Olis stiffened. And visibly the color began to drain from his face. He was as pale as a ghost, actually, it seemed like he had just seen a ghost. Perhaps he had, the proud man would never admit it but those conflicting feelings of shame and duty (duty! Of all things!) had come tumbling back.
Because the truth of the matter was that Olis had loved his little sister, dearly. His father was a absolute dick. In Olis’ biased opinion, he had treated Ari much softer than his father would have. In some sick way, Olis believed that he had outran his father’s shadow, but those memories proved otherwise.
“My dear?” Galatea whispered. Her head inclined to where Olis was standing. “My poor dear,” she murmured, moreso to herself. Ironic, she didn’t seem shocked by this fact. Most likely due to the fact that Olis had purposely blinded her when she killed his mate from using her foresight. The ultimate act of love between the two of them. Galatea could only dream in colors but that was a much kinder punishment that had befallen her compared to being condemned for murder and used for who knew what.
“So you’re blackmailing your own father, Aranhil?” Olis said, looking from Siobhan to direct his livid gaze at his youngest son. “Your own family? You’ll ruin your own future for some bitch?” Aranhil’s green-hazel eyes narrowed.
“
I’d be careful what I’d call Siobhan.” He warned. The air in the room seemed to ripple, the only indicator that Ari was actually quite upset by his father’s words despite his level tone.
“No one will believe you.” Olis said.
“
Oh, I think they will. The Lusce family has a lot of sway here. If anything, I’m sure General Lusce and General Saang Lusce will be pleased to have a reason to not associate with the Voronwe family upon finding this out. I’m sure the sisters would be forgiven for not having gone with a family that could tarnish their reputation.” Fae politics hadn’t been something Aranhil dabbled in often, but even he knew how important appearances were. Especially in Night Court.
“
Maybe Tulok will take our family in when we’re shunned…” Aranhil added. The final blow. He didn’t know the details but there had been a major disagreement with his family and the prince, years ago before Aranhil was even allowed to start sitting in on family business meetings.
“You know, Aranhil,” Olis said slowly, “Your mother and I always disagreed about only one thing about you.” Galatea frowned and took her husband’s hand. She knew what he was going to say, and it was evident she did not want him to say it. “We both agreed that you couldn’t be beaten into submission. You’d always do whatever you wanted, there was no cage that could ever hold you. You’re selfish and arrogant. She thought that was a good thing, thought that it meant you’d always keep moving forward and would never give up. I knew better.” The older man sighed.
“You’re a
monster. Just like
him.” Aranhil didn’t need clarification to know who his father was referring to. Olis then lifted Galatea up, and looked at Aranhil one final time. “Do whatever you want. There’s no point in trying to stop you.
Monsters can’t be tamed.” He brushed out past Aranhil and Siobhan, looking at Siobhan as he said his final sentence, leaving the study. Galatea’s favored
sidhe followed behind them.
Siobhan Voronwe
