“When Sirius was forced to make a deal to marry Delphine, at the ripe old age of fifteen, he’d already met my sister, Elora.
Although we were not from a high-born family, my father owned much of the lands that harvested the grain to feed the families
of Crystal City,” he paused dramatically, as if to see if we were all paying attention, which surprisingly we all were. “When
Delphine came to visit us, I was a young Fae of eighteen. I’d help my father with the grain. When he was given a lordship, our
family quickly moved up in the ranks. Sirius and Elora would pass each other more frequently as she would take lessons with
the other ladies of the court.”
He shifted slightly, lowering his legs, and sitting more upright, stretching his back left from right. Age. He wasn’t as fit as
he liked to make out to be. No longer the young Fae warrior he wanted everyone to think he was. Good. It would make killing
him easier.
Dorian continued, “When Delphine was sent to live with Sirius, and his family's court, I would often visit the castle along
with Elora. When Sirius was too busy, or entertaining my sister, I would talk with Delphine. We became quite good friends.
For many years she would visit Crystal City. We fell deeply and madly in love. She did everything she could to get out of the
bond. When magic failed her, she decided to speak with Sirius herself. She would offer the marriage in name only, but ask that
she be with me in her kingdom. The alliance and bond would be satisfied, and he could be with Elora. But, he did not like
that.”
I didn’t like where this story was going. I always knew Sirius killed Delphine by marrying Elora. However, judging by the
sudden change in tone of voice, Dorian was about to tell us something different. I wasn’t sure if my sisters would handle this
new side of the story.
I wasn’t fully sure he was telling the truth. I wouldn’t have been surprised if this was all a lie just to get us to let our guards
down. As far as I was concerned, he probably stalked my aunt and harassed her.
“If he couldn’t have your aunt, then no one could. Knowing how the bond worked, he broke your aunt's heart by marrying
Elora in secret, thus killing her by breaking the blood bond. When she died, a part of me died along with her. But thankfully,
and finally, I got my revenge for her death. Which you can thank me for. I killed Sirius in a rather painful way.”
The shockwave of Ornella’s father’s death took me out. We all knew how Delphine had died shortly after Sirius married
Elora. Everyone knew that story as it was public knowledge within the kingdom. It's why marrying Ornella had to be done so
discreetly, but inviting and welcoming to my people. I didn’t want any of them to hold Delphine’s death against her.
Like I’d done.
Lost in my thoughts and lowering my eyes at the realisation of my mistakes once again, I didn’t hear as the doors burst in
until the shouting began.
Ornella, a mage, a guard, and Genu stormed in, along with some of her finest soldiers. I hated looking as helpless as I did,