Chapter 29
I've never seen you angry or upset like that. Are you sure you wish to meet with Lord Dante? Did you bathe enough of those herbs to handle his effects on you?
Sune fluttered to Sana's shoulder as she walked beside Rhyel to the sitting room where Lord Dante was waiting for her.
"I did and I'm fine," she said, wrapping her fingers around her dragon's breath hanging from her neck. "I was...I was only upset because I'm shocked that he's here and didn't warn anyone about his arrival."
"And rightfully so," Rhyel said, wrapping his arm around her waist. "There's no need for you to worry, Sune. We'll be with her."
"Actually," Sana said, looking up at him. "If you don't mind, I'd like..." She clenched her dragon's breath. "I'd like to speak with him alone."
Rhyel frowned, turning to her. "Are you sure?"
"Y-yes," she said, bowing her head as she bit her lip. She wasn't sure she was ready to hear the answers she sought and she certainly didn't want Rhyel or Sune to know the depth of the questions she wanted to ask. "But only if you will allow me to."
"You don't need my permission," Rhyel said, curling his fingers around her chin, lifting her face to his. "If that is what you wish, then Sune and I will respect it." Rhyel slid his gaze to Sune, perched on her shoulder. "Right?"
While I don't agree with this and I'd prefer to stay with you.
Sune flew to Rhyel's shoulder.
If this is what you want, then of course I'll respect it.
"I'm...I'm sorry."
"You don't need to apologize. I understand why you want to do this by yourself," Rhyel said, sliding his hand to her cheek. "Just know that when you're ready to talk to me about it, I'll be here to listen."
"Thank you."
"Of course," he said, offering her his arm. "Would you mind if I still escort you to the room?"
"No, I don't mind that," she said, slipping her hand in the crook of his arm. "I'd feel better if you did."
Sana gripped Rhyel's arm as they neared the double doors of the sitting room.
She knew what she wanted to ask Lord Dante after all these years, but she hadn't thought about how she'd feel when she saw the man who always treated her as if she were a true Lightbourne even after her mother died.
He was... he was like family to her. At least, that's what she always thought, but now. ..
The doors of the sitting room opened and Sana held her breath as Zena, Oziel and Lord Dante stood when they entered.
He was just as she remembered. He'd aged since she last saw him, of course.
Wrinkles etched his light brown skin around his eyes and across his forehead.
His long curly hair was more white than the black it used to be, but his bright golden brown eyes held the same joy as if the sun shone behind them and his aura hummed like a warm welcome after a long journey.
"My Lady." Zena, Oziel and Lord Dante bowed.
"I'm honored that you wished to speak with me, Lady Sana," Lord Dante said, looking up at her with a smile tugging at his lips. "It has been too long since I've seen you."
Sana returned his smile and nodded. "Yes, it has, and it would have been nice to have some warning of your arrival."
"Yes, I'm terribly sorry for any harm I caused you," he said, clasping his hands in front of him. "Lord Rhyel and his senior counsel have already forbidden me from entering Darcanos lands in the future without forewarning."
"That's right and we would've sent him away already if it weren't for Lord Dante's generosity in helping to reinforce the wall," Zena said, crossing the room and taking Sana's hand. "I'm so glad you recovered. I was worried about you."
"We all were," Oziel said, standing beside Zena with his blue eyes full of concern. "You gave us quite the scare, my Lady."
"I'm sorry, but thank you for caring," Sana said, squeezing Zena's hand. "I'm glad you're both alright too and you were able to close the breach."
"It was nothing," Oziel said, smiling as he patted a hand on Zena's shoulder. "That wasn't the first time we've had a breach like last night."
"No, but hopefully we won't have another one," Rhyel said and there was a subtle bite in his tone as he kept his gaze on Lord Dante. "As long as my uncle's stones prove to work as he says."
"I assure you they will and if you'll allow me," Lord Dante said, gesturing to the plush navy couches and the tray of tea and biscuits on the blackwood coffee table. "I'd like to speak to Lady Sana as we agreed."
Sana let go of Rhyel's arm and clenched her hands at her side. "I-I have some things I'd like to discuss with you as well."
"I'm sure you do." Lord Dante smiled. "Will you join me for tea, then?"
"Yes," Sana said, turning to Rhyel. "I'll... I'll find you and Sune when I've finished."
"Mm," he said, leaning down to her ear. "Remember, you are the Lady of this House and you are worthy of being treated as such," he whispered. "You deserve to know the answers you seek."
The soft rumble of his voice rolled over her skin, igniting a small, simmering flame of purpose in her belly. Sana pressed her hand against his chest and nodded. "Thank you," she whispered.
"You're welcome," he murmured, and her heart fluttered as Rhyel's lips brushed against her cheek. "Sune and I won't be too far away," he said, leaning away from her and turning to Zena and Oziel. "Fetch Loic and report to my office. We have a few things to discuss while Sana and my uncle have tea."
"Yes, my Lord." They nodded.
