It was only as she lowered her bottle that she realized the room was unnaturally quiet. A dozen nurses and doctors were circling the television mounted on the wall, where a twenty-four-hour newscast was being played. Three anchors, two men and a woman, dressed in suits, sat behind a long desk. Their faces were drawn, unusually serious, even for people in their line of work.
“Mark, for those who are just tuning in, can you catch us up on what has happened?” the woman asked, dabbing a tissue on her cheeks.
The man on her left, presumably Mark, cleared his throat.
“Of course, Gael.” He faced the camera grimly. “Earlier today, reports came in of a magical attack on Chancellor Rose’s convoy. She was travelling near the Black Sea in the Northern Region. At first, we weren’t sure what happened or who was injured, but it’s now been confirmed by several sources that Ignatia Rose, the Chancellor, is dead.”
A sob came from off camera, and River’s blood chilled in her veins. She strengthened the dam behind where her magic was kept, ensuring it was strong, even as the newscasters continued speaking.
“Her murder comes at a shock to us all,” Gael said. “Her assassins are still at large, but rest assured, theywillbe caught.”
“The new Chancellor will ensure it,” the third newscaster said. “We’re going to cut now to our correspondent, Ian Neverfell, who is on the ground at the University of Balance. Ian?”
The cameras cut away to a tanned fae.
“Thank you, Josef,” Ian said. His lack of winter wear, despite the snow falling around him, and his pointed fae ears, meant he was probably a fire fae. “I’m here at the University of Balance, where a few minutes ago, the new Chancellor heard of her mother’s passing. Valentina Rose had been in a biology class when the news broke, and reports say that she fainted on-site.”
“Is Valentina still there?” Gael asked.
“No. She was whisked away to the hospital by her professor. An earth fae by the name of Atlas Mossgrove.”
“Thank you, Ian,” Mark said. “Of course, the Chancellorship should pass to Valentina Rose, but there are a few legal hurdles to deal with—her current marital status might cause a few problems. Technically, she is husbandless, and the laws of this land are clear. A Chancellor must have a Chosen partner. A husband or wife to help them navigate this position. We have afew legal experts who will be joining us at the top of the hour to discuss the new Chancellor’s options. In the meantime…”
River stumbled away from the television and sank into a chair.
The Chancellor was dead.
Valentina Rose would be the next Chancellor.
Atlas had been with her when the news broke.
And apparently, legally, Vale needed to be married to take her position at the helm of this country.
River’s head fell back, and she groaned. Why did she get the feeling that this was the beginning of something that would change the landscape of their country forever?
The End