When the doctor finally cleared me, my joy at finally being released was ruined immediately when the whole team—including Commander Drake and Officer Warwick—came to pick me up and take me to the palace to meet with the queen. I had forgotten her request. Being pushed through the hospital halls in the wheelchair with Court Guards securing the area made me feel uncomfortable, so I kept my head ducked throughout the journey. No matter how much I asserted that I was perfectly capable of walking, they insisted on driving me to the palace. The drive itself didn’t take a long time, but the security check certainly did. They were very thorough; they even checked Commander Drake and the other Court Guards. After two hours, we were allowed to proceed. Two Palace Guards walked beside us as they took us to the Throne Hall.

Queen Rhea Christoulakis had been waiting for me. Everyone in my entourage bowed the second we were in her presence, but before I could even attempt to bow in my wheelchair, she stopped me. She was as perfect as the first time I had laid eyes on her. Her blond hair was styled in a chignon with a few loose strands curling along the side of her jaw and landing softly on her shoulders. The blue dress that she was wearing complemented the blue Christoulakis eyes that regarded me carefully.

“Lady Stavros.” The queen greeted me with a smile. I still wasn’t used to my new name, and having her address me as lady was particularly overwhelming. For a second I almost thought she was speaking to someone else. But I was the only Stavros alive, so that wouldn’t be possible.

“Your Majesty.” I tried to keep my voice steady and pleasant.

She launched right into why she had brought me here so urgently. “As you now know, you’re the last remaining Stavros, which is why these Special Court Guards have been guarding you throughout your life.” Everything she stated was information I already knew, but I kept my mouth shut as I listened to her further. “The Stavroses died for a meaningless cause.” The queen closed her eyes briefly, and when she opened them, they were filled with sadness as she continued, “I still blame myself for my lack of ability to protect everyone.”

She looked remorseful, but I honestly couldn’t blame her for what had happened to my bloodline. The killings had taken place over many generations, starting with the Great Massacre. Besides, the Hellenicus lived all over the world. I understood how hard it must be to keep track of each and every one of us over multiple generations.

“Keeping you alive is now my utmost priority. And since there is no safer place than the palace, I’m inviting you to live here.”

Live in the palace?