"Lady Sana," Zena said, giving her a small bow of her head. "I hope you will spare some time for you and I to speak as well."
"Of course, Zena," Sana said, taking her hand. "We'll have dinner."
Zena nodded. "Thank you, my Lady," she said, squeezing Sana's hand before she and Oziel bowed to Lord Dante and left the room to do as Rhyel asked.
"Uncle, I am leaving Sana in your care," Rhyel said, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. "I trust you will give her your utmost respect and attention."
Lord Dante bowed his head. "I endeavor to do just that, nephew."
"You should tend to your duties," Sana said, patting his hand on her shoulder. "I'll be fine."
"I know," he said, sighing as he took her hand and brought it to his lips. Her heart thumped and sizzled as he pressed a soft kiss against her knuckles. "I'll see you soon."
"Y-yes," she breathed as he slipped away from her. She watched him walk out of the room without a second glance, leaving her with her skin tingling where he'd kissed her, her heart simmering at his tender gesture and wondering why he did such a thing.
"Lady Sana, would you like to join me?" Lord Dante said, pulling her from her thoughts and reminding her of her purpose and the answers she so desperately needed.
Curling her hand into a fist, she nodded and turned to Lord Dante. "I would," she said, crossing the room and folding her skirts of indigo beneath as she sat on the settee.
Lord Dante sat across from her and poured her a cup of bitter berry tea. "It's good to see you after all these years," he said, pouring himself a cup of tea. "It seems like you're doing well. Are you happy here?"
"I am and it's...it's good to see you too," Sana said, clenching her hands in her lap. "But I'm quite shocked to see you after all this time."
Lord Dante took a slow sip from his cup. "I know and I'm truly sorry for disappearing from your life," he said, sighing as he sat his cup on the table. "It was never my intention to do that."
"Then why did you?" she said, blinking back the tears stinging the corners of her eyes as her hands shook. "Y-you were the only one I could talk to after my mother died and you promised to take me away from my father."
"And I didn't break that promise," he said as sorrow filled his honeyed eyes. "It just didn't happen like either of us thought it would, but you needed to stay where you were until the time was right for me to give you the life your mother wanted for you."
"I don't understand." Sana frowned. "My mother wanted me to be here? In... in Darcanos?"
"Yes. She wanted you to be somewhere you would be treated with respect with or without your gifts.
Somewhere you could be free to live unburdened by your lack of abilities.
" A small smile tugged at the corners of Lord Dante's lips.
"And I knew she was speaking of Darcanos.
It is the only nation that isn't built on the worth of someone's abilities. "
"But I'm... I'm barely capable of being the Lady of Darcanos or worthy to stand by Rhyel's side," Sana said, looking away from him to the arched double doors of the balcony overlooking the courtyard. "My life, until now, has been one of servitude. I have no skills to be a Lady."
"That's just not true, Sana," Lord Dante said as he got up and sat beside her. "I know your father stripped you of your place in your family and treated you like a servant, but that's not who you are."
"How do you know who I am? You weren't there." She scoffed as anger bubbled up in her chest. "I feel like an imposter wearing such extravagant things," she said, waving her hand over herself. "I'm not a fighter or a warrior like everyone expects me to be. I-I have no right to be here."
She wiped a tear that rolled down her cheek. "My mother was wrong to want this life for me. I am what my father says. I'm... I'm useless and you shouldn't have burdened Rhyel or Darcanos with someone like me."
"You're not a burden and your father is wrong," he said, sliding his hand over hers. "You're exactly where you need to be and where you're supposed to be."
"B-but I can't do anything. I have no magic. I can't shift into anything," she said, curling her fingers around her dragon's breath. "I don't even know why a Tsidian moth chose me, and I feel guilty that Rhyel has been forced to pledge his loyalty to me."
Lord Dante chuckled softly. "Rhyel wasn't forced to pledge his loyalty. The quest he endured gave him a choice. I don't know what those choices were, but it certainly doesn't look like he feels forced to do anything for you."
Sana shook her head. "But if my moth hadn't chosen me, then he wouldn't have had to go on that quest in the first place."
"No, but you were chosen because your moth senses greatness in you," he said, squeezing her hand. "Abilities, gifts or not, that doesn't matter to an ancient being like your moth and you have a choice to make too, you know."
"What choice do I have?" she said, pulling her hand away from his. "I've never had a choice to do anything in my life."
"But you do," Lord Dante said as he waved his hand over the room. "You are betrothed to Lord Rhyel, Alpha of Darcanos, the future Lady of this grand and mysterious House, but you don't have to be." He looked back at her. "No one is forcing you to live this life."
Sana rubbed her thumb over her dragon's breath as she thought about what Lord Dante said. Not once had Rhyel, Zena, Oziel or Loic told her she had to be here. That she had to be the Lady of Darcanos.
All they've ever asked of her was to try, and she'd never once thought of leaving because what life did she have to go back to?
