us all with your actions.”
I couldn’t help but laugh, and loudly in fact to which April shot me a glance of confusion and annoyance. She’d known of
my plan for years, never once questioning my choices. She had wanted to help Ornella, get her settled in and befriend her.
“My king, please, you must send her back,” Forest begged.
I stopped my laughter and rolled my eyes at them all.
“Or at least treat her so she wants to leave of her own will. The blood bond will hold, neither of you will break it now that
you have been married in the eyes of the Goddess. Many people live apart.”
I’d promised Ornella I’d stop acting as harshly towards her. I hated hurting her and refused to do so again.
“Nicholas,” April addressed me, placing a hand on mine. “For once I agree with this council, which you know is very rare.
And I adore Ornella, she has brought so much joy to you already, but they are right. If she stays here, and King Sirius believes
she’s being forced to remain, then he will continue bringing his armies. I know we have an advantage with our magics, but do
you think Ornella will forgive you if you harm her family?”
She squeezed my hand and I felt a pinch in my chest. I’d become so hellbent on revenge and taking Ornella as my own, I
barely thought of her family's reactions. How her sister felt when she found Ornella gone or when Norok woke up and heard
Ornella had vanished.
“I will take everything under advisement, but for now, Ornella is no longer up for discussion. Lady Nora has stationed
more men at the barrier, and we will increase the number of guards in the local villages to make our people feel safe.”
Standing from the table, they all followed suit.
“Percy, send word to our neighbouring kingdoms and ask them for aid should we require it. Our cousin Empress Genu will
happily help if it means crushing the ones who murdered her auntie.”
Genu’s mother, my father’s other sister, Adelaide, was married off to the Empire of Nadrolan. An almost barren wasteland
turned oasis by Adelaide’s magical gifts. They’d become an empire once their lands grew wild and lush, their people blessing
Adelaide as if she were a Goddess herself.
Genu became the Empress once Adelaide and her husband, Emperor Ashra, passed across the gate. She’d been extremely
close to Delphine before she died. I knew, if I called for aid, she would show up with more than enough soldiers and ships to
take over the entire world.
“Of course, your majesty, I will send word at once.”
“For now, my wife and I are to be left in peace. I will resume my duties tomorrow.”
They bowed low as I left the room, storming back towards Ornella. I was angry at how quickly my mood had shifted from
the peaceful bliss I woke up to.