Chapter 145 No Weakness - Adele's POV

Chapter 145 No Weakness - Adele's POV
I sucked in a breath as I stared out at the sea. Once again, there was nothing to look at. I had been here for a week, or maybe it was a little over by now. I didn’t know. The days were beginning to blur together, and I was certain that I was never leaving here.

Corwin was certain that he would marry me any day now. I hated the thought of it. 

I had denied him, telling him I would never marry him. Not willingly. He had told me I would never have a choice, but he would give me a few days to come to terms with it while he prepared everything.

He wasn’t in his room most of the day, which I was thankful for. I stole those moments to practice my magic, though I wasn’t sure it would ever amount to anything. All I ever did was spark and have them dance between my fingertips.

Suddenly, the door opened. My hand dropped to my side as I turned toward the entrance.

Two guards stood there, and Corwin wasn’t with them.

My heart immediately began to pound. "What are you doing here?"

The first guard stepped into the room. "You're coming with us."

I stared at him. "No."

His brow furrowed. “As if you have a choice.”

The words sent a chill down my spine. I had heard them before. Corwin had said almost the same thing when I told him I would never marry him.

I would never have a choice.

Apparently, that was the favorite phrase of everyone in this kingdom.

"I always have a choice."

The guard's expression hardened. "Not today."

I took a step back. "What does that mean?"

"You're coming with us,” the second one snapped.

"Where?"

He didn't answer. My eyes moved between the two of them. Neither looked particularly happy to be here, but that didn't make me feel any better.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked, my voice quiet.

"The council."

My stomach dropped. "The council?"

"Yes."

I shook my head immediately. "No."

The guard sighed as if I were being difficult, but I wasn’t. I had no intention of standing before the vampire council. I had heard enough after the last few days about them that I knew this was bad, especially without Corwin here.

"Don't make this harder than it needs to be."

"Then tell me why I'm going,” I said firmly.

"You're being summoned."

The word made my stomach twist. “Summoned? Why do they want to see me?”

The guard nodded. “The council has requested your presence.”

“Requested?” I repeated. “That sounds an awful lot like I have a choice. Corwin—”

“You don't.”

I glared at him. “You really need to learn some new words.”

The second guard stepped forward. “Adele—”

“No.” I held up my hand. “I’m not going anywhere until someone tells me why they want me.”

Neither of them answered. Of course, they didn't.

I folded my arms across my chest. “Does Corwin know?”

The two guards exchanged a look. That was all the answer I needed.

“He doesn't.”

“It isn't our place to discuss the prince,” the first guard said. “The council has some sway.”

“Convenient.”

“Come with us,” the first one demanded.

I didn't move.

The guard's jaw tightened. “Don't make us force you.”

My heart began to pound harder.

I glanced toward the door, then toward the window. There were guards outside, and it was a drop to the ground. Even if I somehow managed to get past these two, I wouldn't make it far. 

And I couldn't use my magic. Not yet.

I still didn't know what it could do, and the last thing I needed was for someone to see the sparks dancing across my fingers and realize I wasn't as powerless as everyone thought.

So I did the only thing I could. I walked toward them.

The guard stepped aside, allowing me to pass.

I kept my head high as I walked through the doorway, refusing to let them see how terrified I was. I didn't know what the council wanted with me, but I couldn't imagine it was anything good.

Especially if Corwin wasn't there.

The moment I stepped into the hallway, the guards fell into place on either side of me.

I glanced at the first one. “Am I being arrested or taken to my death?”

“No.”

“Then why are you guarding me as if I am?” I asked, my voice low.

Neither guard answered, which made me roll my eyes. Of course, they would be difficult.

They led me down a hallway I had never seen before. I had spent most of my time in Corwin's room, and when he had taken me anywhere else, it had been through the main halls of the palace.

This part of the castle felt different, darker, and quieter. The further we walked, the colder it became.

I rubbed my arms, wishing I had thought to grab a shawl before leaving. The guards didn't seem to notice or care.

"How long have you been here?" I asked.

Neither responded.

I looked between them. "Do you two ever talk other than barking out orders?”

The second guard glanced at me. "Sometimes."

I almost smiled. "Good. I was starting to wonder."

The first guard shot him a look, and he immediately looked away. I frowned. There was something strange about the way they were acting.

They were nervous. I had seen guards around Corwin before. They were always stiff and cautious, but they weren't afraid.

These two were. And whatever they were afraid of, I had a feeling it wasn't me.

We continued walking until we reached a set of enormous wooden doors. Two more guards stood on either side of them. My steps slowed as I stared at the doors ahead. 

I knew what waited for me behind them. It was the council.

And this was one time that I wished Corwin was with me. Even though I didn’t like him, I knew he didn’t want me dead.

The thought made me stop. I immediately hated myself for it.

I didn't want Corwin here. I didn't need him, but at least I knew what to expect from him.

The council was ‌unknown. And I was beginning to realize that unknown things were far more terrifying than the monsters I already knew.

"Open the doors," the first guard ordered.

One of the guards stepped forward. The doors slowly swung inward. I stared into the room beyond.

It was enormous. A long table stretched across the center, surrounded by people dressed in dark clothing. Some were men. Some were women. All of them looked at me the moment I stepped inside.

My stomach dropped. There had to be at least twenty of them. Every single pair of eyes was fixed on me.

I suddenly felt very small.

"Bring her forward."

I didn't recognize the voice. The guards grabbed my arms.

I jerked away from them. "I can walk."

They released me, and I stepped forward on my own. My heart hammered against my ribs as I made my way toward the table. I didn't look at any of them and refused to.

If Corwin had taught me anything, it was that vampires could sense weakness, and I wasn't going to give them any.