CHAPTER 7
Aria's POV
My legs were still shaking when I reached the dining chamber. My cheek still hurt faintly from the slap and my chest felt heavy like something sharp was pressed right against it and refused to move. Mia walked behind me without saying a word and the silence between us was louder than any scream.
But the moment I stepped into the large hall I knew something was wrong.
He was not there.
The long golden table stretched before me with polished plates and glistening cutlery and servants lined perfectly against the wall like statues waiting for command. But the chair at the head of the table was empty.
I tried to stay calm. Maybe he was just running late. Maybe he had been delayed. Maybe he was on his way.
I moved toward a seat near the middle because I did not know where I was allowed to sit and I had barely touched the edge of the chair when a sharp voice tore through the air like a blade.
"Don't you dare!"
I froze.
A woman rose slowly from the end of the table dressed in deep royal blue and her face though flawless held no warmth at all. Her hair was streaked with white pulled back into a tight knot that made her sharp features even colder and her eyes burned with a fire that was not kind.
Mia leaned in and whispered quickly. "That is the Grand Queen. The King's mother"
I could barely breathe.
The Grand Queen walked toward me slowly like a shadow and each step she took echoed through the room like judgment. Her presence felt heavy and cold and suffocating and I had nowhere to hide.
"You are not fit to sit here" she said and her voice was steady but cruel. "This table is for the King and for his blood. Not for some filthy little thing who has forgotten where she belongs"
My lips parted but I had no voice. Nothing came out.
She turned her head to one of the servants without even looking at me again. "She looks useless. Send her to the kitchen. Let her bring out the rest of the dishes. She should earn her food like the rest of them"
No one questioned her.
Not a single person spoke.
I nodded faintly and began to turn because I knew I had no choice and I swallowed the tears back even though they stung like poison.
But before I could take a step
The doors opened.
He walked in.
Zaine.
And everything changed.
The air shifted. The servants lowered their heads. Even the Grand Queen stiffened like she hadn't expected him to show up just yet.
His voice was calm but firm as he looked at me. "Aria. Stay"
I stopped breathing.
He moved through the room without hesitation and his expression was unreadable and quiet. He walked to the head of the table and sat down without a word and then
He looked at me.
And he tapped the chair beside him.
The one at his right side.
The seat of honor.
I stood there frozen. My legs refused to move and my heart was crashing against my chest. I could feel their eyes on me. Their judgment. Their hate. I could feel the walls watching me.
Still I began to walk.
Each step was unsteady. My palms were cold. My throat felt tight. I was just about to sit down when a voice interrupted everything.
"Oh good morning Your Majesty"
Lady Amanda.
She walked in like she had been summoned by the gods. Her lilac gown flowed around her like clouds. Her hair fell in perfect golden waves. Her skin glowed like polished glass.
Before I could reach the seat beside him she slipped in front of me and took it like it belonged to her. Her shoulder brushed mine. Soft. But intentional.
It looked like nothing.
But I felt it deep in my bones.
She leaned down and kissed Zaine on the lips. A soft delicate kiss. A show for everyone to see.
"Did you sleep well?" she whispered
My stomach twisted.
He didn't kiss her back.
She turned to the Grand Queen and smiled like nothing in the world could touch her. "Good morning Your Grace. You look radiant today"
The Queen's face softened like butter melting on warm bread. "Amanda my dear. How was your night?"
Amanda smiled and lowered her lashes. "Quiet" she said sweetly. Then her gaze flicked to mine. "Though I did wake up to some very unexpected changes"
The Queen let out a soft knowing laugh.
Amanda turned back to me. "Could you get me my tea the way I like it. You do remember don't you?"
My fingers curled at my side.
Zaine's voice came again. This time deeper. Stronger.
"Aria. I said sit"
Amanda blinked. "I am sorry what?"
Zaine turned and looked straight at her. Then at me. Then at the chair she had taken.
"Sit!" he repeated. This time the word was softer but it wasn't a request.
Amanda remained still. She tilted her head and gave a smile that didn't touch her eyes.
Zaine stood up.
He reached for my hand.
He pulled me gently to his side.
And then he said it.
"Because she isn't a servant. Her name is Aria"
Amanda stopped smiling.
The Grand Queen's expression fell flat.
Zaine looked at both of them without blinking.
"And she is my fated mate"