Within their dreams (Reverse Harem)

Chapter 45

Ivy's POV

None of us slept last night. We're camped out in my room, watching the suns rise as Leo paces. Servants have come and brought us food which we've barely picked at, just staring at the clock waiting for our impending doom.

When a servant knocks on our door, we all bolt upright. A gray-haired woman opens the door, curtseying to us.

"They have arrived," she says and we all look at each other. It feels like the air has been sucked from the room, the same uneasy expression on all of our faces. We stand, following the maid out of the room and down towards the strategy room we met in previously.

My palms begin to sweat and I wipe them on my trousers as I try to calm my pounding heart. Leo leads, looking every bit as regal as he should, even the lines of tension in his shoulders just making him seem more in charge.

As we enter, the council stands, all of them looking confused and annoyed to have been summoned so early.

"What is the circumstance you required us for?" John asks, sitting back down again. "And where is Lord Simon?"

On cue, two guards drag Simon into the room, dropping him onto a chair at the far end of the table. A few of the council members gasp quietly, but John just stares at the man opposite him. Simon looks gaunt, as if I stole his very essence rather than just his magic. His hair has begun to grey, his skin pale and wrinkled. In just one night he seems to have aged twenty years and I wonder if this is similar to how I must have looked to others when he would siphon from me.

"What have you done to him?"

"He was found guilty of treason and has been punished by removal of his magic." The council gasp again, the air crackling with tension.

"What exactly, has he supposedly done?"

"Attempted to steal the future Queen's magic and take the throne for himself."

"When? Why wasn't there a trial?"

"There was a trial last night."

"There cannot be a trial without the council present!" John bangs his fist against the table. Simon just sits there, eyes downcast. His hands are bound in front of him and he flexes them quietly, as if he still can't quite believe his magic is gone. I turn my eyes away from him, angry at the small pebble of guilt I feel.

"We are the future rulers of the realm. We do not need the council to oversee our judgement."

"This is ridiculous," John scoffs. "You have not been crowned yet. There has been no formal announcement of your rule. You cannot go rogue!"

"The people have always known their true rulers," Owen says. "They've just been waiting for us to complete the mating ceremony so we can become King."

"And that hasn't happened yet," John snaps.

"It happened a few weeks ago," Leo says. Shocked silence falls upon the room.

"We did not approve this," John says, standing.

"There is no formal approval for true mates," Lord Thomas says. "Technically, they are allowed to complete the bond without our permission, unless they choose a different partnership."

"Besides," adds Lord Marcus. "Wasn't this inevitable? We all agreed that Ivy should return to the palace, surely we all knew that in time they would have performed the ceremony."

"They cannot undermine our authority," argues John. "There is a reason we have the council."

"Times have changed," Owen says. "The realm isn't at war like it once was. People live harmoniously. The council are here to offer advice, not rule on behalf of the Royals."

"We would like your blessing to hold an official coronation, however, we're also happy to remove the need for the council entirely." Leo shrugs his shoulders. "The choice is yours."

The council shuffle in their seats, eyeing one another. I bite my lip, praying they'll make the right choice. Leo and Owen offer their hands to me and I take each one gratefully.

"Well, it cannot be undone now," Thomas sighs.

"I just hope you don't decide to make all future decisions on your own now," Marcus grumbles.

All eyes turn to John. He glances at Simon before flicking his eyes back to us. He doesn't bother voicing his approval, just simply waves his hand and leans back in his seat. The weight that has slowly been pushing down on my shoulders is lifted, and I look over at the Princes with a grin. They smile back, glad that we didn't come to physical blows.

"When will the coronation be?" Thomas asks.

"It should be today," John replies. "The realm is already gossiping about the girl, so it's best we put rumours to rest."

"Fine," Leo says. "I'll have the palace begin preparations."

"What will you do with him?" John says, tilting his head towards Simon.

"He may return to his coven, however his title and seat on the council will be stripped from him."

No one tries to argue in his favour, even as the guards enter and take him back to the dungeons.

Leo and Owen remain with the council to discuss the coronation, while Scarlette bursts through the door and whisks me away to get ready.

She drags me into a giant dressing room, where Isabella and Willow sit on velvet armchairs.

I'm pulled into a group embrace, each of them peppering me with questions as to how it went.

"They're not happy, but we're having a coronation so I guess it went well."

"I'm so excited for you! You're going to be a Queen."

I swallow, a whole new batch of nerves now taking residence in my chest.

"I've never really thought about the fact that I'd have to be Queen," I say. Scarlette stops dancing around the room organising makeup to grip my hands in hers.

"You're going to be amazing."

"You are," Willow agrees. "The people will love you."

"I hope so," I sigh.

"Are we done being scared? Because we have a lot of work to do!" I laugh as Scarlette begins ordering Willow and Isabella around, ignoring the glares they give her. I push away my nerves and allow myself to enjoy this moment with my friends.