"You are all dismissed," Orionn said.
The advisers and council members rose at once, filing out of the office in tense silence. The heavy doors shut behind them, leaving only Orionn, Damon, and Nathan in the chamber.
The air felt thick.
Orionn turned slowly, his gaze settling on Damon. "Report."
Damon straightened. "The Mermaid Kingdom has been experiencing repeated attacks from rogues—rogues from all three kingdoms. Why they've gathered there is still unclear. But this isn't random." His jaw tightened. "Rogues don't usually have intent. These ones do. They move with purpose. Strategy."
Nathan frowned. "Which means someone is guiding them."
Damon nodded. "That's our conclusion."
He paused, then continued, "I also carry a message from Queen Ophelia. She insists that you address the growing suspicion and unrest among the people. As the head of the three kingdoms, silence is already breeding fear."
Nathan exhaled slowly. "Rogues have always hidden in the shadows. Why surface now?"
"Something is definitely happening," Damon replied.
Nathan turned to Orionn. "So what do we do?"
Orionn had been silent the entire time.
He let the parchment in his hand fall onto the desk.
"A tournament," he said.
Both men looked at him.
"A tournament?" Nathan repeated.
"Yes," Orionn said calmly. "A distraction.
Something grand and large scale to occupy the people while we quietly mobilize our forces and uncover who's pulling the strings."
Damon considered it, then shrugged. "It could work."
I'm guessing this tournament will involve all kingdoms, Nathan stated.
It will orionn replied
"Send invitations to the King of the Fae and the Mermaid Queen," Orionn continued. "Have them prepare their strongest young prodigies. We'll also hold a meeting to address the rogue threat and set a date for the tournament ".
Nathan nodded. "I'll see to it."
"I guess we have work to do," Damon said, already turning toward the door.
As he stepped into the corridor, he nearly collided with Melody, who was just about to enter the office.
"My queen," Damon greeted.
"I guess you're done with the library?" he added.
"Yes," Melody replied. "And thank you for earlier." She hesitated, then added, "You can call me Melody."
Damon smiled. "That I can do. I'll see you around."
She watched him walk away, then squared her shoulders and stepped into the office.
Orionn looked up as she entered.
He could smell her before she walked in—warm, faintly floral, unmistakably fae. Her dark hair was tied into a messy bun, loose strands framing her face. She looked… softer than she had any right to.
"I'm busy," he said the moment she drew closer.
Her blood spiked instantly. He felt it through the bond.
Angry.
"Then I'll leave you to it," Nathan said quickly, rising to his feet. He nodded at Melody and slipped out of the room.
Melody crossed her arms. "I can see that."
She took a seat opposite Orionn's desk. "You could have at least asked about my day. Like a normal couple."
"We are not a normal couple, fairy princess," Orionn replied coolly. "And I know exactly what you've been doing all day."
"Oh?" she asked, arching a brow. "Do you?"
He nodded once and picked up another report, clearly dismissing her.
"Do you know you're egotistical, rude, cold—and every other terrible thing imaginable?" Melody snapped.
"You have a lot to say about me," Orionn said without looking up, "for someone who met me yesterday."
"I'm a great judge of character," she shot back.
"Hm," he murmured. "I suppose you are."
Her jaw clenched.
"What do you want?" he asked finally.
She leaned back in her chair. "I want to learn how to fight."
That got his attention.
"Fight?" Orionn looked at her fully now. "Why?"
"Why?" she echoed incredulously. "I'm surrounded by wolves, and you're asking why?"
"No one will touch you," he said firmly. "You're the queen."
"In name only," Melody replied.
She met his gaze head-on. "Your people don't want me. And I'm not naïve enough to believe a title will protect me forever."
Silence stretched.
"No one will touch you," Orionn repeated, his voice absolute. "But if you insist, I can have a fae brought here to help you master your powers."
"And combat," she added. "I want to learn how to use weapons."
A low growl rumbled from his chest. "I'll appoint someone."
"I want Nathan and Damon."
His eyes narrowed. "They're busy. And they're not here to babysit you."
"Then you," Melody said smoothly.
One dark brow lifted. Amused.
What made her think he would agree to tutor her?
"I don't have time for that, I'm more busier"
"Then it's settled," she said confidently. "Nathan and Damon are my trainers."
"I didn't agree to that," Orionn replied.
"You will."
Her certainty unsettled him.
As she rose to her feet, he watched her carefully.
The confidence in her voice unsettled him more than he cared to admit.
Interesting.
Far more interesting than he'd thought.