Page 53 of Lost Heir
“You went too far, Lyanna,” Marcellus whispered. “She won’t let this slide.”
Just then, Father stormed into the Grand Hall with purposeful steps. When he saw the scene before him, his steps faltered and angry red circles bloomed on his cheeks.
“What is going on?” he shouted. “Who did this?” He offered Mother a hand and gently helped her stand.
“Father—” I started, but I was promptly cut off.
“Malik!” my mother gasped. “This child just tried to kill me!” In a turn no one expected, she pointed a trembling finger at Selene.
“What?” Marcellus and I shrieked.
“No she didn’t!” I countered. “It wasme. I used my powers on her.”
“You never would have attacked me if it wasn’t for that mermaid!” my mother accused.
My father switched his glare to Selene, who was frozen on her knees. I quickly stood in front of her, blocking her from my father’s ire. “If you’re going to throw Selene out, then you might as well throw me out, too,” I said.
“Me too!” Marcellus stood beside me in solidarity. “Selene did nothing wrong.”
My father’s face looked pained. “Lyanna,” he started, “I don’t know what’s going through your mind, but to do this to your mother over an …outsideris unacceptable.”
I frowned. “She’s not an outsider. She’s my family.”
“She’s a prostitute!” my mother screamed.
My father’s eyes widened at Mother’s declaration. “What did you say?”
Still leaning on him for support, my mother’s eyes glinted vindictively. “She’s a—”
“She’s a courtesan,” I interrupted. “Or at least, she was until Marcellus freed her.”
My father visibly relaxed, but his shoulders were still tensed. “Well, since she’s free, maybe it’s best if she goes elsewhere.”
“If she leaves, I leave,” I retorted, crossing my arms defiantly. “That’s the deal.”
“Fine. Leave then!” my mother shouted.
“Derinda!” my father scolded. “We just got her back! How could you say that?”
To emphasize the point that our family squabbles were never private, the doors to the Grand Hall opened and the sentinels announced Caelan’s arrival. I rolled my eyes. This honestly couldn’t have gotten any worse.
“Apologies for my interruption,” he said as he strode toward us. “But I heard about the situation and thought I could be of aid.”
He heard? Or was he the one who informed Mother of Selene’s past? Something about this didn’t add up, and I had a feeling it was all being orchestrated by Caelan. He was a master puppeteer and we were all his puppets.
He bowed to my parents and stood beside Marcellus. “If Selene’s presence is such an issue, then why not have her work in the palace? Have her earn her keep.”
“Fuck, no!” I exclaimed. “She just got her freedom and you want her to be sold into servitude again? Are you insane?”
Caelan shrugged. “I don’t believe Marcellus has actually given her the slave release documents, so technically, she was sold by the Rose Petal to Marcellus, making her his property to do with as he wishes.”
My eyes widened and my mouth fell open in shock. Caelan knew how much Selene meant to me and how ardently I strived to gain her freedom. For him to do this – to offer such a heartless suggestion – only confirmed that he was the one whispering in my mother’s ear.
“Caelan, I swear to the goddess, I will kill you,” I threatened.
The bastard raised his hands placatingly as if soothing a wild beast. “It was merely a suggestion, Lyanna. No need to get hostile. It’s up to Selene.” He looked down at her. “What do you say, Selene? Get kicked out of the palace, or become a court lady?”
Up until now, Marcellus had been quiet. But his anger had steadily grown with Caelan’s appearance. He cleared his throat and glared at his former friend. “I don’t see how any of this is your business, Caelan, but since you commented, let me clarifysome things. First, Selene is not myproperty, as you called it. I’ve already had the release documents written up; I just haven’t had the opportunity to give them to her. Secondly, the option to become a member of the house or be expelled from it is a threat, and I don’t appreciate you getting involved in a family matter. If you’re that bored, you should return to Eldwain and handle your own family squabbles.” He leaned closer to Caelan’s face and sneered, “In any event, stay out of ours.”