What would her life be without Sune, Eula and Kezi, her training with Zena, Loic and Oziel or spending time getting to know Rhyel and.
.. and understanding her feelings for him?
She couldn't imagine anything without them now.
"I... I want to stay here," she said, taking a deep breath and hardened her gaze on Lord Dante. "I'm still angry that you left me for so long and you couldn't bother to tell me it was you who arranged my betrothal," she said, taking his hand. "But I suppose you kept your promise and I thank you."
"You're welcome and I'm sorry for my secrecy, but it had to be this way," he said, patting her hand. "And after all that's happened, I hope you don't mind me asking you to promise me something?"
Sana frowned. "I... I think it depends on what you want me to promise you."
Dante's eyes glowed in a soft golden hue as he squeezed her hand.
"I want you to promise me that you'll embrace this life and all Darcanos has to offer you," he said, and the familiar warmth of his aura tingled against her skin.
"You can trust my nephew, Sana. I can sense that you're hiding everything from him. "
Sana's heart clenched as she pulled her hands away from his seeing touch. "I-I can't tell Rhyel about my life. I don't," she said, shaking her head. "I don't want him to pity me more than he already does."
"Give him a chance to see you, Sana. I wouldn't have arranged a marriage for you to someone who wouldn't care for you just as you are," he said, sliding his hand to her shoulder. "Do you remember what your mother used to tell you?"
Tears pricked the corners of Sana's eyes as she nodded. "In life, you must always be brave and... and never hide your true self from those you care for."
"And you are so very brave, my dear Sana. You endured a life no one of your namesake should have, and you don't need to hide, especially not from someone who's given you their loyalty. But do you care for Rhyel enough to let him see you?"
"I-I do care about Rhyel, but I don't know how to tell him I'm not who he thinks I am. That I was raised to be nothing, but forgotten in the shadows," she said as her lip trembled. "B-because I k-killed my mother."
"Oh, Sana," Lord Dante said, wrapping his arms around her and hugging her tight. "That wasn't your fault."
"It was," she said, sobbing in his arms as the grief for her mother pressed down on her like a heavy weight and gripped her heart. "If-if I had abilities she w-wouldn't have died."
"It wasn't your fault," Lord Dante said, rubbing her back, soothing her sobs with a calming spell as if she were that little girl he saved from the flames that took her mother.
"I'm so sorry your father punished you for his own guilt and shame.
And I hope you can forgive me for not being able to stop it," he said, pulling away from her with tears brimming in his eyes.
"But things had to be as they were. Your mother did what she had to and I promise, one day you'll understand.
" He smiled as a tear rolled down his cheek.
"I've seen what your future could be, and you are going to be bright and shining. "
Lord Dante's tearful brown eyes glowed in a golden hue as he took her hands. "But Sana, you'll never see that future unless you shed this shell you're hiding in and allow yourself to be cherished and cared for like you've always deserved," he said, squeezing her hands. "Can you promise me that?"
Sana nodded as tears rolled down her cheeks. She'd forgotten what it felt like to be in Dante's presence and feel the comfort of his fatherly aura that always filled her with courage. "I-I can try, but I need you to promise me something too."
"Of course, Sana. I'll promise you anything."
"Don't... don't disappear again," she said, squeezing his hands. "You're the only family I have besides Uma."
Lord Dante nodded. "I promise you I'll make every effort to be part of your life from now on. I'll always be here for you whenever you need," he said, hugging her. "But your family is here, Sana," he whispered. "You just need to find it in your heart to let them in."
"I will," she murmured. "Thank you and I...I forgive you."
"I don't deserve your forgiveness, Sana, but thank you," he said, pulling away from her as he tugged a handkerchief from his robes and handed it to her. "I'm glad I could finally have this talk with you."
"And I'm... I'm glad you're here," Sana said, dabbing her cheeks and a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "How long are you staying?"
"Just until tomorrow."
"Oh." Sana's heart sank. "I was hoping you'd be here a little longer."
"I'm afraid I can't. I have matters to attend to at home, but it was important that I brought the stones to mend the wall and speak to you, of course," he said.
"But while I'm still here, why don't we spend the rest of this day together?
I'd love nothing more than to see the life you're creating and know what makes you happy. "
Sana's heart bloomed at his sentiment and hope unfurled in her veins as she hugged Lord Dante like the father she wished she had. "I'd like that."
A/N: On one hand, I'm glad Sana has someone she can confide in as I think she needs this to help her feel comfortable in her new life, but on the other hand, I'm kind of annoyed that Lord Dante almost gaslighted her about her mother.
He said she did what she had to and on day she'd understand, but never elaborated and quickly moved from that to encourage Sana that he'd seen her bright and shining future ??Don't get me wrong, I think Dante absolutely need to tell Sana about herself and that she needed to learn to trust those around her in order to be the best of herself but.
...when is anyone going to tell her the truth about herself?
I dunno, Little Bees, what do you think of Lord Dante? And what do you think of Rhyel's little intimate display? He's never done anything like that...????