Chapter 409: Challenge Vandelarius
Holy.
It's not like I didn't expect some grand announcement from her, but no way was I expecting this. At least, not now. Me? Second Seat? But-
We knew she was planning something, Sassy sent, mind like a whip, breaking me out of my gaping stare and stunned freeze. I warned you she might try something like this. You have to turn her down.
Easier said than done.
Still.
"I'm not next in line." As if I wished this on Dad. He stood there in silence, eyes locked on me, though he looked more sad now than angry.
"I call on you to challenge," Grandmother said. "If you are able to defeat Vandelarius, you claim Second Seat."
So much for that argument. Not much of one anyway. It was Dad or me. And neither of us wanted the job.
"No." It was the best I could muster, but from the scowl on her face I knew my best wasn't good enough so I tried again. "I am a coven leader, daughter of another plane." That was better. Get a grip, Syd. "My duty lies elsewhere. I can't take the throne."
Grandmother's magic lashed around me, but didn't touch me, sending more of the family fleeing in fear of her. They were all afraid of her, all of them. Except Dad. And, as it turned out, while I stood there and felt her power push me around, me.
"I'm a free soul," I said, keeping my voice level though I wanted to show her she had no hold on me. "I choose, I decide. And I will not be bullied."
Grandmother roared, the shields holding back the outside world rippling, a breeze breaking through the vast bubbled dome surrounding the top of the mountain. She stomped one step toward me, hands reaching for me, but I blocked her with my power, Meira's fed into mine, joined by Sass and, with a surge of rage that shocked me, Dad.
She backed off then, but her anger was still as powerful, the air thick with it.
"You have run roughshod over our laws," Grandmother boomed, "but no longer. You must challenge Vandelarius and, if you defeat him, his Seat is yours. You have no choice."
Why me? I sent it quickly to Sass and Dad.
Cypherion was his heir, Dad sent back while Sassy hummed his unhappiness. Because it was Vandelarius who ordered your death and you defeated his heir, you must now fight his father.
And if I say no for real? I shuddered at the press of Grandmother's power, not from fear but the sheer energy of it. I can't, can I?
You'll be stripped, Sassy said sadly, for disobeying the Ruler's order and your power given to Vandelarius. He will then remain as Second Seat.
Well, that was freaking stupid. Even though he wants to kill Grandmother?
I didn't make the law. Sassy grunted like the truth hurt.
Dad, I sent, desperation clutching at my heart as the truth hit me. I couldn't stay here, couldn't be trapped on a throne. I had to go home, had to keep trying, no matter what it took. There has to be another way.
Dad's power hugged me close. There is, he sent. And if I hadn't been so selfish for so many centuries, this would never have happened. His amber eyes locked on mine, a sweet smile on his face. But I will never regret any of it. I love you, Syd.
Before I could stop him from doing what I knew he was doing, all the while feeling like he was somehow saying goodbye, Dad turned to his mother, power surging. He rose, body growing as hers had, like he'd done at Mom's trial, until he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Grandmother, family scrambling from underfoot, Dad's power snapping and crackling around him in surges of amber lightning.
"This has gone far enough," Dad roared. "You've finally won, old woman. Are you happy?"
Grandmother stilled, the surge of her magic pulling tightly to her. "Declare your intentions, Haralthazar."
"You've orchestrated this whole mess," he threw his words at her with power behind them, ricocheting from her shielding, but she did nothing to stop him. Vandelarius skittered away from them, finally regaining his feet, staring up at Dad in absolute hate. "You've always wanted me in Second Seat. All the lies and deceit and trickery, really, Mother. Just to have me finally where you want me." Dad's voice eased back to a low rumble. "I've never wanted this. And yet, you refuse to leave me be. But as much as I can tolerate you manipulating me at every turn, I won't allow you to use my daughters any longer. Nor will I let you force my child into ruling beside you."
Grandmother simply stared at him. "Declare yourself," she repeated, a smile growing on her face, grim and self-righteous.
Dad turned to the fallen Second Ruler, drawing his power around him. "Vandelarius," my father cried in a voice that shook the mountain, "I challenge you!"
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