Dust within ancient walls Miles Brooks 31

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

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CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

Talia’s POV

A sharp knock rattled my door. I groaned as I opened my eyes. I had finally gotten to sleep a few hours ago. I laid my head back down on my pillow, hoping whoever was knocking would go away.

Then, there were another couple of knocks. Before I could sit up, the door creaked open and Della stepped in, holding a steaming cup of tea. She quickly closed the door behind her.

“Get up,” she said, “You’re not going to like what I’m going to tell you.’

I yawned and stretched taking the teacup from her. “Oh man, what is it now?”

She took a breath and blurted out, “Your father’s allowing Alpha Nolan to stay right here in the eastern guest wing. That’s right down the hall from you.”

I nearly dropped the teacup, the tea spilling out on the floor. “You’re joking.”

Della shook her head. “I wish I were. The order went out at dawn. The staff has already prepared the rooms.”

I stood quickly as the anxiety began building in my chest. “He barely hid his disdain at the banquet! Now he’s allowed to stay here like he owns the place? And Father allowed this?!”

“Breathe. Calm down,” Della said. “I’m sure your father had a good reason for doing this.”

“How? He put Nolan in the wing near me!” I exclaimed. I went to my dresser and began to pull out clothes to get dressed.

“Talia, what are you doing?”

“I am getting dressed to find out what this really good reason was,” I said. I began walking towards the door when Della stepped in front of me.

“Come on, Talia. Just take a moment to calm down,” Della reasoned, leading me back to sit on the edge of my bed.

“Your father is still the Alpha King and you are the Princess. You can’t just barge in and throw a tantrum.” Della argued.

“Am I supposed to just go along with this?” I asked. “I am supposed to be taking over with Solon. This is something he should’ve discussed with us first.”

“I know, but you two aren’t in control yet,” Della replied. “If you insist on going, go with a plan. I doubt you’ll be able to convince him to make Nolan leave, so ask for conditions on Nolan’s stay.”

“Noted,” I said, standing and running past her.

“Talia…”

I didn’t hear her finish as I was already marching toward the council wing. My face was flushed from the fury I felt. I could hear Father and Solon arguing in my father’s office before I reached the doors.

“You should never have let him stay, Father,” Solon said, pacing, “His excuse about rogues is bullshit and you know it. Our patrols haven’t missed a single breach.”

Father sat at the desk, arms crossed. “Are you questioning my decision, Solon?”

Solon didn’t shrink back at my father flexing his Alpha aura. “I question the decision of letting a volatile Alpha

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

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with a known grudge stay on royal grounds,” Solon snapped. “Talia’s room is right down the hall from him.”

“He won’t hurt her,” father said.

I stepped into the doorway. “How can you possibly know that, Father?” Both men turned to look at me.

“Talia, I am having a discussion with Solon,” my father said.

“A discussion that I should have been included in if I am to rule beside Solon,” I countered.

Father’s eyes narrowed. “It seems you are also questioning my command.”

“We all know Nolan’s reason for being here isn’t 100% true,” I argued. “He could use me to get to you.’

The air in the room became heavy. My father did not flare his aura; he didn’t have to. The way he could tear you apart with his eyes was scary enough that he didn’t need to use his Alpha command.

“Nolan wouldn’t do that and he hasn’t made any threats,” my father stated firmly.

“His very presence here is a threat,” I replied, my voice edged with unease. “He has no respect for our authority.”

Father’s expression darkened. “I have no reason to believe Nolan is here to challenge me or is a threat to any of us.”

“You also don’t have a reason to trust him this much,” I countered with a sigh. “I don’t think I am asking for too much when I want to understand why you’re allowing him so much grace.”

“Because keeping him close is better than letting him prowl the borders unchecked,” my father finally said. “He agreed to be civil and I will believe him. As long as he follows our rules, there will be no issues.”

“And if he doesn’t follow our rules?” Solon asked.

“I will handle him,” Father answered.

“That is not enough,” I said.

Both men stared at me in surprise. “What did you say?” my father asked.

“It’s not enough,” I repeated, meeting his gaze. If he wanted me to rule alongside Solon, I couldn’t cower and be afraid of voicing my opinion.

“And what would you have me do?” my father asked, his voice low.

“Set conditions,” I replied. “Guards in the corridor. No movement after a set hour. No walking unescorted in private wings…”

“He is not our prisoner, Talia,” my father interrupted. “and we will not treat him as such.”

“What if he is just waiting for the right moment to strike? What if…”

“Enough, Talia!” Father growled and I immediately closed my mouth. “He hasn’t given me reason to distrust him. You will respect my decision and that’s the end of this conversation.”

Solon tensed beside me, but said nothing. I swallowed my frustration. There was no changing Father’s mind when he used that tone. We both bowed slightly and left the office.

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