"Haven't we been expecting that?" Avalon asked.
"Yes, we have," Amory said thoughtfully. "But he wants to take Eden back to London with him at the end of the month, and marry her later this spring."
The weight of Amory's words hit me like a slap in the face. London? This spring? I could barely comprehend marriage in a few short months. And how would I ever be able to leave my family here and move to London? But how could I say no to the man that I loved? My heart felt ripped in two, and my stomach was on the verge of emptying itself. Nothing was easy in this world. Not having a boyfriend. Not having a family. And certainly not having a mind of my own. Whichever way I played out the scenario in my head, the end result felt simply hopeless.
Chapter Forty
"I don't understand, isn't that a good thing?" I asked Amory. I was mulling over the idea of a spring wedding in my head. Even though I felt severely unprepared, I still couldn't help but feel that a wedding to Kiran was a better alternative to civil war. I snuggled closer to Avalon, feeling more unsettled than ever.
"Yes, I think it is," Amory stared at the sparkling snow in the darkness pensively. "I am hoping that it is."
"Then what is it?" Avalon, the strategic part of his mind working hard to catch up to Amory, spoke up.
"I can't put my finger on it exactly," Amory replied carefully, "This is very uncharacteristic of Lucan. He doesn't have a history of working so.... carefully. I have watched him grow into the tyrant he is. Hell, I watched his father, and his father's father become tyrants. Lucan is effective, he is efficient, but he is not careful. And he is definitely not forgiving. Whatever his motives are for allowing this union, are purely selfish."
"But that doesn't mean they are bad for us, does it?" I asked innocently, wanting to hope for the best.
"No, you're right; it doesn't mean they are bad. Or will turn out bad. I just can't seem to shake.... this feeling," Amory lifted his head and looked me directly in the eyes. His black, onyx eyes seemed to be endless, filled with depth and love, and I could hardly look at him without bursting into tears.
"Kiran wouldn't let him do anything bad," I shook my head, wanting to reassure my grandfather. "He will protect me. I trust him," I whispered and then threw my arms around Amory's neck, feeling like a small child that needed comforting.
"I know that, dear," he said quietly. "He will protect you, I know that."
I sat back and wiped my eyes. Everything was going to be Ok. We were just in uncharted territory, and nobody really knew what to do. It was natural to have doubts.
"Besides when I'm Queen I can settle everything diplomatically. There won't be any need for a war or more fighting or whatever," I folded my arms proudly.
"Oh really? You're just going to change all the laws, make everyone equal, and just order every one not to be racist anymore?" Avalon rolled his eyes at me.
"Yes," I said simply. "What else am I going to do? I can't be Queen of a Kingdom where people are oppressed. This isn't just about me; I get that. I mean, yes, I get what I want too, but the whole position of leadership, place of influence, like that's my calling, and I get that. This is the end of it all, Avalon. You don't have to fight because I'm going to change it all." I finished passionately and leaned my head against his shoulder. I had been holding these feelings in for way too long, it was time I said them out loud and put pressure behind my ideals.
"That sounds wonderful, Sis, but I'm just not sure it's possible," Avalon replied quietly.
"It's possible, Avalon," Amory interrupted. "It has to be. And if not Eden, then you will be the one to save your people. You two are the hope for this Kingdom. The only hope for survival we have left. And if you fail, so will your people."
Avalon and I didn't respond. We couldn't respond. There was nothing to say; we felt the truth of Amory's words as deeply as we felt our magic and had long ago accepted our fate.
"I need you two to listen to me," Amory began again, and I physically felt the gravity of his words grip my heart, "The Crown belongs to you, both of you. You are the rightful heirs to the Monarchy and I believe with all of my heart that you are capable of commanding the Titans. If things with Eden and Kiran fail...." He paused for a moment and I took the opportunity to chime in. "They won't," I interjected.
Amory held his hand up, stopping me, "Eden, until you appeared, continuing the Kendrick line has never been a possibility. You are the only thing stopping me from ending the entire existence of that family; that needs to be clear. We need to have a conversation about every possibility. I am not going to be around forever. You two hold the key to salvation for our people; you will be the ones to carry the torch. Listen to me."
I wanted to argue. I wanted to remind him that he already had been around forever and that he wasn't going anywhere. I wanted to cover my ears and run away, unbelieving there could ever be a different possibility that didn't involve Amory; but I kept my mouth shut. I decided for his sake I would listen, I wouldn't take him seriously, but I would listen.
"Since the Titans signed the blood oath to the Monarchy, the people, including me, have always believed the oath was made to the Kendricks," Amory continued, "But events in recent years have suggested that maybe that isn't the truth."
"Like what?" Avalon asked, anxious for more information.
"Well, starting with your grandfather. Barrick, your grandfather on your father's side was a Titan. What no one knew until your grandmother's famous betrayal was that Celia was not a Titan; she was a Shape-Shifter. They married in secret. This was a direct violation to the Monarchy and Barrick knew that; yet he didn't die until after your parents disappeared. What I'm saying, is that if the oath was made to the Monarchy, then it should have been binding; he should have died immediately. Then, your father Justice also betrayed the Crown and ran away with your mother. He also should have died; yet here you two are. Furthermore, you both possess the Titan bloodline, but especially Avalon, who holds no reverence for the Crown. Finally, and this is the last piece of the puzzle, but also just a theory, the other Titans you two have gone up against, have all fallen at your hands. I believe this has something to do with your twin connection and your solid Immortality; but another hunch I have formed recently is that their allegiance was made to our bloodline, not the Kendricks."
"But what about the three guards that got away, at the mall?" I asked, trying to put all of the pieces together.