As I stepped into the grand meeting room, I felt a sense of awe wash over me. The room was filled with the most majestic sight I had ever laid eyes on - eight territories seated in a circle around a magnificent stone table, each leader resplendent in their finest attire, their jewels and finery glinting in the soft light. I felt a surge of gratitude to Thadeus for allowing me to attend this meeting, despite his warnings that it would be a snooze-fest. The stone table itself was a marvel, its color shifting and changing with each territory's seat, creating a breathtaking circular rainbow that seemed to pulse with magic. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I gazed at the table, the colors blending and merging in a way that seemed almost otherworldly. The table glowed with a soft, ethereal light, as if it was alive, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder at the enchantment that surrounded me. As I took my seat behind Thadeus and his mother, Queen Amani, I felt a sense of pride and belonging. Thadeus had dressed me in a beautiful sage gown, which he teased was the only shade of green that complemented my pearl hair. I felt like a true royal, and the soft rustle of the fabric as I moved was like music to my ears. But as the meeting began, I quickly realized that Thadeus hadn't been exaggerating when he said it would be boring. The discussions were dry and complex, with each leader speaking in a language that seemed to be a mix of politics and magic. I struggled to keep up, my mind reeling as I tried to follow the intricate web of alliances and rivalries that seemed to exist between the territories. It didn't help that Thadeus kept distracting me with eye rolls and smirks, his eyes sparkling with amusement as he whispered silly comments in my ear. I tried to stifle a giggle as he made a face at me, but it was hard to resist his infectious grin. As I glanced around the table, I took in the different leaders and their unique styles. Lennon's mother, Queen Ganya, sat across from Queen Nataka of Visu, her red finery a stark contrast to Nataka's deep blue. To Nataka's right, Thadeus and I sat behind Queen Amani, surrounded by the soothing green stone. Across from us, the other half of Lennon’s parentage, Their Majesty Cade of Viya shone like a beacon in their translucent silver, their androgynous features gleaming with intelligence. Queen Kyrah and King Sully of Anja sat to Nataka's left, their dark violet attire a somber contrast to the vibrant colors of the other leaders. Next to them, Soraiya of Saha was a vision of classic beauty, her pearly lilac finery glowing like a soft mist. And directly across from her, Vienna of Manpuri was a striking figure in her gold and yellow jumpsuit, her eyes flashing with a fierce intensity. As the meeting droned on, I found myself zoning out, my mind wandering to the strange and wondrous world of Numariya. I knew so little about this land and its inhabitants, and the more I learned, the more I realized how much I had to discover.

Thadeus nudged me, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Still awake?"

I smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards him. "Barely."

Thadeus chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Don't worry, it'll be over soon," he promised.

I nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. But as I glanced around the table, I knew that I was just beginning to scratch the surface of this complex and wondrous world, and I couldn't wait to see what lay ahead. I sat in stunned silence, my eyes fixed on the door as Veronika strode in, a whirlwind of confidence and poise.

"Sorry I'm late, sister," she said, her voice dripping with a hint of sarcasm, as if she knew she was the center of attention. Kyrah's glare was met with a raised eyebrow from Veronika, who slid into her seat behind Anja Territory with the ease of a cat claiming its territory.

I felt a flutter in my chest as Cade's voice cut through the tension, their words a gentle rebuke. "Tardiness can be cumbersome for all involved parties, but some might say you're right on time, Veronika. Any news about The Dread? What of the gangs we discussed in last month's meeting?" Their eyes, piercing and intelligent, locked onto Veronika, and I couldn't help stare at the way they commanded the room.

Veronika's response was laced with venom, her words a stark contrast to the elegant surroundings. "Same shit, different day. Numariya's black sheep are barely surviving while you all bask in blissful unawareness." Her gaze swept the room, daring anyone to disagree.

Nataka's voice was a low growl, "I'm very much aware of everything that happens in my territory, including The Dread."

Veronika's smirk was a challenge, a gauntlet thrown. "Is that right, Nataka? Because I haven't seen you step foot in The Dread in years."

The air was thick with tension as Cade intervened, their voice a gentle prod. "Please, bestow upon us the awareness you assume we lack, Veronika."

Veronika's words spilled out like a dark confession, each sentence a revelation. "The gangs are becoming more audacious every day. They're getting bigger. Sidhe are suffering and joining out of desperation. The two largest gangs are producing addictive tonics that are getting desperate Sidhe hooked, they're starting to rival one another. There are several smaller gangs of truth farmers and heist squads." Her gaze locked onto me, a sneer twisting her lips. "And I was going to bring news of the human that somehow survived the bridge, but it looks like you're plenty aware of that." I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as the room's attention turned to me.

