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Orcades eyed them. “They are. She gave you all she had. How fascinating. Is that what motherhood is? Giving all for one’s offspring?” She sounded skeptical.
“I suppose it was, in my mother’s case,” I said. “I’ve been told it was because she was trying to protect me.” That was Draven’s theory.
“She hid you quite well, for a time,” Orcades said consideringly. “Father’s fury was unsurpassable. You truly did seem to simply vanish.”
I wasn’t sure if she was fishing for where I had been. I decided not to offer the answer. “Is Arthur in on your plans?”
Orcades threw back her head and laughed. “A mortal king? Part of my plans to destroy the High King of the fae? I doubt Arthur has any inkling the High King even exists. You think your brother would beuseful?” She snorted. It was actually rather adorable. Despite my best efforts, I found myself somewhat liking this strange older sister of mine. “He is a weak pawn providing me with concealment, nothing more.”
“He seems to care for you,” I observed. “Admires you.”
Her rose-colored lips formed a sneer. “He is proud to possess me. There is a difference between that and true affection. He has his uses. For now. But in the grand scheme of things? I tell you he is no one. Even you, well...”
The implication seemed to be that evenIwas of more significance to her than her husband ultimately was. I wasn’t sure how to take that.
“Why did you choose him then?” I pressed her.
“I saw within your mind that he was young, ambitious, and greedy for might and power. He seemed an obvious choice.”
I thought of the prophecy she had mentioned. Did it concern the three objects of power? Was it the same one my uncle had recited? Or was there something else guiding her plans?
“Your brother has a heart stained with darkness, you know,” Orcades observed. “It made things much easier.”
Made him easier for her to manipulate, she meant.
“He does. I’ve known that for quite some time.” I hesitated, then ventured, “You’ve looked into his mind. Is it entirely dark? Is there no hope for him at all?”
She looked at me in disbelief. “I looked as far as I needed to, and believe me, it was not a pretty sight. You think to, what? Try to redeem him? Women always believe they can redeem the worst sorts of men. Do you know what he did to the girl who was almost queen before me? Poor pathetic mortal. No, I wouldn’t waste your time.”
I swallowed my pride, knowing she was right. I felt like a fool for having asked the question.
Still, at least I hadn’t married the asshole.
Orcades rose to her feet, pulling her silk robe around herself. “The tournament is to start soon. I suppose that will be a diversion of sorts.” She glanced at me curiously. “Knights falling off their horses. Fae entertainments were much bloodier. You really do have a soft heart, don’t you?”
I lifted my chin. “I’ve seen my share of blood.”
She laughed a tinkling laugh. “I’m sure you think so, Sister.”
How many battles had this fae general seen? Over how many centuries?
“I might have gone to him, you know,” Orcades said softly. She had moved to look out of the window. “Returned to his court. The most powerful place in Aercanum.”
It had been her home.
“Why didn’t you go then?” I asked. “I suppose he would have been angry that you had escaped. He was the one who put you in that prison, wasn’t he?”
She turned back to look at me. “But then I would have had to tell him I’d seen you.”
“And left me,” I pointed out. “Or you could have lied.”
She shook her head. “It’s very difficult to lie to Father. If you remembered him clearly, you would know this.”
“So, he would have been angry that you left me?” I asked cautiously. “Sounds like he has some sense of family loyalty.”
Orcades tipped her head back and laughed, her amethyst curls dancing, as if I had said something hysterical.
“Oh, Morgan. Oh, Sister. Is that what you’d call it? Family loyalty?” She chortled.
