Worlds of Waves and Shadows

Thirty Six

"Zorian." She nodded in the way of a greeting as Cassiopeia stepped into her brother's lavish bed-chamber.

"Sister." He returned, "Always a pleasure."

She let out a low chuckle, "And don't I know it."

The King laughed, relaxing visibly, "Is that supposed to be a taunt for not visiting?"

"For always making me come to you first, yes." She grinned in response, "It was partially why I was immensely surprised when I heard you called for me."

Zorian nodded slowly, a soft smile playing at his lips, "Fair enough. Would this one-of-their-kind Kladium set, make up for it by any chance?"

Cassiopeia stared at the sparkling phlox jewels, heart soaring. They sat there, glimmering aggressively against the rich navy velvet. A statement pink, rare enough to adorn her body. It beckoned her, almost as if the exotic set was screaming for her touch, begging to be in her possession.

"Hardly!" She widened her eyes in mock-anger, earning a beam from Zorian.

He knew damn well that she was already won over.

"Come." Her older brother patted the golden seat beside him.

Cassiopeia sat down, eyes still fixated on the Kladium jewellery, inches away from her grasp, unlike her brother, who sat a million miles above her, on a seat she could not touch, let alone have.

She sighed inwardly, longing burning hot within her heart.

The throne...

How she desired to sit on that milky cathedra but her only fault was being born a woman, younger than the son. That and the fact that her mother was nothing but a lowly servant of the Queen, their father's lawful wife.

"Tell me brother, what's on your mind." She urged, looking into his tired amber stare, years of pain, heartbreak and overwhelming responsibility swirling within.

"Shefali....." He began, shadows flitting across his face, eyes darkening.

Her eyes widened ever so slightly.

Cassiopeia hadn't heard that name in a while. Not even the shadows whispered of her anymore. It had been a long time since she had thought of her. That was probably why her heart almost stopped when her brother continued, "She's alive."

"What!?"

How could this be possible? She had watched her die. Cassiopeia had-

"And that girl, Kaenisa?"

"The one with amber eyes?" She asked, dread piling within her.

"She's her daughter."

"What!? Who's the father!? You?"

"There is a probability, yes. But not a very glaring one at that." Zorian mumbled, light glinting off his face, hard and set in something like a shameful, frustrated expression as he looked away.

Cassiopeia sighed, "If not you then who?"

"The only other men who could have sired her were Althron or Cazek...."

"Zorian...." She clucked, "Why would you even suspect our deceased old brother. He probably died a virgin."

Her brother gave a dark chuckle, "That is probably correct."

Silence filled the bedroom, somehow managing to suffocate her despite its spacy architecture.

A million thoughts ran through her mind, choking her with a sense of exasperation that she hadn't felt in quite a while.