wing for days, even weeks, refusing any visitors including her own children. Perhaps they weren’t as in love as I had thought
they were.
“What were your parents like? Nicholas hasn’t told me much. I don’t even know your aunt's name.”
She may have smiled at my question, but I could see behind her blue eyes there was some hurt.
“You don’t have to tell me. I didn’t think, I’m sorry.”
“It’s not often I get to talk about my family. Delphine was my aunt's name, but I’m afraid I don’t know much about her. She
died before I was born.”
We turned the corner towards the main staircase, taking our time to walk down to the dining hall. Perhaps Morgana could
sense my unease as my shoulders lifted slightly, my back stiffening. I didn’t know if I could stand another evening of forced
conversation. I would have preferred staying in my own rooms to eat.
“Theodore and Helena were my parents. In a lot of ways, Nicholas is like our father, headstrong, stubborn as they come but
furiously loyal to his family and people. Our mother, April, says Vanessa is her in another form. Argumentative and always
looking like she was sucking on a sour lemon, but incredibly loving and kind.”
Her voice broke as she spoke of Helena, and we slowly stopped at the top of the stairs. Squeezing her hand that rested in
the crook of my arm, I looked at my newly made sister and was grateful for her company.
“I miss them both so much, Ornella. I can’t imagine what it must be like for you, to know your parents are fighting to get you
back and you are bound here.”
Her eyes raised as she said the last word. Bound. I surely wasn’t unable to leave here? Of course not, that wasn’t part of
the deal. I would be allowed my freedom once things were safe. I would be crowned queen. My parents would accept my
marriage.
That was the plan, wasn’t it?
“I didn’t mean to say that, apologies. Maybe we should head into dinner, they are most likely waiting to start.”
Morg was already backtracking the conversation, trying to change the subject. But I had heard correctly, there was no
denying what she said or covering it up. She started to walk down the stairs but stopped as I spoke. My body was already
starting to shake with rage and that same cold feeling of dread as it washed over me.
“What do you mean by bound?”
“I didn’t say that.”
She waved it away but before she could take another step, I grabbed her wrist and pulled her back slightly.
“Please, Morgana. What do you mean?”
She swallowed a lump in her throat and seemed to grow nervous. Her eyes looked from me then down towards the stairs
