Page 42 of The Call of Crimson
Rowina’s behavior is strange, especially for a female. I do not know what to make of her words. Aurelius and Ayden come to stand behind me, and Rowina directs her attention to Aurelius.
“Well, well,” the female muses. “If it isn’t our other brother. I can’t believe I never saw the resemblance. It seems obvious now.”
“Pleasure to see you again, Princess Rowina.” It sounds like anything but a pleasure.
Ayden steps in. “Ro, please, give them some space.”
Rowina takes a step back at the behest of her brother.
“Mother will be pleased to have you home. In your absence, she has attempted to match me with three different suitors. You’d think she’d have figured it out by now, but she always seems surprised when they all leave with no intention of returning.”
“You have mastered the art of scaring away males, dear sister. But you’re rambling; we can catch up later.”
“Fine,” she says with a pout. “I shall go fetch some whiskey from the kitchens. Gods know you’ll need it after they meet Mother. She’s in a mood.”
“She’s in a mood because you put her in a mood,” Ayden levels her with a knowing look.
“It’s not intentional,” she says, then mumbles, “most of the time.”
“Go. I will see you later.”
She turns and strides away, throwing a “Good luck!” over her shoulder as she disappears into the castle.
“What was all that about?” I ask after she’s out of earshot.
“Which part?” Ayden asks, amused.
“All of it, really. But the part about the suitors?”
They both laugh, apparently knowing something I don’t. “Let’s just say Ro is capable of pleasuring females better than most of the males our mother keeps throwing at her.”
“She still hasn’t figured that out?” Aurelius asks. “I picked up on that my first visit here.”
Ayden shrugs. “I’m pretty sure she’s just in denial. Ro does not try to hide it at all.”
“Would she care if your sister did not marry a male?” I ask.
“I do not believe she would love her any less, but I do not know how accepting she would be,” Ayden explains, “My mother is fixated on ensuring the Mordet line continues. I think she would only have a hard time accepting that Rowina will most likely not bear her any grandchildren.”
“What a ridiculous thing to be caught up on,” I say, mostly to myself.
“Yes, well, prepare yourself,” he warns, casting me a knowing look. “It likely won’t take her long to push you for heirs.”
I roll my eyes. “Fantastic.”
Aurelius remains suspiciously silent and well-behaved as we make our way through the castle gates.
Aurelius walks ahead, but not before brushing close, his voice a soft whisper just for me. “Forty-two seconds.”
CHAPTER NINE
BREYLA
We enter the grand hall of the castle, and I’m struck by the most unexpected, yet tasteful, opulence. Where I imagined all black velvet and gold accents to mirror the colors of House Mordet, I instead see something warmer and welcoming.
Open windows framed by black drapes flood the room with soft, golden light. The white marble floors gleam, subtle hints of black and gold streaking through it. The rays catch gold in the marble, creating a soft, ethereal sparkle.
I’m accustomed to the stone floors and walls of Rimor. It was dark and sometimes cold, but it was home.
