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***
This was one family squabble Callia definitely didn’t want to be a part of.
“This is ridiculous. Isadora, tell him no!” Casey Simopolous turned in exasperation toward her half-sister, the future queen of Argolea.
From the far side of the extravagant bedroom suite, Callia chanced a sideways glance toward Isadora. The princess stood with her blonde head down, studying something beneath her pale pink slippers. Her hands were clenched behind her back, the gossamer pink dress all but swallowing her fragile frame. The perfect picture of submission. Not once had she flinched since her father, the dying King Leonidas, had issued his dire announcement.
This was their soon-to-be queen. This waiflike gynaíka who would rule over their land, command the Argonauts and lead them in this dangerous time of war. Atalanta was roaming the human realm, looking for a way to destroy the half-breeds and cross into Argolea to exact her ultimate revenge for being cast out of the Argonauts. Now more than ever it was imperative they have a leader with resolve.
But that clearly wasn’t Isadora. Callia had suspected that for a while. And she couldn’t help wondering if maybe Leonidas’s decree was best for everyone after all.
“Isadora, you cannot let him do this to you,” Casey said louder, stepping toward her sister. “This is archaic!”
“Enough!” the king rasped, attempting to sit up higher in the pillows of his gigantic four-poster bed.
Ignoring the buzzing in her head that had been going on for the last ten minutes, Callia set down her instruments and eased over to help him shift up in the bed.
The king frowned, irritated he needed any kind of help, but he didn’t fight Callia. Today his mind was clear and he was making use of it while he could. “Isadora will marry by the next full moon. And that is final.”
Casey’s jaw twitched. “It’s not right and you know it.”
The king’s head swiveled toward his dark-haired daughter—the one who would never be queen, simply because her mother had been human, even though Casey was the stronger and wiser choice and they all knew it—and he squinted to see clearer. Callia knew he saw nothing more than dark fuzzy shapes. “Isadora’s binding to a guardian of my choosing will ensure the Council cannot overrule her authority. You already commandeered my first choice, Acacia. You do not have a say in whom I choose to replace him.”
A heavy silence settled over the room. One Callia felt all the way to her bones. She knew all too well about domineering, controlling patéres. And she knew when they laid down the law, there was very little for a gynaíka to do but obey. Silently, she cursed their patriarchal society that gave females the opportunity to be anything they wanted so long as the male in guardianship over them approved.
Isadora still did not lift her head or look to either her father or sister. And though Callia and Isadora had never been close, a part of Callia went out to the princess. A part she didn’t want to acknowledge or dredge up.
Ready to be done with the family drama, Callia gathered the rest of her things and snapped her bag closed. As personal healer to the king, she’d spent a fair share of her time here lately, making him comfortable, seeing to his maladies during his last few months, but she didn’t relish it a bit. Especially not when she had a headache like this one. And every time she came to the castle there was the chance she’d run into an Argonaut. Which was a rendezvous she avoided at all costs. “I’ll be back to check on you tomorrow morning.”
His gnarled hand snaked out and snagged her arm before she got a step away. Even at 684 years and with his body finally giving out from old age, he was still strong. Stronger than most. “I’ll need you to stay.”
Anxiety pricked Callia’s skin. “That’s not necessary, Your Highness. And I have work at the clinic I really have to get back to.”
“The new moon is but a week away. After I make the announcement to the Argonauts, I’ll need you to verify my choice is in peak physical shape. I need to know he can sire an heir immediately. You’ll use my office for the exam.”
Callia darted a look at Isadora, who, if possible, hung her head even lower. How great it must feel to be seen as nothing but a breeding machine.
But, oh, good gods. Callia had worse things to worry about right now. The king wanted her to perform a physical exam. On the Argonaut of his choosing. Today. She could think of a thousand other tortures she’d prefer to this one. “Um. I’m sure another time would be—”
“It is not a request.” He released her hand and barked, “Althea!”
His maidservant scurried into the room with a bow. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Get me Demetrius. He’s with the Executive Guard at the portal, training the newest recruits. I want him and the rest of the Argonauts assembled here within the hour.”
Althea’s eyes widened with the same anxiety suddenly spiking Callia’s chest. “All of them, Your Majesty?”
He waved off her question with a weak flick of his wrist. “Go. Now.”
“Um, Your Highness,” Callia started as Althea rushed from the room. “I really think—”
“Isadora,” he said, ignoring Callia’s urgent protest. “Show Callia to my study and see she has everything she needs for her examination. I want you both back here when the Argonauts arrive.”
Isadora didn’t bother to argue. She turned silently for the door, her slippers making not even a whisper of sound across the stone floor. Callia sighed in defeat as she watched the princess leave. She had no choice but to follow.
“Acacia.” The king’s attention swung to his other daughter. “Find that husband of yours. Have him call back his guardians from whatever patrols they’re on. I don’t want to hear excuses. I want them here. All of them. Is that clear?”
Arms crossed over her chest, Casey frowned and stepped close to his bed. Dressed in a sleeveless white blouse and crisp black slacks, she didn’t cower in front of the king like Isadora. And she had no qualms about putting him in his place. “Oh, I’ll find Theron and tell him exactly what you’re up to, don’t you worry about that.” She tipped her head when she reached his bedside. “This is going to backfire on you. You know that, don’t you?”
The king only harrumphed and looked ahead.
“It will,” Casey reiterated as she leaned down and kissed his wrinkled cheek. “Mark my words, Dad. Isadora is not going to sit back and let you run her life for her.”
“Yes, she will,” he mumbled. “Because she’s not you.”
Casey straightened, and though it was clear she was fired up over what was being done to her sister, Callia could see the compassion the half-breed had for her long-lost father. A compassion Callia wished she felt for her own father.
“You’re right,” Casey said. “She’s not. She’s stronger than I am. Stronger than all of us. And one day soon, you’re going to realize that for yourself. Everyone will.”
The king didn’t answer. Not when Casey turned and disappeared through the door. Not when Callia grabbed her bag and followed. But as she reached the threshold, Callia was almost sure she heard the old ándras mumble, “I hope you’re right. And for all our sakes, I hope this motivates her to finally prove me wrong.”
To learn more about ENTWINED and the rest of the Eternal Guardians Series, visit www.ElisabethNaughton.com
About the Author
A former junior high science teacher, Elisabeth Naughton traded in her red pen and test tube set for a laptop and research books. She now writes sexy romantic adventure and paranormal novels full time from her home in western Oregon where she lives with her husband and three children. Her work has been nominated for numerous awards including the prestigious RITA® awards by Romance Writers of America, the Australian Romance Reader Awards, The Golden Leaf and the Golden Heart. When not writing, Elisabeth can be found running, hanging out at the ballpark or dreaming up new and exciting adventures. Visit her on the web at www.ElisabethNaughton.com.