Chapter forty seven (3)❤

Denys found it impossible to concentrate on brunch when his mother had the look of a serial killer masked on. He wondered if it had something to do with Talia; It probably had something to do with her. She was the only person that seemed to pull at his mother's strings even at the simplest offense.

  Seated in the middle of the great table where an elaborate feast had been arranged, The Prince fought the worst case of nerves he had ever experienced. One being because his mother's mood was going to plunge further down the abyss once Yemoja stepped inside the room and the second was because of her son. Something about him made Denys feel uneasy. It felt almost like he knew he was going to win and the crippling realization that it might actually come to pass made Denys frightened to the bone.

  So this was the war his father had countlessly tried to warn him about. He never suspected it would be the subtle plotting of wicked minds. Posiedon never made that part clear enough. This wasn't brute force. This was more complicated, confusing, and dangerous.

He tried to focus on the purpose of the brunch as he waited for the guests but something about his mother's mood told him the purpose of the brunch was going to go down the drains and that would suck considering it was her idea to make peace with the opposing Kingdom even if that meant coming to a shaky arrangement. In the end, Denys chose to speak out.

"You look pissed mother, What seems to be the problem?"

Persephone glanced his way, attempting to say something right before a great cry announced the arrival of their guests.

  Queen Yemoja stepped in all smiles with her son. The one who he desired to asks the lingering question that scorched through his soul. How dare he call him brother? But again, this was a complicated, dangerous and delicate matter. If they were to stand the test of time, Denys had to be the symbol of peace. Well...that was until He noticed the date the Western Prince had brought along with him.

Talia.

A scowl drew his eyebrows together.

  He had not expected her to arrive with that wretched demigod touching her though, gazing at her with possessive eyes that had implied he desired her. He had seen it before. The day they officially set eyes on each other but this seemed to make his blood boil hot.  Talia seemed unaware of his lingering stares and probably only walked in with him out of curtsey but that did not stop Denys from wanting to wrench his head from his body.

"She invited the demigod. Perfect." Persephone said, her scowl knitting her dark brown eyebrows and making her golden eyes shimmer like rust.

  The hate she seemed to garner from the sight of Yemoja informed Denys that it wasn't a 'Talia problem' for the first time. This had something to do with Yemoja and it wasn't just her that had bad blood with the Westerner. Denys had seen himself as the bridge but seeing his golden-eyed succubus and that bastard demigod together only darkened his mood. He wanted to kill the damn Westerner. Denys curled his fingers into fists, tightening them until his fingers bit into his palms.

They took their seats, with Yemoja sitting opposite Persephone and Oba sitting uncomfortably next to Talia. Talia sent him a smile when she noticed him staring but the Prince was too busy thinking of all the beautiful ways to butcher to Western Prince that he could barely return her sweetness.

  As soon as the invitees were seated, A servant began to dish out the food. The appetizer was a mouth savoring dish of charred broccoli with shishito peppers and pickled onions. A delicacy originally from the first realm that Persephone had grown to love.

"I learned the Northern Queen eats fish, How true is that?" Yemoja commented, chomping down her food.

"Actually yes, I believe in equilibrium so there is absolutely nothing wrong with killing and eating them." Persephone retorted, giving Yemoja a deadly glare.

"Equilibrium..." The Queen of the west pondered. "I'd say, this is the first time we agree on something. There should be a balance. Life and death. Peace and chaos."

Denys sensed the shade. Her last sentence was aimed at Talia's prophecy and how his mother was preventing it. He noticed vines beginning to crawl in from outside the window; his mother's doing and he knew it was bound to be an all-out conflict if he did not intervene.

"I understand your grievances towards my mother's taste but we didn't orchestrate this brunch to fiddle about food. We have to  talk about the future of this realm."

"Yes. The future of this realm. Something we don't even have to banter about. All that needs to be done is for the trident to be lifted. If you cannot lift it, maybe that is destiny's way of saying the trident is not an heirloom. If your mother wasn't so selfish, she would not halt the purification of this realm for Mareel to hit just to increase your chances of being worthy." Yemoja then faced Persephone, shoving another spoonful of food in her mouth "But Mareel is upon us now and the truth will be painfully clear soon."

  Denys shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Yemoja's word stung. He hadn't thought he had it in him but he wanted to smite the goddess. Shock rippled through him when he realized why. Ade had his hands on Talia's as if he was comforting her. It lifted when she withdrew from the Western Prince's touch once she noticed the sight made him deeply uncomfortable. Denys had invited her to clear her mind off things but the brunch was slowly becoming a battleground on its own and Denys feared Talia would soon be dragged into it.

"I side with you, Queen Persephone. Our focus should be on the bright future of the second realm which is why irrespective of who wields the trident, both kingdoms win."

"So we think alike. It's your mother that is the problem."

Then and there Persephone had enough. The metal spoon in her hands cracked into a twig and snapped in half. "That is a high and mighty thing to say Yemoja. Considering you tried eliminating the entire Kingdom last night?"

Denys' eyes widened. Impossible, Could Yemoja have been responsible? His mother seemed to be certain she was. The atmosphere and the sudden revelation sent his tongue to a twist. Despite it all, Yemoja's son stayed silent.

"And I will say it again. It wasn't me. I'm not the kind of person that would put people's lives at risk even if they are not my people. Not that you would understand that. You baited Poseidon for years, made sure he died so you could live, made a mess of his kingdom while continuing to hide the truth from us. The rampages of the sea killing fishermen, the wrecking ships, and the pollution never for once bothered you because that is just who you are."

