I sighed at her words. Her friends, the ones I planned to deal with for daring to enter my lands. The male would have
eventually been brought up to tutor Ornella. The female was to suffer a slow, horrendous death. With the wedding and constant
council meetings, I had yet to end their lives.
The male, he still sat in his cell, quiet and subdued. All he’d asked for were some reading materials and I’d granted it
simply because he was no bother. Most likely not wanting to cause any trouble and face my wrath again. Whereas the female,
I’d taken great pleasure in hurting.
There was silence in the room as Percy, Vanessa, and April turned to me, waiting to hear what I had to say. There were no
words. I just wanted to keep my shadows at bay. Ever since Ornella’s arrival they’d flowed more rapidly, without warning or
control and I couldn’t have that. A king who loses control is not a good king.
“I will take Ornella upstairs,” I commanded.
Morgana couldn't hide the smile that was clear on her face as she turned back to comfort Ornella. Vanessa, however, did
not seem pleased as a sudden rumble of thunder came from outside.
“Nic, we should at least know the reason why.”
“Why, what?” Morgana asked, surprised by Vanessa’s tone.
“Why was Ornella down there? It couldn’t have just been to say a quick hello,” she noted, setting her sights back on
Ornella as Morgana looked at me, pleading for me to step in.
“I know it hurts to talk, but going down into the dungeons without the king's permission—wife or not—is forbidden. You
may have been given free rein in your old kingdom but here, especially with your lack of skills, you put yourself in danger and
potentially the danger of our guards.”
“The guards can take care of themselves. It was lucky one of them was there in time to aid her,” Morgana replied as
Ornella lowered her head.
“That’s the whole point Morg! The guards should know that their future queen,ourqueen, is perfectly capable of protecting
herself and not getting herself into situations she shouldn’t be in.”
“That’s all right for you to say,” Ornella said roughly.
The footman appeared suddenly and handed her the glass of water April had ordered and she was quick to drink most of it,
wincing with each dip of her throat.
“What does that mean?” Vanessa barked.
“You…you all have gifts, can fight, and I do not. I wish I did. I wish that I could protect myself and fight like you. If
anything, I feel useless amongst all of you.”
How could she feel so useless when I’d made sure to have anyone with magical abilities steer clear of her. I’d even tried
