Sacrifice by Mayandree Michel Read Free Book Online

absence.
    “You have our attention, Empress Cordelia,” Lucien said stiffly, as every pair of eyes stayed glued to my face. I wanted all of us to work together and I hoped that my plan would please them.
    “I think you all will be pleased with what I have to say,” I said, after swallowing the huge lump in my throat.
    “Yes, Cordelia. We know what you’ve been contemplating.” I saw the glimmer of a smile creeping up to Lucien’s face.
    “You do?” I asked, taken back.
    “Yes, Empress Cordelia. Lord Evander informed us. You want to fortify Victor with his god given powers.”
    “Exactly,” I said trying to hide my shock. Why had Evan spoken to them? When did he talk to them? The heat began to rise within me. My heart was beating as rapidly as the elder’s hearts, only a moment ago.
    “We all agree with Evan when we say that it’s too soon.” This wasn’t what I had expected at all. My powers could prevent the pain imploding in my gut. It felt like a brick had smashed into it.
    Oh Evan, how could you go behind my back?
    I composed myself and worked incredibly hard to not show how defeated I felt by Evan betraying my confidence.
    “While your children are away, Victor will play a very necessary part in your safety.”
    “He hasn’t proven himself,” Lucien said, forcefully.
    “He has with the information he provided,” I countered, equally as harsh.
    “That is not enough,” Delilah proclaimed.
    “It is for me,” I said, keeping my composure. I wasn’t about to come apart in front of them. They opposed me on purpose. It was payback for sending their heirs out on the mission.
    “How can we trust him? Must we remind you Empress, of what he’s done?” Lucien asked, stepping forward.
    “His need to avenge his parents’ unfair banishment and deaths drove him to plot and build a large group of disciples.” Delilah added.
    “He fortified this army of mortals with his power. Under his rule his army displayed power that brought on the attention of the Apolluon shadows,” Christos declared.
    They were all weighing in on me and I could feel my heat coming to a boiling point.
    “How could I forget? I was the one he killed. Remember?” I snapped. The elders were speechless. It was my turn now.
    “I’ll never forget but I have forgiven him.”
    We couldn’t blame Victor for his bad choices. The same two members who murdered his parents murdered my parents, but I had support. He was all alone and without any guidance. I understood his pain. This is just one of the reasons I couldn’t banish Victor to an eternity in the Underworld. He’s trying to please everyone. He wants to be a part of this family.
    “We are a compassionate empire. We support our members. Are we going to continue punishing him?” I asked.
    “Empress, we want Victor to be a part of this family. This is where he belongs. He belongs in this empire side by side with you, his betrothed,” Lucien said, spinning this in another direction. “We are also an obedient empire and we honor the gods. We trust them with their decisions. Are you ready to honor the god’s wishes? Zeus’ wishes?”
    “What does honoring my father have to do with restoring Victor’s powers, Lucien?” I asked stepping closer to Lucien. I stared into his beady eyes. I was about ready to banish him.
    “You ask us to trust him with our lives when you don’t trust him as the god’s choice for you.” Delilah jumped in and answered for Lucien, who looked frustrated. I read his thoughts. He missed the days when emperors and emperors were older and made decisions based on experience.
    “One has nothing to do with the other,” I snapped, daring them to argue further on that ridiculous point. They knew that I was in love with Evan even if he… I couldn’t even say it. I was still having trouble believing that he would go behind my back.
    “I think it’s time that this empire finally embraced Victor, completely.”
    “We aren’t totally convinced of his