"I did what I did because I thought it was for the best." Persephone refused to be painted the monster. Not by the wolf herself.

"Then what about her?" Yemoja queried, pointing a finger at Talia whose demeanor suggested she wished the earth would open up and take her whole. "Did rip her away from her home, from her mother because it was for the best?"

Both mother and son felt tremors surge through them when Yemoja carelessly threw the hard truth in their faces. The Queen of the West was an enigma and there was no telling which direction she was playing at. So much for a peace brunch.  Persephone seemed tongue-tied. Yemoja had her where she wanted her and any word Persephone spewed next could be disastrous.

"Or was it to prove something? She would be dead if Zeus had not intervened and despite the damning curse on her head, you let her stay here to prove a point. To prove you are a god? But the truth is, Persephone, you are just Kronos powerless daughter. Being an honorary god doesn't make you any more than what you already are."

Talia jumped to her feet suddenly, causing the glass of fine wine in front of her to clatter.

"I...have to go." She muttered before half running towards the door.

"Talia!" Denys called, attempting to run after her but he was held back by his mother.

"We have to finish this." She whispered.

Denys wished he had it in him to just let it go but seeing the sheer layers of red part as she cried her way to the door hurt him more than anything.

"I can't mother." He protested.

"War is based on deception Denys. They hold out bait to entice the enemy, feign disorder right before they crush them." Persephone whispered, refusing to let go of Denys' hand. "This is all part of her elaborate plot. Don't you fall for it!"

It took that much to stop Denys. His gaze went to the Western Prince. The deceiver's golden eyes met his and a wicked smile rising unto his lips.

"Excuse me." Ade curtseyed, gingerly striding outside.

***
Talia stormed out of the dining hall, needing space to rein in his anger, frustration, and a much-needed change of clothes. She wiped and pace She growled as she ran along the torch-lit corridor towards her chambers. She was sick of it all. Life was chaotic as it was already and the thought of being everyone's pawn made Talia sick to the stomach. Thoughts of her father's sudden arrival and Yemoja's conviction dragged her back towards the inferno. She ached with the need to unleash her anger on something. Anything at all.

  She reached the room and barged through the newly installed coral door, slamming it shut behind her. She paced from one side of her four-poster bed to the other, her gaze locked on the open window as she contemplated running. She had tried that once. She had run in the dead of the night to the path and tried to walk through the wall of water not caring if crossing through meant death for her in the deep. She could be killed by the monster of the deep or drown but it was by her own accord. There was a certain high in control. Being in control of her own life. Talia wondered if she could cross through now that she was stronger. Her god genes were now in gear, there was a chance she could cross the barrier. On second thoughts, Talia knew that brash act would only fulfill Persephone's wishes. It made her snarl and tear away at her how ruining the zipper. They wouldn’t go away. Her demons wouldn't let her be. All she wanted was to see her mother's face for the second time. All she had dreamed of was to help a little human girl grow strong.  All she ever desired was a simple life but certain things were out of her control and in the end, she did not have a say in how her own life was to be run, She was on the brink of losing everything.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

Solomon, no doubt. He was the only one who seemed to want to be close to her at her worst. Talia figured she needed to thank him for saving her. She had been an ungrateful bitch crying about her own problems and not minding the sacrifices of the only friend she had. At least, that she could control.

Talia stopped at the door and yanked it open, forcing out a smile for his sake but alas it wasn't him.

Her gaze lingered on the tall glass of caramel.

A frown crowned her lips.

Ade.

"What do you want?" Talia demanded, turning aggressive.

His determined expression faltered and He looked uncertain, as if he had forgotten why he had come for her.

"I was worried." He answered. "You seemed upset when you stormed out of the halls.

"Upset?" Talia sent on the brink of losing her self control. "I'm fine as you can see. Thank you and goodbye."

He didn't go. He stood there like a goddamn wood and watched her break.

"My mother wasn't trying to get at you there." He said, his golden-yellow eyes falling on to the brassiere peeking out of her dress. "She was fighting for you. I hope you understand."

"No," Talia retorted. "I do not understand and I do not want to. I am done! I am done being the pawn. I will not be used to achieve whatever you or your mother are trying to get. I just want a life where I don't have to be manipulated by my own father, lied to, and afraid for my own life so If you are done trying to get me to believe you are some sincere kind demigod who understands me, You are fucking wrong. Today, I have learned the hard way that no one can save me. Only I have that power."

"Does that apply to the Northern Prince?"

"What is that supposed to mean?" Talia inquired.

"You seem to trust him a lot despite knowing he is an enemy's son or is that just a fluke?"

"He is different from his mother." Talia spat.

Ade cleared his throat and inched his eyes back up at hers. "Then why is he hiding such a vital truth from you?"

His retort surprised Talia. Was this some sort of ruse to get her to trust him? She hated to admit it but it was working. She has suspected that Denys was hiding something from her but she had read his mind. His dark secrets and fears didn't involve her. Yet, she still suspected something was amiss.

"And what vital truth is that?"

"Well, if he is so different from his mother. He should tell you. You already have an idea of why you are stuck here but that isn't all. If he dares, let him tell you about the dark destiny you are to herald to this world."

Confusion flickered across her pretty face. She had more questions but when she looked up, he was leaving.

"Wait," She protested.

He stood still and silent for a few seconds before sending Talia a mischievous smirk.

"Save yourself, Talia."