how his affection cannot be bought.”
A bigger ignore came after that. He didn’t treat me like vermin anymore, he didn’t treat me like anything. It was like I didn’t exist at all.
That bike was a stupid idea and next time I went to see Monique I would tell her just how bad it was.
THE COUNCIL WANTED to see me again and Sir Robert went with me. He was back at my side whenever the Council wanted to meet.
“You bought him a Ducati?” he asked with a hint of a smile.
“Don’t look at me like that, it was stupid, I know.”
“It’s sweet, Elena. And it shows me that you would do anything in order for him to succumb. I just think it was the wrong time. Blake has eyed that specific bike for a long time.”
“Then why didn’t he just take it?”
“Because it came from you.”
“Wait, how do you even know about this?”
He chuckled. “Andy phoned me after he went to pick up the bike from Dragonia. It’s in a safe place for now, until the manor is completely done.”
“When will the manor be finished?”
“A couple of weeks, give or take.”
“Wow,” I said. “That’s fast.”
“It’s almost ready.” He had a huge grin on his face. “It’s really something, Elena.”
“I can’t wait to see it,” I said as we walked up the stairs that led to the city hall in Tith.
Sir Robert opened the door of the hall and we found a small group of Council members. Constance was there along with Master Longwei and the two kings.
Sir Robert and I each took a chair right at one of the tables. It was a different set up, a long oblong table, and I didn’t like the fact that Irene was sitting next to Master Longwei.
I didn’t know what she was doing here.
“Good day, Princess, Sir Robert.” King Helmut addressed the meeting. “We have summoned you here today, Elena to speak to you about a different matter.”
King Helmut was confident, and everything I wished I was when I was in front of these people.
“Irene has brought to my attention that she is feeling something pulling her toward your foretelling.”
I squinted. “My foretelling?”
“The one concerning you and Blake. Freeing the people of Etan.”
“Oh, I see. That one.” I pinched my nose and sniffed lightly. I could hear Stan’s voice in my head that it wasn’t princess-like but I didn’t care. It wasn’t my responsibility alone to make that foretelling turn red. It was my dragon’s too, and if he didn’t want to succumb then what the hell was I supposed to do? I couldn’t force him.
“What is happening with Blake?”
“He’s the Rubicon and doesn’t believe that he needs a rider, so he’s not anywhere near where he needs to be.”
“Well, the Ancients want you to try harder, Elena. Blake needs to help you fulfil this foretelling and if not, I’m sure I don’t have to explain to you what is at stake here.”
I shook my head.
“How long do we have?”
“Just try your best.”
The meeting ended, that was it, and we left. They seriously couldn’t have sent me an email or a crow?
To make matters worse, it was now my responsibility to find a way to make him co-operate, as if that was ever going to happen. I didn’t even know where to start with operation ‘Getting Blake Leaf to Join team Elena.’ All I knew was that everyone was counting on me, and they had just added the freedom of Etan to my already weighty shoulders. As if they didn’t carry enough already.
Sir Robert went his separate way as we took one of the elevators back to Elm. Thankfully, the carriage ride that waited for Constance, me and Master Longwei didn’t take very long.
“Elena.” Master Longwei called my name as I was looking down at the scenery from the carriage window.
I looked at him.
“Irene only felt something. It could still be months, even a year before Etan is lost to us.”
A faint smile appeared on my lips. That was why King Helmut couldn’t tell me the exact period of time I had to try and get Blake over on my