Saraiya's voice was a gentle breeze, a soothing balm to the tension. "I, for one, worry about the inhabitants of The Dread, specifically the innocents who happen to fall into traumatic life paths. With The Dread being so hard to escape, innocents will never have a chance at enlightenment. I welcome all innocents to come to Saha and volunteer in our temples, but how are they to accept when it's nearly impossible to rid themselves of those unsightly tattoos?"

The room erupted into a cacophony of voices, each one a unique melody in the symphony of argument. Vienna, the Ruler of Manpuri, was a sly wit, her words dripping with dominance. "Ever since the war ended, you all insist on finding minuscule problems where problems struggle to live!"

Veronika's retort was swift, " 'Problems struggling to live is a stretch in regards to The Dread, Vienna."

Vienna sneered at Veronika. “It was an over exaggeration to bring emphasis on the next point I was going to make before I was interrupted, Veronika. Without The Dread, Valtareans will not have a purpose. Idle hands of trained warriors is not something we need to be worrying about.”

The debate raged on, each royal adding their voice to the mix. Queen Nataka's interjection was a subtle warning, her eyebrow raised in challenge. "And what are you implying in regards to the integrity of your warriors, Vienna?"

Vienna's response was a sly smile, "Without The Dread, Valtareans will not have a purpose. It’s quite possible we’ll be removing one problem for another should we change the magic of The Dread to free it’s innocents."

Sat in front of Thadeus and I, Queen Amani’s voice cut through the tension. I felt a surge of emotion at her words. a gentle reminder of the innocents caught in the crossfire. "I agree with Saraiya, there's innocents in The Dread, we must have empathy for them as they could be any one of our own..." I felt a sense of solidarity with Thadeus’ mother, who seemed to understand the struggles of those trapped in The Dread.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Queen Ganya of Mula, Lennon's mother, added her voice to the mix, her words a personal testament to the struggles of The Dread. "Yes, well, I have first-hand experience dealing with someone who prefers to live in that squander."

And then, without thinking, I blurted out my own thoughts. "He wants to get out! I've been researching, trying to find a way to get him out."

The words hung in the air, the royals' faces a mixture of surprise and curiosity. I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as the room's attention turned to me, their eyes a piercing scrutiny. The silence that followed was oppressive, a heavy blanket that suffocated the room. I felt like I'd overstepped, like I'd intruded on a conversation that was none of my business.

But then, Cade spoke up, their voice a gentle inquiry. "Amani, it seems we haven't all been formally introduced to your guest. What is your name, miss, and what brings you to a Sidhe royal meeting?"

I felt a sense of trepidation as Amani turned to me, a warm smile on her face. "Her name is Ace. She is Anahate's newest human emissary in training, and a good friend of Prince Thadeus and Princess Sorelle... and Prince Lennon." The words felt like a benediction, a formal introduction to the world of the Sidhe royals.

But Veronika's scoff was a cold splash of water, a reminder that not everyone was pleased with my presence. "PRINCE, Lennon," she laughed, the title dripping with disdain.

Ganya's voice was a gentle rebuke, a soft correction. "My son would prefer to drop the title, as I'm sure you're well aware, Amani." The words seemed to hold a deeper meaning, a subtle warning that I couldn't quite grasp.

Queen Aurora's piercing gaze seemed to see right through me, her eyes a deep, rich orange that sparkled with curiosity. “You’re the human Sorelle told us about. Princess Sorelle is our daughter, I’m Queen Aurora and these are my partners Their Majesty Brennon and Queen Coral of Svadhi. Sorelle has spoken highly of you, Ace. We're grateful for your help with her research on the human lands.”

I felt a surge of pride at the mention of Sorelle's name. We had grown close during our time together, and I was happy to have been able to assist her in her studies.

But before I could respond, Queen Ganya's voice cut through the air, her tone sharp as a blade. "How do you know my son, miss Ace?"

I swallowed hard, trying to gather my thoughts. "I...I met Lennon on the bridge, Your Majesty," I began, my voice hesitant. "I woke up on Visu's side without my memories, and he helped me. I'm just trying to return the favor by helping him leave The Dread."

Ganya's eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing. "So you're from Sohume, and you survived crossing the bridge."

I nodded, a shiver running down my spine as I recalled the terror of that journey. "Yes, I barely survived it. It seemed to wipe my memories, but I remembered bits of my past on the way into Anahate when I almost got swallowed by the Frygt."

The room fell silent, the only sound the soft rustle of fabric as the royals exchanged glances. I felt a sense of unease, wondering if I had said too much.

Queen Saraiya's eyes widened in shock as she leaned forward. "Good heavens, child, you survived the Frygt?"

I nodded, a shiver running down my spine as I recalled the terror of being consumed by the Frygt's dark, swirling depths. "Lennon got me out of it," I said, my voice filled with conviction. "He's one of the innocents you speak of, Queen Saraiya. He's a good Sidhe, and he deserves enlightenment as much as anyone else."

As I spoke, I felt a surge of determination. I knew that Lennon was kind and selfless, and I was determined to prove it to these monarchs.

