Chapter 11
Sana took a seat in the conservatory with its wide glass windows overlooking the rolling hills of the forest. Her heart thumped at the big black wolf darting from the castle into the treeline. "Is that...Rhyel?"
Zena followed her gaze and nodded. "It is."
"Oh," she said with her heart sinking. "I thought he was going to join us for lunch."
"So did I," Zena said, taking a drink from her glass of wine. "But I believe Sune has something to do with his urgent run into the woods."
"Sune?" Sana frowned. "What would he have to do with that?"
"Mm, Tsidian moths are very protective of their chosen," Zena said, leaning back in her chair.
"My father was first officer and Beta to Lord Vito, Rhyel's father and he told me that when Lady Aloysia's moth found her, he sent Lord Vito on a quest to prove his loyalty to her.
" She smiled. "And I believe that's what Rhyel is doing now. "
Sana's eyes grew wide as she looked down at Sune on her shoulder. "B-but he doesn't need to do that. He doesn't need to prove anything to me."
"Oh, but he does." Zena chuckled. "One thing you will learn very quickly about House Darcanos is that our Lady and her gifts, whatever they may be, rule our Lord and Alpha wolf, which is why Rhyel must prove his loyalty to you."
"I...I didn't know being the Lady of House Darcanos was such an important role. I mean, I know it's important, but not...not like that."
"Yes, my Lady. One might say your role here is more important than Rhyel's. One day, you'll take my place as General."
"Wh-what? I-I can't do that." Sana shook her head. "I'm not capable of leading the military. I-I can't even fight."
"You are and you'll learn," Zena said, sliding her hand over Sana's. "I'll teach you everything you need to know. We all will."
"Who...who's we?"
"Loic, Oziel, your maids and, of course, Sune," Zena said, squeezing her hand. "You're not alone."
"What about...Rhyel?"
"That all depends on him and the quest he's on." Zena smiled. "But I'm sure it won't take him long to accept his loyalty to you. He'll be back to help you, too."
He will, my little flame. The Darcanos never fail to fulfill a quest. Don't worry.
A deep voice rumbled inside Sana's mind and her heart thumped as she looked at Sune, fluttering his wings on her shoulder.
"Sune? Was that...you?"
It was. And thank you for giving me a name.
"Ah, has Sune finally spoken to you?" Zena said, dipping a piece of bread into her soup. "That's a wonderful sign."
"I-I didn't know he could do that," Sana breathed.
"There's a lot you'll learn about your moth," Zena said, nodding to the bowl of soup in front of her. "Eat, my Lady. You're going to need your strength to keep up that connection you have."
Sana dipped her spoon into the soup and her mouth tingled at the vibrant flavors of the okra and shrimp in the decadent tomato broth. It tasted just like home, only better because it wasn't cold and the meat and vegetables were fresh.
A tear rolled down her cheek as she ate another spoonful.
She didn't deserve any of this. The sanctuary, the food, the kindness she'd received the moment she arrived.
Rhyel had nothing to prove to her. She didn't understand why he was sent on a quest to prove his loyalty to her when she had everything to prove to him.
"Oh dear. Is the soup alright?"
"Y-yes, it's...it's lovely," Sana said, wiping her cheek with a napkin. "I'm sorry. I just...I don't understand why you're treating me like this or why Sune chose me. I have nothing to give this House."
"That's not true, Sana," Zena said, shaking her head. "I don't know what you've been through before you came here, but you are worthy and I hope the longer you stay here, you'll start to see it."
And I wouldn't have chosen you otherwise. Let Zena and the people of this House guide you. All you need to do is try and you will see.
Sana took a deep breath and nodded. "Okay. If... if Rhyel is going on a quest to prove his loyalty to me, then it's only right that I try my best to learn how to be the Lady of Darcanos."
"That's all anyone can ask of you," Zena said, patting Sana's hand. "We'll finish the tour today and then tomorrow, we'll start your training."
Very good, little flame. Never doubt that this is where you are meant to be.
Sana found comfort in both Zena and Sune's words. She wanted to be here. She wanted to belong, but there was still a mountain of doubt that nipped and bit at her nerves that no matter what she did or how hard she tried, she would never live up to what any of them wanted of her.
But she would try.
"What do you see for my darling Aneera, Dante?" Sirius Lightbourne asked his friend and Lord of Barshaa House. "Will this match with Lord Zon's son be fruitful?"
"Mm," he murmured, gazing at Aneera, sitting beside Sirius dressed in a silk gown of orange and yellow with her crimson hair braided into a crown around her head. "It will be as long as Sana remains in the north with Lord Rhyel."
Aneera scoffed. "What does she have to do with my marriage?"
"That, I'm unsure of. All I can see is that for your marriage to Zehev Issian to be one of glory, you must not interfere with Sana's life with Rhyel Darcanos."
"That won't be hard at all." Aneera laughed. "I'm sure her life with that barbarian will be utterly dreadful."
"Aneera, darling, Lord Rhyel is Dante's nephew. You shouldn't speak of him like that," Sirius said, smiling nervously at his friend. "Forgive my daughter for speaking ill of your kin."
"It's quite alright. I'm well aware of how the realm sees my nephew.
You aren't the first to speak of him that way," Dante said, chuckling.
"All is forgiven, but I do hope you keep your word, Aneera.
