The Annex

Chapter 37

"What did he say," I demanded from Gallo.

"I think you heard what he said," Gallo said softly.

"I am not going to marry Atlas Moreau," I said flatly.

"Why not," Gallo threw his hands into the air. "You guys were perfectly enamored with each other before. Everything was going according to plan!"

His words ignited my anger and he knew he had made a mistake.

"According. To. Plan?" Each word was short and packed with anger. "My brief and fleeting relationship with Atlas was part of a plan?"

My hand moved so quickly I didn't realize it had moved to slap Gallo across the cheek. He recoiled and I watched as anger filled him.

"This wasn't my fault. Isla's the matchmaker and the mastermind behind these plans. Stop taking it out on me." He glared at me. "And you know what, Cara? It was a damn good plan. Probably the best plan to get you on the throne. You and your hot mess of a temper and dramatics and stubbornness isn't what the Court would want. And you're a stranger. You're a wild card. Atlas is probably your greatest competition. He's got fucking magic in his veins." The temple in Gallo's forehead throbbed as his voice raised. He had begun to grow red but he still continued.

"He's a fucking Moreau, he has connections and grew up here. Everyone knows him and he's charismatic. Which is more than I can say for you. Together, your dual candidacy is unbeatable. No other single Candidate would be capable of beating you out for the throne. You came here to make a difference, to claim your birthright. And our job was to help you get it. We're just doing our damn job. So get your mind straight and figure out what's more important to you. Being married to someone who you get along okay with or not being able to make a difference in this Kingdom."

I turned and stomped away angrily, trying not to be the petulant child I felt like. Frustration at Isla and Gallo coursed through me. I needed to do something to let the anger out. I found myself making my way to Isla's cottage and to the back of her house. I found the wedge and the sledgehammer and began slamming it into a piece of wood. The rhythmic pounding of the hammer against the wedge didn't manage to soothe me, but it did exhaust my body. I didn't want to be just another pawn in the game. I wasn't just to be married off. I hammered away for a long time until I finally sat down to think.

I didn't want to be a piece in someone else's game. But I couldn't ignore the valid points Gallo had brought up. Atlas was an excellent Candidate. He was well loved, charismatic, well connected within the Court, came from a ridiculous amount of money, and had magic coursing through his veins.

"Shit," I muttered. I came to the realization that I had shared Atlas' powers. I had made a mistake. The Court now knew that Atlas had powers, and those powers did not come from the Moreau bloodline. Atlas' true identity would be revealed. I dropped the sledgehammer and ran racing towards the Palace. I tore through the hallway until I came to Atlas' room and threw open the door.

"Whoa," Atlas whirled around his shirt in hand. "Cara?" I bent over as I gasped for breath. I had to breathe before I could speak.

"I," I gasped for breath as I felt a cramp. "I made a mistake. I'm so sorry. I really messed up."

"What's wrong," he asked as he came to me. He was sweaty and had clearly been training or working out. "Do you want to sit down?" His voice was soft and gentle and it made me feel worse about my mistake.

"I'm really sorry. You know how I just had my interview. Well at one point I started telling the story of our recent adventure-"

"Moreau," the Commander threw open the door that I had just thrown open. Unreadable emotion flashed across his face when he saw me. "I thought you would want to know that the privy council has asked about your powers and as a result, your lineage." I whipped around to look at Atlas.