Mom grasps Octavia’s arm. “You’ve been acting strangely since Maxon was taken. Where is Connor? What aren’t you telling me?”
I know my mother, and she’s moved on from rapid-fire questions as a way of dealing with her stress. Instead, she’s now trolling for a nice verbal battle to help release the tension, and Octavia just served her one on a silver platter. At this point, it’s everything I can do to stay in warrior-mode and focus on helping Maxon. Dealing with crazy mothers is off the table.
Walker and Cissy get into the act, with Cissy backing up Mom and Walker coming to Octavia’s defense. This is turning into a disaster.
Dad steps into the center of the room and raises both arms. “Everyone, quiet!” He gets his archangel on, so his huge golden wings magically appear, spread apart at their full length. Everyone falls silent. Dad scans the room with glowing, angel-blue eyes.
As of this moment, I have never been happier in my life that I have a badass archangel general for a father.
“This is what we’re going to do,” orders Dad. “While the kids are getting more information from Hildy, we’ll work together and call a Fealty Ceremony.”
One thing you have to say about the thrax; they have a tradition for everything. When the King and Queen are in trouble, they call a Fealty Ceremony. It’s where everyone who has ever sworn an oath of loyalty to the crown comes forward and says what they can do to help. It can be more information, spells, troops, anything.
“Only the crown can call a Fealty Ceremony,” says Lincoln slowly.
“Then, do you wish one?”
Lincoln turns to me. “What do you say, Myla?”
I scratch my cheek and contemplate. Who knows? Maybe someone in our realms will have a quick fix for this mess. “Hey, I’m up for anything that could help.”
“In that case,” says Lincoln. “We’ll hold the ceremony for one purpose only: to gather information, not organize troops. Myla and I haven’t decided on any particular course of action going forward.”
My father frowns. “I should think it’s pretty obvious how all this will end.”
“You think we’re going to war,” I say.
“I know we’re going to war,” retorts Dad. “Still, the fealty ceremony is a good start.”
“Thanks, Dad.” I think.
My father starts barking out orders. Cissy and Mom must gather representatives from Purgatory for the ceremony. Walker will coordinate hosting the ceremony in the Dark Lands, since it will be faster to gather everyone there. Walker will also organize his Aquilinean brothers and sisters to provide portal transport.
Once the plan is set, Dad pulls us all into a huddle, summarizes orders, and sends everyone off on their respective tasks. Lincoln and I head to the Infirmary to see Hildy. As we walk along, I can’t keep the image of my father’s face out of my mind. “Is it just me, or—”
Lincoln finishes my thought. “Is your father railroading us into something?”
I nod slowly. “That’s exactly it. You remember when we first talked to him in the gymnasium. Armageddon tortured him in Hell, tried to kill his daughter and succeeded in kidnapping his grandson. I think he’s ready for a showdown.”
“But are we?”
“I don’t know, Lincoln. I honestly don’t know.”
Chapter Ten
Lincoln and I step through the main doors to the emergency infirmary at Arx Hall. The effect of our unannounced visit is only slightly less chaotic than setting off a small explosive. People start rushing about, tidying beds and finding superiors. The place is a snug, square, high-ceilinged chamber covered in white tile. Rows of small cots line the floor. Silver doors mark the back wall; those lead to private rooms for nobility.
A young, red-haired nurse in a white uniform steps up to see us, a wide smile on her freckled cheeks. She can’t miss the fact that we’re the King and Queen. Hopefully she hasn’t heard the news that we just lost our son, because otherwise, I may need to slap the chipper right off her face.
“Greetings, Your Highnesses. I’m Nurse Emily. Who are you here to see?”
“Hildegard,” says Lincoln.
“What house?”
“None.”
“Oh, then she’s over by the wall somewhere.”
I scan the infirmary. The place seems relatively empty of patients. The attendees at the Anointing were more scared than hurt. Anyone with a serious injury got emergency care here and then was routed to the main infirmary about a mile away. I’m still not sure how Hildy stayed around, let alone how she ended up outside of a private room.
“She’s over by the wall?” I repeat slowly. This better be where the luxury beds are. “Show us.”
If Emily catches the ice in my tone, she doesn’t show it. “Please follow me, Your Highnesses.”