moon directly in the middle. It was a fleshy colour, but raw, as if newly branded on my skin.
“I have no idea. Perhaps I hurt myself in the woods,” I said, attempting to keep my voice steady.
Or perhaps my shadow man had placed a mark on me? As a way to claim me for himself? He kissed that same space
earlier and did seem rather jealous at the mention of another man’s jacket. Talia let go of my wrist, giving me a questioning, but
curious look. As I stepped away, a smile pulled at the corners of my mouth.
“Come on, you can borrow one of my dresses if you wish,” I mentioned, using my wardrobe as a way to distract her.
Her face changed instantly as she stood up and linked her arm with mine. “As long as it's like what you're wearing now.”
“Yes, I think I have a blue one you’d look lovely in.”
“Wonderful. Oh, I forgot to mention,” leaning closer to my ear, she giggled before whispering, “Mother saw Lord Cole and
demanded he join us for dinner.”
The blood drained from my face as her words registered. Mother was setting her pieces up on our chess board and clearly
Lord Cole was one of them.
“And you are only mentioning this now?!” I snarled under my breath as we stopped in the corridor.
“I didn’t think you’d mind too much. Seeing as you thoroughly enjoy his company,” she teased.
“Talia, Mother banned me from seeing him and now she’s invited him to dinner. This can’t be good!” I hissed in a hushed
tone.
My mind raced with all the possible questions. The look my mother would give me if she knew. I couldn’t really scold
Talia for not telling me sooner. She was still a young girl. Always looking forward to the gossip of the court and seeing what
her big sister could tell her.
“Ornella, he seems very taken by you. Father has noticed. I heard him talking to Grandmother about him earlier.”
We continued the walk back to our rooms. The mention of Grandmother did make my heart slow a beat. She had great sway
over Father. Seeing as she was his only living relative now—aside from us—he turned to her for most of his life advice.
Perhaps she would be the one to hush Mother up about such rumours and believe Lord Cole to be a good man. At least, that
was the impression I got of him.
At first, he may have seemed a bit flirtatious and possibly egocentric. Though with each meeting, my impression and
opinion of him grew.
“Maybe she can talk some sense into Mother and stop her from forbidding you. I’m sure everything will be fine,” she said,
squeezing my arm a little as we entered my bedroom to prepare for dinner.
Chapter 13
ORNELLA