Chapter 66

I expected that after the naming. I would be away on a trip with Ryker enjoying some quality time with my family but instead, I was being roped into a meeting with the elders to figure out what we were to do about Frederick. In all honesty, I didn’t care about him or his claim but the elders seemed genuinely worried. I only had time to nurse Aurora and put her to sleep before I was out.

The elders were frantic when I got to the council room. Ryker was already there seated at his usual spot next to mine. When I walked into the room, they all fell silent and I ignored them as I made my way over to the chair. I had barely sat down. before the first one spoke.

“The boy has a right to the throne,” he began and I raised a brow in his direction. He understood what that look meant because he swallowed. “What I meant to say was that if he truly is your father’s son then he has a claim and he can contest

for it.”

“What does the law say?” I asked and everyone turned to me in confusion. “What does the law say about heirs and the throne? There has to be something that talks about the child being a descendant of both people on the throne. Doesn’t anyone read the law?”

I knew I shouldn’t be snapping at them but I was frustrated. I wanted to be with my mate and my children instead of being stuck in a meeting with six sniveling adults who could not care less if I were to live or die as long as they regained their position as the elders. They mumbled between themselves and I knew they were trying to remember.

1 felt Ryker place a hand on my thigh and I turned to him. He was looking at me with concern but I shook my head to let him know that I was okay. I could tell that he didn’t believe me but he knew better than to push where we were so instead, he lounged back in his seat and watched the entire scene unfold. He rarely spoke during council meetings and I made a me ntal note to ask why.

“We will have to check in on that, your majesty,” one of the elders said finally and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. “It does not change the fact however that the news has gotten to the towns and people have varying responses to it.”

“What are you talking about?”

“News travels fast in this kingdom and people are beginning to question the validity of your claim to the throne. You are younger than him and he is-” he trailed off but I knew exactly what he wanted to say.

“Is this because he is male?” I asked and they all stayed silent. “What do you think?”“I think that you are Queen and nothing else matters.”

Translation: He wouldn’t speak against me for fear of his life but that didn’t mean that he supported me.

I resisted the urge to scream. After all it had taken me to get here, I was going to get overthrown because of something a stu pid as this and I couldn’t even count on the elders to defend me because everyone had their own hidden agendas.

“Thank you all for coming but this meeting is over,” I declared and they all looked between themselves in confusion “When you leave, find out what the law says and I need access to my father’s thungs.copy right hot novel pub