AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I didn’t need an answer to that question. No, I wasn’t stupid. I saw through to what Selene was doing. She knew that if Alex and I worked together, we’d be working together to keep thebitch right where she was. The plan was always to free my mom, and only my mom. With a strong powerful ally like Alex by my side, we might succeed, and she couldn’t have that.
It was the same reason she turned into a vicious, screeching harridan the last few days. She wanted me stressed, exhausted, weak, and isolated. The wretched mess I’ve been wouldn’t be in any state to fight her when I finally got inside the prison.
Selene was not going to let me talk to Alex, but cutting curses out of his fucking arm was not going to happen. What could I do?
“Did you hear what happened last night?”
I snapped out of it, focus returning to my friends and my breakfast.
“Alexander told off his father, then Sirena destroyed the contact, flooded the room with feathers, and both of them disappeared in the chaos,” Theron continued. “Mother thought it was hilarious. She could barely get out a goodbye this morning, she was laughing so hard, she couldn’t breathe.”
That pricked my interest. “Your mom thought it was funny? Did everyone think that? Is everyone laughing about it?”
Nitsa snorted. “I doubt Lia Cirillo and Maximos Damien are laughing. The only reason Theron’s mom is is because she openly despises those two. Watching those two be humiliated by their children was the highlight of her year.”
Theron dipped his head. “Exactly.”
“But it wasn’t really humiliating, was it?” Daciana asked. “From all the whispers I’m hearing, it wasn’t personal or anything, and they didn’t spit in their faces or curse them out. They just don’t want an arranged marriage.”
“In Olympia, the council tells us what we want,” Tycho said. “They tell us how to think, when to fight, and who we’re allowed to love.” His fist balled around his fork. “Their own children rebelling against them in a room full of everyone in Olympiawho matters...?” He whistled, shaking his head. “I’m only sad I missed such a historic event.”
I shrunk back, hiding behind Daciana as much as her slender figure would let me. Alex passed it off like it was no big deal, and he and his father would have a chat and it would all be fine. Did he just say that to reassure me? What would his father do to him?
I looked in that man’s eyes and it was as clear as the chill that pierced my soul... Maximos Damien was capable of anything.
“What do you think is going to happen to them?” My small voice turned the table toward me. “Will they be punished?”
Theron shook his head, reigniting my hope. “They won’t be punished, Aella, they’ll be married.”
My smile dimmed.
“No matter how much they kick, scream, fight, beg, or rebel. Their names will be on a new marriage contract someday sooner rather than later,” he said. “I’m sorry. I really am, but the council’s word is absolute. Their decisions are final. If they say Alexander and Sirena are to be married, they will be married.
“The only question is how brutally their parents will punish their secret lovers before they’re forced to give in.” He gave me a look. “A much more effective tactic than punishing their children.”
“But—”
Tycho, Nitsa, and Ionna nodded along with him. They agreed with every word.
“It’s a good thing no one knows who you are,” Theron finished, dropping his voice. “As romantic as it is to have the person you love blow up their world to run away with you, you’re the last person I’d want to be right now.”
I forced a laugh. “Let’s talk about something else. Ionna, what is—?”
Ionna’s head snapped up. “Guys, look.”
The mess hall was put back the way it was. Titans eating in a culinary paradise, imperial heirs lording it from on high, and us Sisypheans eating our cold, buffet food in our bland, sunken eating area. We all had our place again... which was why Alex had no business descending the stairs, and walking right toward me.
My breath caught. My love looked perfectly fine. Whole and wonderful even though I knew he’d had the conversation with his father that morning. Did it go well? Did Maximos give his blessing?
Planting his feet before our table, Alex beamed into my friends’ wide eyes and gaping mouths. “May I join you?”
“What?” Tycho rasped. “Oh—oh, yes, of course.”
Alex plopped down right next to me, throwing his arm around my shoulder. Turning my chin, he planted one right on my lips—capturing my gasp.
We broke apart to complete and total silence in the mess hall. Every eye was on us. Half the Titans got out of their seats to stare.
“Are you okay?” I whispered. “What happened with your dad?”
