Deviant Descendants (Descendants Academy #2) - Belle Malory Page 0,62
so firm in his convictions; it’s hard to believe he would let them all go.”
“So then, his accusations were true?” I said, trying to understand. “Why would they kidnap and torture their own prince?”
“The throne is connected to the Leo bloodline. The Hollowed Council acts on command of the king. If the crown doesn’t get passed onto Xander, it all falls apart. A prince has never refused his own crown before, but Xander wasn’t raised under the Council’s indoctrination. He was born with the name Arius, with no knowledge of his inherited title.”
“The king never told him,” I said, remembering the conversation we had at the lake.
My father comes from a long line of hollows.
In a way, Xander had told me, without actually telling me. “When you used your mind magic on him, what did you make him see?”
It was a loaded question, one that Petra was hesitant to answer. She sat down, gesturing for me to do the same. “They asked me to create scenarios involving his mother and sister dying, screaming his name, calling for his help.”
I held my hand over my heart. That must have been awful, to repeatedly relive his worst nightmare.
I had hoped Petra could offer more answers than this. Sensing my frustration, Petra pulled out a chair and sat next to me. “Look, all I know is he’s back and he’s planning to pledge soon—”
“Pledge?!” I nearly shrieked. “But that means…”
It meant he would be stuck here forever.
“I have to see him,” I said, feeling the panic bubble up in my throat. I looked at Petra. “Is there any way you can get me into the Hollowed Castle?”
“Absolutely not.” Petra’s whole face tightened. “If Thomas Vane discovers your presence in the Underworld, everything we’ve done will be for nothing. If the curse doesn’t kill you, he will.”
She was probably right. Thomas Vane was my grandfather. Riley’s too. He was Petra’s father, but there was no familial bond. He was the one who cursed us, the one who wanted us dead.
The wheels in my mind turned over. “I can go in disguise,” I said, forming a plan. “Thomas will never even know I was there—”
“No.” Petra refused to budge. “The danger is too great.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but Riley, who was now paying attention to our conversation, stopped me. “Sheridan,” she said, giving me a pressing look. “Remember what we spoke about in the stables, back at Arcadia?”
I glanced at Petra, whose knuckles had turned white as she gripped the arms of her chair. Never reveal all your cards, Riley had said. This was her way of telling me it was a pointless argument. Just as Dad would never have let me come to the Underworld, Petra would never let me step one foot inside that castle.
I would have to find a way in on my own.
Trying not to give myself away, I slowly nodded in Riley’s direction but kept my gaze on Petra. “You said to stay focused on breaking the curse,” I lied.
Petra’s shoulders relaxed. “Extremely sound logic. I have to agree with your sister on this, Sheridan.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat. As much as I hated it, I didn’t bring Xander up again for the rest of the night. Because no matter what I said, it wouldn’t change Petra’s mind.
Unlike Riley, it was difficult for me to conceal my emotions. Dinner was tense. I suffered through it in silence while Riley and Petra made everyday conversation.
Once it was over and it was time to leave, we said our goodbyes and I walked Petra to the door. She gave me a pained look. “I’m sorry about Xander, Sheridan. Heartbreak can be a cruel, tormenting thing…” She sighed, obviously speaking from her own experience. “I will try to find out why he returned.”
I nodded stiffly. “Thank you.”
“I’ll see you again on Christmas,” she promised, reaching out to tuck a stray stand of hair behind my ear. “Stay safe.”
I closed the door, with no intention of obeying. Right away, I set to work. First, by getting a pencil and scrap paper. Then, I began making a list.
Riley hovered over my shoulder, reading off the items. “Rose petals, willow’s bark—dove feathers?” She furrowed her brow. “What is this, Sheridan?”
Finished, I folded it up and handed it to her. “Ingredients,” I answered. “Will you give this to Grey and ask him to retrieve the items ASAP?”
She tilted her head to the side. “Ingredients for what?”