Tears welled in my eyes as the words spilled out. I’d always known I wasn’t the most appealing female to like-minded men
within court. I may have been pretty on the eyes, but my mind was in the clouds, within the pages of a book, or lost in the
wandering forests. No one truly would want a wife as free spirited as I was, and I understood it would be the same with
Nicholas.
I was and would always be, difficult to love.
“Do not tell me what would have been easier for me. You could have died back there.” He refused to look at me, but I
could see him swallow a lump in his throat.
“Thank you for saving my life.”
He didn’t say anything after that, just continued to stare out the window as I tried not to break in front of him.
Chapter 33
ORNELLA
He didn’t speak to me after my outburst. It cut me deeply, more than I imagined it would. We arrived back at dawn, the
three sisters standing outside the main gate to welcome us back. Nicholas refused to look at me or even help me out of
the carriage as he stormed back into the castle.
Both April and Vanessa followed their brother inside whereas Morgana waited for me. Without question, she linked my
arm into hers and we headed towards my chambers. I broke down as soon as she shut the door behind us.
“What can I do, Ornella?”
She seemed deeply concerned as I continued to cry. I couldn’t stop or switch off my emotions. I didn’t want to feel, but at
the same time I did. I wanted to feel the rawness of my heart and the dark pits within my mind as more and more memories
flashed between blinks.
Perhaps the reason my parents were willing to give me up to my uncle was because they knew deep down no one wanted
me and he would be able to ‘protect me’ when I took my turn at ruling.
Surely if I did head back home, knowing now that Norok was healed, I would no longer be the claimed heir and he would
go back to his spot at being the next king. Norok would put a stop the marriage to my uncle, freeing me to marry anyone else.
Yet, even with these thoughts, I sobbed painfully, coughing whenever I tried to take a few sips of water. Morgana just sat
beside me, rubbing my back. Finally an hour,or so had passed. I stopped crying, now exhausted and desperate for sleep.
“Please tell me, what happened? Why did you leave?”
She appeared generally concerned and I felt myself questioning why. Why did she care so much about me? I was a stranger.
“I found out about your aunt and the history with my father. Nicholas doesn’t really wish to marry me, Morg. He used me as
revenge, and now because of our silly deal, we are stuck together.”