The One by Sadie Waters

Author:Sadie Waters
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rogue Wolf Publishing

Chapter 14

Not So Unprecedented

Maerilee

The throne room is heavy with anticipation as we all sit before the council, the weight of the situation pressing down on me like a ton of bricks. My mother is seated beside me, her expression calm and composed, though I know her well enough to see the worry etched in the tightness around her eyes. My father has joined us, sitting on her other side and completely clueless as to why the meeting has been called. Across from us, River and his parents are seated with an air of restrained authority. Brook, as usual, trails silently along with them, his presence almost forgotten in the midst of everything. Next to me sits Akin, a steady presence in the whirlwind of uncertainty that surrounds us.

The council members are gathered around the long table in the center of the room, their robes of office billowing slightly as they shift in their seats. There’s a murmur of conversation as they glance between one another, clearly unsure of how to proceed with the situation we’ve presented them.

My mother speaks first, her authoritative voice somehow managing to remain gentle.

“I have asked you here today to help us navigate this unprecedented situation,” she starts calmly, though I don’t miss the flash of concern in her expression. “Princess Maerilee has discovered that she has not one, but two potential Ones. This is unique, to say the least, and we are in need of your guidance.”

The room falls silent, the council members exchanging looks of varying degrees of confusion and concern. Finally, one of them, a fae with a stern face and sharp eyes, clears his throat and speaks

“This is indeed a most unusual situation,” he begins, his voice clipped and formal. “The bond between a fae and their One is meant to be singular, a unique connection that strengthens both individuals. To have two such bonds . . .,” he trails off. “Well, it raises many questions about the validity of either.”

Another council member, a woman with silver hair braided intricately around her head, leans forward.

“If Maerilee were to ascend the throne with more than one One, it could create a political and magical imbalance,” her voice is commanding and firm. “The laws of succession are clear: the fae who ascends must be bonded to a single One to ensure the strength and stability of the barrier that protects Altinna.”

My heart sinks as I listen to them debate, their words echoing the fears that have been swirling in my mind since River showed up at my door this morning. They’re so focused on the legalities, on what’s allowed and what isn’t, that they’re missing the bigger picture. I can feel the power within me, the strength that both Akin and River bring out when they’re near. But none of them seem to care about that. They’re too caught up in the technicalities to see what truly matters.

“They’re treating this like a legal dispute,” River mutters beside me, his voice low and laced with frustration.

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