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Cia
Andthereitis.
The ugly truth, the root of all the manipulation and pulled strings I never knew were attached to us. Dance, they said, and I did. When told to jump, I only asked how high.
I don’t remember how old I was when the world, or rather my family, started taking from me. Or how old I was when I began to give them what they wanted for free. They got my will, my love, and my loyalty. Never once did I consider it a chore, I knew it was what was expected, and in a strange way, it made me feel accomplished—proud, even.
Even though I don’t want my trauma to harden me, I’m done excusing fucked up demands and rolling over. Then again, is it unreasonable to put my foot down and refuse to give anything away for free? I think it’s fair to say it has to be earned. Nothing in this world is free, so why should my loyalty be?
I’m so happy I have my three men, whom I rely on completely to keep my sanity intact—especially when I argue with myself. Without them, I’d be truly lost.
As I sit back, I watch Morgana and Liam fiercely defend their choice, while Gus and Remus are countering with arguments of their own. In the name of the Society we all serve, I agree with my cousin and the Russo Leader. But from a humane and personal stand, it’s Morgana and Liam that are right.
“Enough,” I say, my voice slicing through their arguments. “This isn’t really a discussion. I won’t allow anyone else to have their lives ruined and identities questioned.”
Having my dad come back into my life, revealing that I was abandoned, shook me to the core. Knowing that Abel and Nikolaos were playing with something as vital as life and death irrevocably changed something inside me. While their reasons might be honorable, their actions were anything but.
Some days, I still feel like I’m drowning all over again, being tossed around like a rag doll by the primal forces of the sea. Yeah, I’m in desperate need of some serious down time.
“Don’t you see?” I ask, imploring them to see what I see. “If we want to break this cycle of playing with people’s lives, we have to do better. And I just can’t—” My voice cracks as tears well in my eyes.
Steadying myself, I inhale sharply.
“Think back on everything we’ve learned. I know it’s a lot, but Arthur, Remus… you must be able to see how bad it became under the old rule. Planting Morgana in the Hatt territory, while Gus was adopted into the Drákon family.”
“My fucking mom,” Gus barks.
At the same time, Remus asks, “But Marian was behind that, right? And she’s dead now.”
Arthur nods. “When you visited us in England, I did mention the possibility of her being up to something with my dad. Did you ever find out what that was?”
I shake my head. “No, and we probably never will.”
“My guess is that Uther knew Morgana wasn’t his biological child,” Gus says gravely. “Knowing my mom, she either threatened or fucked him into submission. Seems to be her M.O.”
Arthur scrunches up his face. “Can we please not talk about our parents fucking? I’m old fashioned that way.” Then he turns to face Liam. “Have you had any genetic tests done to figure out if you’re part of the Drákon family?”
“No,” Liam states dryly. “And I’m not going to. I don’t care about any of that. I’ll say the same thing I said about my mom, it’s none of my fucking business.”
Arthur nods slowly. “I don’t know if you even want to know but—”
Shaking his head, Liam interrupts the Hatt Leader. “I don’t want to know anything about her. Kill her. Fuck her. Put her on the street—either is fine with me.”
It feels like a lifetime since Liam had to leave me to go deal with his mom. In reality, it’s only been like a year and a half. And since Arthur let us know he knew where she is, I’ve tried countless times to convince Liam to let me pay her debt so she can be free. Hell, I think Arthur even took care of it. No matter what, my consort is unwavering in his decision, and I have to respect that.
I know I could easily have her moved here and arrange for a chance run-in, but Liam doesn’t deserve that. He’ll let me know if he ever wants to see her, and until that day, I trust that Arthur won’t actually kill her. And if Liam never changes his mind, I guess she’ll just get to live her life—which I hope she’s happy about.
“Okay,” Morgana says shakily. “I think I should destroy all files about the hidden Drákons. Though, I hope that if anything is needed, you’ll let me know. Maybe someone needs a donor, or if there are financial issues…”
Arthur and Remus are quick to agree, promising to let her know if they suspect anything.
It warms my heart that Morgana wants to do good, and I’m happy I signed everything over to her. This way she has an enormous wealth to match her equally sizable responsibility.
Actually, come to think of it, I still have some stuff. The old house I lived in with Mom and Dad is mine, as is any money Mom left me. Morgana has even transferred my contracts with Mary and Paris to the Kronos tab.
I’ve met with the women so many times over the last few weeks, each time Lupa and Morgana were with me. And now… my wedding dress is finally done, completed and ready for the big day.
Epilogue
