âMicah, what are you saying?!â
Abby almost gasped when her mate actually asked his own mother to leave, since she found the woman more amicable than anyone she had ever met in her entire life.
On the other hand, Micah didnât say anything even though he could hear her perfectly fine, making her frown. Her confusion got worse when the King kept staring at Neesha, his jaw taut with tension.
âMicah?â She tried to tug at his sleeve, but when it failed to grab his attention, she could only try to step around from behind him, only to be yanked back with such force, Abby forgot her own worries and fears for a second.
âStay put, Iâll explain later,â Micah said as he stood his ground. He then regarded Neesha again.
âMother, you arenât feeling well, so please listen to me and get back to your room.â
âWhat happened, Micah?â Neesha finally opened her mouth when she realized her son wasnât joking when he asked her to leave. âWhy do you look so tense?â
âNothing, Iâm just concerned about your weak health,â the king said, trying not to sound perfunctory, but even Abby could tell how insincere he sounded.
The King didnât really know how to explain to Abby why he didnât want Neesha in their room, no, near herself, when his mother was right in front of them.
Not to mention, this wasnât the right situation, nor was the time for such a discussion at all. He really had to agree that his father came up with an idea so good.
With the ceremony set to begin in less than two hours, Micah didnât have another choice but to brush off both the women who looked confused beyond words with his actions.
Neesha didnât really think Micah would be happy with her reckless decision to attend this ceremony, but then she didnât actually expect her son to be this unreasonable when this was the first time in decades since she stepped out of the old tower.
âIâm really fine, son. I could hold my own for a few hours,â the former queen said with a frown, not wanting to accept that she was that weak. To be viewed as a fragile woman, Neesha couldnât stomach it given her origin as a shifter, a creature known for its extraordinary abilities.
1 âStill, it would be better for you not to take this risk,â Micah said in a soft voice, but it came out even more patronizing until even Neesha could tell that her health was just an excuse for her son to make her leave right now.
She couldnât help but frown at Micahâs choice of words. What risk was he talking about? They were in the palace for Godâs sake.
Even Abby couldnât help but look at Micah weirdly, when she heard him being so adamant for Neesha to leave.
She couldnât comprehend why the King was insisting for Neesha to return to her room directly. He wasnât even allowing her to attend the ceremony, as if something was terribly wrong with the very idea.
But then she knew her mate never acted without thinking thoroughly, so she couldnât really say anything more to persuade him otherwise when Micah left her to grab Neeshaâs hand to escort her out personally.
On the other hand, even though Neesha didnât feel happy with Micahâs behavior, she didnât feel like creating a scene right now, brushing it off with the thought her son just might have too much going on right now.
She let him pull her toward the door, but not before congratulating Abby on her big day. âIâm happy for you.â
Abby could only nod at her sweet gesture before she lowered her head, stashing aside the questions that were plaguing her mind right now.
However, just as she was contemplating whether she should follow Micah and Neesha to the door, so she could send the former queen off, she heard Arthurâs voice.
âWhy are you hesitating to tell your mother the truth?â The former king sounded righteous as if Micah wronged his own mother in ways impossible.
He stood right in front of the door, blocking the way out, while all the warriors and the servant maids stood far from the door, clearly being suppressed by Arthur.
After all, he was the former king, so none of them dared to stop him even though Micah told them not to allow anyone near this room.
âFather, this is not the right time,â the King couldnât help but grit out, realizing that his father had followed him here too late.
âWhen is the right time in your books, Micah?â Arthur countered as he pinned his son with a disgruntled look.
Neither Neesha, nor Abby could follow their conversation when both men talked in riddles, leaving them to stare at them in turns.
âIâm taking Mother to rest first, we can talk after Iâm back,â Micah said, narrowing his eyes at the former king.
However, Arthur didnât feel discouraged when Micah didnât play along with him and tried to actually brush him off without regard. Instead, he decided to take things a bit further.
âShe needs to know the truth, son,â Arthur declared, shaking his head as if Micah couldnât understand something so simple. âHow long do you plan to hide it from her?â
âWhat are you talking about?â Neesha finally asked when Micah wouldnât say anything.
âThe girl behind you is a witch, Neesha,â the former king blurted out, as if he could finally let out a grave secret. âNo, she is a half witch, born to a witch mother and shifter father.â
Micah couldnât help but feel a cold shiver run down his spine when he heard his father actually say it, while Abby couldnât help but feel stunned, not knowing why Arthur was making such a âgrand introduction.â
However, her thoughts got further scattered when she heard an ear piercing scream crack from Neesha, who fell silent for a short moment after Arthurâs random declaration.