Chapter 46: Disowned

Emeric woke slowly.

The healing hall was quiet. Faint light filtered through the high windows. His body still ached, but the poison was gone. He could breathe again. Think again.

He turned his head to see Isolde was beside him. She was no longer on the bed with him.

When did he drift off ?

She sat in her chair, pulled close to the bed. Her head had fallen to the side, resting awkwardly on her shoulder. She had fallen asleep watching over him.

He watched her for a moment, the way her chest rose and fell. The way her hair had come loose from its braid. Her hand still rested on the edge of his bed, reaching for him even in her sleep.

He reached out and touched her fingers, making her stir.

"Emeric?"

"I’m here."

She straightened, her groggy expression looking cute.

"You’re awake."

Nyxie stirred on the pillow beside him.

The small voidling stretched, yawned and blinked up at Isolde with her large, dark eyes.

Isolde stared.

"What is that?"

Emeric looked at Nyxie, then at Isolde.

He realized he never showed her. Nyxie had been tucked in his backpack. She must have crawled out of the backpack and snuggled close to him while they were asleep.

"I found her."

"You found her?" ℯℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"In the forest. During the Hunt." He paused. "She’s mine now. I’m taking care of her."

Isolde’s eyes narrowed. "You found a creature in the forest and decided to keep it?"

"She’s harmless."

"She’s staring at me."

Nyxie tilted her head, letting out a small growling sound.

Isolde’s expression softened slightly.

"What is she?"

"I don’t know yet. Something rare, I think." He reached out, stroking Nyxie’s small head. "Her name is Nyxie."

Nyxie chirped again, excited this time. Then she hopped off the pillow, landing on the bed. Walked across the blanket toward Isolde.

Isolde watched her approach. Her hands rested on the arms of her chair.

Nyxie stopped at the edge of the bed, looked up at Isolde then she climbed onto her lap.

Isolde froze.

Nyxie curled up, closing her eyes. Made a small, purring sound.

Emeric watched.

"She likes you."

Isolde looked down at the small creature in her lap. Her hand hovered. Then, slowly, she touched Nyxie’s back.

Nyxie purred louder.

Isolde’s lips twitched into a small smile.

"She’s... warm."

"She likes to cuddle."

"Of course she does."

They sat in silence for a moment. Isolde stroking Nyxie.

Then Isolde spoke.

"You should rest."

"I’ve been resting."

"You should rest more."

He stopped, his eyes moved to the door.

The voices outside were louder and more insistent now.

They had not left. Emeric could see Isolde’s jaw tightening from trying to hide her annoyance.

Emeric pushed himself up.

His body protested, his muscles ached but forced himself to sit first and then stand.

"What are you doing?" Isolde asked.

"Something’s going on out there."

"It’s nothing."

"Isolde."

She didn’t meet his eyes as if she was ashamed.

"Isolde. What’s going on?"

She was quiet.

He walked to the door. His legs were unsteady but he leaned against the frame.

The hallway was narrow with stone walls and dim lights. At the far end, near the entrance to the healing hall, stood three figures.

Lord Rowan. Isolde’s father and a woman beside him.

She had sharp and high cheekbones, piercing eyes. The woman was dressed in fine silk.

He walked closer and realized who she was. Lady Marisse. Isolde’s aunt. He had seen her once before.

And between them, a young man. Isolde’s brother. He stood with his arms crossed. His face was blank.

They were arguing and their voices carried through the hall in sequence.

"—cannot continue like this—"

"—the family has a reputation—"

"—she is your daughter—"

"—she is a liability—"

Emeric felt the words like a blow.

Isolde wheeled up beside him and he knew she had heard them too.

Her face was pale but her hands gripped the wheels of her chair, staring directly at them.

She wheeled past him, towards where they stood.

"Isolde—" Emeric started.

But she was already moving.

Lord Rowan turned, his eyes landing on his daughter. Then on Emeric. Then back to his daughter.

"Isolde."

"Father."

The greeting was flat and empty, devoid of any form of warmth that a father and daughter would have.

But this type of coldness was no news to him.

Lady Marisse stepped forward with a thin and pretentious smile.

"Dear. You shouldn’t be up. You should be resting."

"I’m fine."

"You don’t look fine." Lady Marisse’s eyes swept over her. Glancing at her chair and noticing her trembling hands. "You look like you’ve been through quite an ordeal."

"What do you want?"

The question landed like a slap in her face, making her take a step back.

Lord Rowan cleared his throat, calling the attention back to him.

"We need to talk."

"Then talk."

He was quiet for a brief moment then he spoke.

"You and your husband were meant to live a quiet life. That was the arrangement. You were to stay out of sight. Out of the public eye. Not draw attention to yourselves."

Isolde said nothing.

"But you have done the opposite." His voice was sharp. "First, the duel now this business with the hunt. You are making gossip on every lips Isolde. You are drawing attention to this family. Attention we cannot afford."

"Attention you don’t want."

"Attention that threatens everything we have built."

She stared at him and her hands were visibly shaking more than before.

"So what are you saying?"

Lady Marisse spoke and her voice carried a silk sweetness that was both sickening and nauseating. "We are saying that the Rowan family can no longer be associated with you. Or your husband."

Silence.

"You’re disowning me."

"We are severing ties." Lord Rowan said flatly. "You will no longer be recognized as a member of House Rowan. You will not use our name. You will not claim our protection. You will not contact us."

"And if I do?"

"You will be treated as a stranger."