I'm not some weak little girl who needs to hide behind her mates. Leo and Owen are going to be King and if I want to be by their side, I want to feel strong enough to handle it."

"You're one of the strongest people I know," says Scarlette, squeezing my hand. I smile, laughing when Isabella begins grumbling under her breath, pulling Scarlette onto her lap.

A knock sounds at the door, a young curly-haired guard poking his head in.

"Ma'am, I've been ordered to escort you to the meeting room." I wince at the name.

"Call me Ivy." He nods, opening the door wider. I sigh, standing and giving them one last hug.

"Be careful," Scarlette whispers.

"I promise I will." I reluctantly pull away, following the guard into the hallway. Two more walk behind me as I'm taken out of my mates' wing and back towards the room I sat in less than a week ago.

"I know my way there," I say. "I'm sure you all have more important things to be doing."

"Prince Leo insisted we accompany you," the original guard said and I roll my eyes. Of course he would.

"Who am I meeting?" I ask, despite already knowing the answer.

"I believe Lord Simon has requested an audience with you."

I'd spent the last four days wondering when he'd eventually decide to come here again. Despite being back at the palace and flanked with guards, my earlier bravado begins to dissipate and the nerves settle in its place.