A Tale of: The Widow and The Crown

Four: Stunned

Stunned.

Only on one other occasion had Anastasia felt so- so- so, well, shocked. That night three years ago, flames roaring, noose hanging, and water flooding, her eyes had never seen such chaos-

Yet, her name was called.

"Anastasia Delveinn," Said the hauntingly beautiful Fae with grey skin and white hair, her eyes of ivory did not know the fear they had caused; Lorcan felt heat rise in his body at the very thought of his girl going through whatever hell-like task that would be secretly presented. Lorcan knew just how tough Anna is, had been, and will be, but he also knew how delicate she can be...

His now sapphire blue eyes drifted to his beauty, her skin paled, eyes wide, and lips split in either worry or shock as goosebumps tattooed onto her skin; she looked almost like a corpse.

"Delcan Troveahper,"

No.

Anastasia relaxed just a tad at the name, her unrelated older brother would help her on this journey, but as her eyes passed by Lorcan she stiffened; red painted his cheeks and flames sparked behind those dark blue eyes. She knew how dangerous he could be, has been, and quite possibly be soon. Delcan, on the other hand, was excited and always up for a new challenge; big or small, easy or hard - he would accomplish whatever was in store.

Another random name was called, but Anna and Delcan didn't hear who it was as they both looked at each other, then Lorcan.

"Lorcan," Delcan spoke softly, quietly, and slowly; like a prey talking to a predator. Delcan's brown brows quirked up as he leaned in towards his brother, Anastasia bit her lip as she watched the scene in front of her unfurl. "This is just another job, now is not the time to be angered,"

Black shadows crept up and over Lorcan's body.

Placing a soft hand upon Lorcan's, Anastasia gently gave his hand a small squeeze as if to say 'I'm here and I'll be fine.' Lorcan instantly met her stormy grey eyes and relaxed his tight posture when he saw the fear in her eyes, nervousness in her lip biting, and worry in her much too beautiful face; he placed his other hand over the top of hers.

"We ask of the chosen to meet in the Royal Gardens tomorrow at noon," The announcer spoke clearly again, Delcan making a mental note of each council member and their, or what he assumed to be, born Fae power. One of wind, one of nature, two of water, and the other two Declan wasn't for sure what type of power they possessed but he'd find out soon enough, working for those you don't know, don't understand, is a fool's errand and Delcan was no fool; not anymore.

The council all stood and walked back from wherever they came; King Aarush stood.

"Thank you," Anger underlaced every word, glance, and fake smile. "For coming tonight, Fae of Darkness. Dinner, dancing, and tonight's events are now complete," Throwing not even a mere glance towards the crowd, King Aarush turned on his heel and walked out of the grand ballroom leaving most of the Fae with raised eyebrows, eyerolls, and those who were ready to get the hell out of there.

And what a long ride back it was.

*

"Promise me that no matter what you'll keep her safe," Lorcan pleaded to his older brother later that night, unaware that Anastasia could hear him from her spot where she was supposedly "sleeping" in his bed; big, heavy blue blankets that had Lorcan's citrus scent written all over them, consumed Anna. Moonlight leaked in from underneath the closed curtains, a small sliver of light crept passed the almost shut door.

"Of course I will, but you have to remember that she is her own person and can handle her own shit," Delcan barked back only for his younger brother to sigh and run a hand through his hair.

"But she- Gawh!" A bang, clatter, and an 'oh shit' passed before Lorcan started again. "I can't... I can't lose her, Delcan," Oh so very rare it was for the brothers to call each other by their birth names. Anna let a shaky breath go, her once pounding head now calm and her heart still raced; the brothers fighting or start of the secret mission, she wasn't sure what worried her more.

"I understand and yes, I will look out for Anna. But she is not ours. Somewhere in the world her mate is waiting for her, wants to protect her, love her so I suggest that you take the time now to let her go," Delcan argued back, how could Anna sleep with so much noise?

"Don't you dare,"

"What? Speak the truth?"

"And what if she doesn't have a mate?" It is possible... "What if she doesn't find herself a mate? Then what?"

"And what if you find your mate?" Delcan pressed, he never missed a beat. "Will you discard Anna and run off with your mate?"

Silence.

With a heavy sigh, Delcan spoke for the last time that night; his voice now softer and Anna strained to hear. "Lorcan, either way you have to understand that in the end, you two will not be together... Let her go now and save yourself from heartache later,"