King Sully cleared his throat, his deep voice a welcome addition to the conversation. "Lennon is pure of heart," he said, his eyes meeting mine with a warm smile. "I can attest to his integrity."

But Queen Kyrah's scowl was immediate, her eyes flashing with annoyance as she turned to her partner. I sensed a tension between them, a subtle undercurrent that spoke of disagreements and unspoken words. Veronika, sat behind them, snickered softly, her eyes glinting with amusement.

I felt a flutter in my chest as I realized that I had unwittingly stepped into a complex web of alliances and rivalries. But I refused to back down, my conviction about Lennon's goodness burning brighter than ever.

Vienna's voice cut through the tension, her words a reminder that we were discussing more than just Lennon's character. "We need to be considering all possible outcomes," she said, her eyes narrowing as she turned to me. "Ace, I won’t deny that your enthusiasm is refreshing, but The Dread sits on a dense vortex of magic. Should we somehow figure out how to dissipate that magic, where will it go? And are we willing to risk possibly exchanging one problem for another, much bigger problem?"

I felt a shiver run down my spine as I realized the weight of her words. The magic vortex was a wild card, a unpredictable force that could have far-reaching consequences.

Queen Coral of Svadhi, spoke up, her voice measured and calm. "Vienna does have a point, Sohume also shares part of that vortex. We can't risk the magic shifting entirely to human lands. It could cause war or worse, magic imbalance. With tension already building between Southern and Northern human lands, it's all too risky.”

Cade turned to me, their silver eyes piercing. "There are a lot of things to consider, Miss Ace. Interruptions at royal meetings aren't proper Numariyan etiquette, please have Sorelle and Thadeus bring you up to speed on Sidhe royal protocol."

I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as I realized my mistake. I had spoken out of turn, and now I was being gently reprimanded.

Cade's expression softened, and they continued, "However, with that being said, we listen to our emissaries, we try to treat everyone's concerns with dignity. Wisdom can appear upon us in many unexpected forms, and there are no coincidences in Numariya. What avenues are you exploring in helping my son?"

Vienna let out a soft sigh, rubbing her temples as if the conversation was giving her a headache.

I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. I barely knew myself, let alone the magic of this land. "Well, I'm not really sure where to begin," I admitted. "I'm learning quickly, working in the library with Sorelle."

Cade nodded thoughtfully, their eyes gleaming into mine with a knowing look. "Matters of the heart can be fuel for great change. Without yet jumping to any decisions, I propose seeing if Miss Ace finds any answers in regards to The Dread’s vortex. I'll be in touch, and we can explore possibilities at a later date.” Their gaze shifted to Vienna. “Anyone not in favor?"

Vienna spoke up, her voice reluctant. "I'm not opposed to exploring options. I'm in favor as long as all risks are weighed and my warriors are taken care of."

Cade nodded, their eyes never leaving Vienna's face. "Your perspective is valid, Vienna, and I'm inclined to agree. Let's rest assured it's an issue being explored and not yet acted upon. All are in favor." The room seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief as Cade moved on. "Moving onto the subject of trade with Norhume, please submit your inventory requests as trade will be conducted in two weeks' time. Bring your warrior reports to the next meeting, we must discuss our plan of action should Sohume and Norhume go to war with each other."

Thadeus nudged me, smiling, and cleared his throat. "My apologies, but if we're no longer needed..."

Cade's voice interjected. "Dismissed. I'll be in touch about The Dread, Miss Ace."

As I stepped out of the meeting room, the weight of the conversation still lingered. I felt a sense of relief wash over me as I realized I had survived my first royal meeting. And, to my surprise, I had even managed to contribute to the conversation, my words not falling flat or sparking outrage. It was a small victory, but one I clung to nonetheless. But I knew that this was only the beginning. The meeting had been a mere skirmish, a precursor to the battles that lay ahead. I had a long way to go before I could truly help Lennon, before I could uncover the secrets of The Dread and unravel the mysteries that shrouded it. My mind began to churn, my thoughts swirling like a maelstrom. Cade's last instruction echoed in my mind, a refrain that I couldn't shake: Sohume and Norhume going to war. The words sent a shiver down my spine, a cold dread that seeped into my bones. War was a specter that haunted me, a ghostly presence that I couldn't quite grasp. I swallowed hard, my throat dry and tight. I tried to recall the memories of my life before the bridge, the fragments that I had managed to salvage. I knew I had worked with humans in poverty, helping those in need, but the details were hazy, like a painting left out in the rain. I strained my mind, trying to recall more, but there was nothing. The memories were locked away, hidden behind a door that I couldn't quite open. Frustration pricked at me, a sharp needle that poked and prodded. I wanted to remember, to recall the life I had left behind. But the memories remained elusive, taunting me with their absence. And I was left with only the faintest whispers of my past, a ghostly echo that haunted me still.