There were a few beats of surprised, awkward silence, then Sin mumbled with fake gravity, “And…this gives everyone who’s never seen that before a whole new meaning to PMS.”
I smacked the back of his head absently, but I dropped my own head, trying to regain my control. I rubbed my face, my system drawn and exhausted but at the same time jittery with humiliation and rage. I was taking out my emotions on the target who had most hurt me recently, Leric, when I shouldn’t be. He was only sticking up for me since I was too out of kilter to do it myself.
Leric actually chuckled softly, sounding mightily amused, and he murmured behind my back, “Those are the unmannerly expressions I told you all to lose because she will continue to shock you.” A pause. “As she stated, her system is adjusting to the re-use of power she drew from her Core. She’ll be better in a few days.” Another pause. “And Sprite, I’ll try not to be such an asshole, as you so…elegantly…stated.” He cleared his throat. “Well, where I can help it, anyway, since there are times it’s needed.” A humming pause, then a growl. “Yes, like it’s needed for the manipulative asses that are still fucking staring.”
I held up another hand in his direction, and with solemnity I muttered, “Leric…please, just stop.” I turned slowly, placing my spread fingers on the table. I inhaled deeply, then I peered up to the group watching me. “If you all continue to stare at me like I’m a goddamn new species every time I use my power, then I won’t use it ever again, no matter the situation. At least, not in front of you where you can experience the novelty yourself.” I raised my eyebrows at their quickly blanking expressions. “Are you all feeling me?”
King Collins instantly nodded, obviously wanting to see more of what, to them, was a phenomenon. “We apologize, Caro.” It didn’t look like he could stop the smile that slowly crept on his face, his thumbs beginning to tap like mad on the table. “But fuck, that was marvellous to witness.”
Queen Cooper cleared her throat, actually rolling her eyes at him then staring pointedly when he glanced her way.
He appeared to school his features, no longer acting like an eager scholar as his hands casually moved to the arms of his chair. He was again the King of the Elementals sitting across from me. “Right, well, what I’m sure you five have figured out by now was that was a test for the Prodigies’ readiness for the ruling positions.”
His grin was malicious this time. “And you all passed, while Brann passed his yesterday.” Blue eyebrows lifted. “Caro, Aria, London: You three and Brann will be crowned by the end of this year. We’ll start preparations for the festivities next month.” He threw his arms wide, and if I wasn’t mistaken, his tone was a bit celebratory for himself, and more than a bit sardonic for us. “Congratulations, you’re ready to take over our reign.”
The silence was…deafening. I really wished I had been sitting for that.
I had been assuming that was the case, praying that I was wrong, and well, it’s a whole different story when the words are spoken. The other Prodigies and I unquestionably did not want those crowns any time in the near future. They were a huge ball and chain, no, a damn noose of twenty years and a lifetime more of obligation wrapped tightly around our fucking throats, choking the very existence of who we were from our bodies.
We all froze, numb to the dreadfulness of the foreseeable.
Eyes unblinking, I watched as every single one of the Rulers’ lips lifted ever so slowly. Their own freedom shone in their eyes. Although they would still have undeniable resounding duties as Elders after they passed their reign to us, they would no longer be the direct heads of the Mystical people. For them, it was an enormous weight being lifted, and it dropped like a battleax directly on our shoulders.
With a wicked smile firmly in place, Queen Cooper glanced at each of our faces before relaxing further on her chair. She spread her hands wide, stating too gleefully for my taste, “Since we had a hunch you would need some cheering up after this glorious news, we’re going to take a small vacation, something which will be few and far between for you once the crowns are passed to you.” Her nose crinkled as she paused in thought, but she shrugged a shoulder, that smile of hers not diminishing. “It wasn’t my first choice, but since we know Brann and you, London,” she gestured across the table, “enjoy this, we’ll be heading to Aspen, Colorado, to hit the slopes in just a few days.”
It really could get worse.
I swallowed my instant dread, my eyes implausibly widening even further as I fell onto my seat, rubbing my forehead. Sin was already chuckling quietly under his breath.
“Is there an issue with this?” Queen Cooper asked instantly in our direction.
When I kept my mouth shut, not about to embarrass myself any further today by arguing, Sin snorted a few times. He held up his finger as he tried to contain his amusement, but he finally spurted, “I imagine there’s probably an issue with passing over the crowns, but with the destination of the trip?” He shook his neon green hair, his eyes sparkling. “Not for me, not at all. I love to ski. Now, for Caro…well, we’ll just need to make sure she wears plenty of padding.”
I had never been to Aspen, but I had understandably heard of it since it was an extremely popular tourist town in the United States. The snow there during the last five years had been kept perfect year-round thanks — or not so much — to a tycoon Mage. The marketing for the town was heavy on the television, and it used to make me shudder in revulsion and quickly change the channel. I was damn near scarred for life just from the overabundance of commercials of happy-happy folks skiing skilfully. Skiing was something I had never obtained the balance to do even remotely decently.
I sighed, peering to London. My voice was pathetically small as I asked, “Are there bunny slopes in Aspen?”
London and a few others in the room started snickering, and I guessed I would seriously need that damn padding Sin had spoken of.
“This is not going to be good.” I turned a glare on my King. “Any of it.” By the relieved sparkle in his brown eyes, he knew exactly what I was talking about. “Thanks, my King.”
“I do try, my Prodigy.” He grinned outright…and winked.
Bastard. He knew hell was coming.
Thanks for reading Chosen Thief. I hope you enjoyed it!
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ISBN: 9780857992338
Title: Chosen Thief
Copyright © 2015 by Scarlett Dawn
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