This alliance with the east is the first of its kind and could bring much peace between our nations. "
Aneera nodded. "I will. I'm so honored to be chosen by such a powerful House."
"Yes, and why don't you go spend time with your sister while Dante and I plan her wedding," Sirius said, nodding to the door. "I'm sure she'll want to spend every moment with you before you leave."
"Yes, father," she said, leaning over to kiss his cheek. "Thank you."
Aneera gathered her skirts and stood from her chair before bowing to Dante. "Thank you for your vision and I'm so pleased Lyra will be joining your family."
"You are very welcome, my dear, and I'm pleased as well."
Sirius and Dante waited for Aneera to leave the room before Sirius heaved a deep sigh. "I'm so sorry for what my daughter said about Rhyel. She doesn't think sometimes before she speaks."
"Mm, yes, she's very outspoken," Dante said, taking a drink from his glass of wine. "That will serve her well in House Issian. You are aware Lord Zehev has many wives."
"I am, but none from the south and none as bright as my Aneera."
Dante nodded. "This is true and it's good you have such faith in her. There will be many questions about this alliance with the east, but I assure you it is the best for the realm, and I'm glad you heeded my words to send Sana to the north."
Sirius sat back in his chair as he took a drink from his glass. "Can I ask why you were so adamant about that? Why would you want your nephew to be wed to such a useless woman?"
Dante looked above Sirius' head to the black bird perched outside on the windowsill and a smile tugged at his lips. "Because my nephew needs her," he said, tearing his gaze away from the bird. "And I'm glad she arrived safely."
Sirius cleared his throat, shifting in his chair and nodded. "Yes, as am I. Rhyel sent a generous gift of silver and crates of this wine we're drinking," he said, grinning. "I had no idea he'd be so appreciative of a wife without abilities."
"House Darcanos values things differently than the rest of us." Dante shrugged. "Anyway, enough about my nephew. Shall we finalize the plans for the wedding?"
"Yes," Sirius said, sitting up in his chair with a bright smile on his face. "It must be a grand affair."
Dante and Sirius spoke for hours, planning the union of their children. All the grand Houses from the realm would be invited to celebrate the joining of the two southern Houses at the end of the festive season.
The sun was making its final descent behind the rocky mountains in the distance by the time Dante waved farewell to his eldest friend. As he walked down the tree lined grove to his waiting carriage, a woman appeared from the hedges with her head shrouded in a brown cape.
"Lord Dante, forgive me for approaching you," the woman said, holding a letter in her hand. "My name is Uma and—"
"Ah, Miss Uma. I remember you," Dante said, grasping her hands. "What's with all the secrecy, my dear?"
"I'm sorry, but we're forbidden from trying to contact Miss Sana and I wondered if you could find a way to give this letter to her," Uma said, holding out a brown envelope to him. "You're the only person I trust to get this to her."
"Of course," he said, taking the envelope. "Your secret will be safe with me." He looked around the grove as he tucked the letter into the pocket of his robes. "Now, go on. Back to your duties, my dear. I wouldn't want Lord Sirius or his daughters to see us."
"Yes, my Lord. Thank you," she said, giving him a bow before she scurried into the hedges back to the house.
Dante shook his head as he eyed his coachman. "Roan, promise to tell me if you ever start to fear me like that."
The coachman chuckled softly as he opened the carriage door. "You say that every time we visit the Lightbournes, my Lord."
"And I mean it every time I say it," he said, stepping into the carriage. "I never want you to fear me or my family."
"I know, sir, and I promise to tell you if I do."
"Thank you," Dante said as Roan closed the door.
Leaning back against the cushioned seat, Dante heaved a deep sigh.
He loved Sirius. They'd been close like brothers growing up, but when he became head of House Lightbourne, he yearned for power.
Something Dante never understood and as a seer, he knew all too well how power corrupted the mind, which was why he had to ensure Sana got out of that house to his nephew where she'd be safe.
And now he needed to get Rhyel's spy out of there, too.
Swirling his finger in the air and swiping it down to the floor, a blackbird came crashing in through the slit in the carriage window.
"Reveal yourself," Dante said, holding his hand over the flapping bird as its feathers burst from its body and shifted into a young man clad in black leathers and curly black hair atop his head.
The young man gasped, holding a hand over his chest. "How did you do that?" he wheezed, catching his breath.
"I'm a seer. You can't cloak your abilities from me," Dante seethed. "You need to go home."
"But I can't. Lord Rhyel sent me—"
"I know why my nephew sent you here and I'm telling you, you need to go home.
The answers he seeks will be revealed to him in due time," he said, taking Uma's letter from his robe pocket.
"Take this to Lady Sana and tell Lord Rhyel that I sent you back.
He might already be aware of your return if he's on the quest."
The young warrior frowned as he took the letter. "What quest?"
"Nevermind that," Dante said, waving him off. "Now go. Fly swiftly and cloak yourself on the wind. Hurry."
"Yes, Lord Dante," the young warrior bowed his head before shifting back into a bird and holding the letter in his beak. Flapping his wings, he flew out of the carriage window, disappearing in the wind and blending into the dusk sky.
Dante took a handkerchief from his robe pocket and wiped it over his brow. When he first saw the vision of his nephew wed to the ungifted daughter of the Lightbournes, he never imagined such a simple glimpse into the future would cause him so much turmoil.
"Oh, Aloysia," he whispered, closing his eyes. "I hope you and Vito are guiding him from the beyond."