Violet Dreams

Chapter 48

"She says she doesn't want to see him", Azriel stated stoically from the dining room entrance.

Arabella sighed running a hand through her hair. Nyx and the High Lord of Autumn looked at her expectedly.

"Cassian is currently trying to convince her, but when I left she was armed with a book", Azriel continued.

Eris stood from his chair, "if she doesn't want to I won't force her".

"No, Eris please stay", Arabella insisted, "she agreed to it yesterday, she's just second guessing herself".

"I can come back another day", Eris said calmly, "for all we know I'm not her father".

"Sit down", Nyx said casually, "it's important you meet her nonetheless".

Arabella took a deep breath, "Azriel, please keep trying, I don't want to force her, but if there is anyway you can convince her that would be-"

Arabella couldn't finish her sentence before a very pregnant Bronwyn waltzed into the room, a sore looking Cassian behind her. Bronwyn had an awkward smile on her face as everyone stared at her. Eris, who was still standing, cleared his throat.

"You must be Bronwyn", he stated awkwardly.

Arabella tried hard not to cringe as it was clear; neither of them were ready to talk about this. However, as the weeks passed and the baby's due date got closer, Arabella had to force them to take action.

"You must be Eris", Bronwyn gritted out before Azriel coaxed her to sit in a chair.

The tension in the room was expanding by the second and Arabella had no idea how to diffuse it. It was important that these two could remain civil, blood-relation or not, this baby would be powerful and potentially raised by several courts.

"Look", Arabella began, "I understand this is probably very strange for both of you, but we are here to discuss the child, if you'd like to figure out your relation than you can do that in your free time".

Eris made a sound of relief before he slouched in his chair. Though Arabella would never admit it, she noticed Bronwyn's pained expression at Eris' sigh. Maybe the girl did want some sort of paternal figure, no matter how much she pretended she didn't.

"The child will be incredibly powerful. We have to decide which court it shall grow up in", Nyx continued, clearing the air for Arabella.

"Mine. Clearly", Eris replied smoothly.

Like a switch, out came the cunning King of Autumn.

Arabella sighed, "and why would you say that?"

"You and Nyx will make plenty powerful children that you can raise in your own courts. This one is mine", Eris gestured crudely.

Bronwyn scoffed, "oh gee, thanks for letting me have a say".

Eris opened his arms, gesturing as if to say 'the floor is yours'. Bronwyn briefly narrowed her eyes at him before continuing her speech.

"If I'm honest", Bronwyn began, "I fucking hate kids, and this was only the result of my poverty-"

"-the Dawn Court economy-", Eris tisked

"-SHUT UP!" Bronwyn interrupted again, "as I was saying, I don't want to see this kid again once it is born. But, I have one small request".

Arabella frowned but motioned for Bronwyn to continue.

"It will not be brought up in a court of manipulators and liars", she seethed, baring her teeth at Eris.

Eris slammed his fist on the table, "if you don't want the kid then it's not your decision!"

Bronwyn smirked, unfazed by the fire in Eris' eyes, "you don't have the best track record with raising children. I'd say it's only fair that the best equipped get the child".

"You dare compare me to my father", he hissed.

"You don't think there was a reason my mother ran away from your court? Be honest, Eris, the child will get stolen before it can take its first steps".

"I will protect it like my own".

Bronwyn scoffed, "brilliant job you've done".

Arabella could feel the room heating to unearthly temperatures, she quickly signalled to Azriel and Cassian to stand by.

"Maybe we should take a breather", Nyx stated, standing up and trying to calm the situation, "yelling won't solve anything, let's regroup in ten minutes".

But neither Bronwyn nor Eris wanted to back down.

"I didn't even know you existed!" Eris protested, "you're probably the many spawn of one of my brothers".

"I'd rather be one of theirs than one of yours!"

Eris scoffed, "oh I wouldn't get too cocky, you haven't met them yet. I'm sure they will manipulate you to hate me".

"I already do hate you and I've known you for less than ten minutes!" Bronwyn yelled.

Arabella and Nyx looked at each other, now Bronwyn's eyes were turning red like Eris'. The one thought in Arabella's mind was; does she know how to use her powers? Is the House of Wind about to erupt in flames?

"Watch your tone, kid!" Eris growled.

"You don't get to call me kid! I've had to mature far faster than anyone else in this room because of you!"

"We don't know if you're mine! Stop speaking like I've thrown you in the Dawn Court and left you to die!"

"YOU ARE MY FATHER ERIS!" Bronwyn screamed, causing all of them to freeze, "I know because my mother told me before she died".

Eris' eyes narrowed, searching for a lie.

"You knew this whole time?" Arabella asked in disbelief.

"Of course I've known", Bronwyn sighed, "you don't grow up with red hair like mine and think you were born in the Dawn Court".

"Explain", Nyx commanded.

"I was a little pest when I was a kid, several times a day I'd accidentally light the curtains on fire. My mother had no idea how to control me, but being honest was a good start. It helped me understand the importance of keeping my abilities secret".

"So, you know you're Eris' daughter?"

She nodded, "I have since I was little. I always wondered what it would be like to meet him, I've been disappointed".

Eris blinked in surprise, "I'm your father?"

Bronwyn sighed, "clearly. My mother was Sloane, if that helps jog your memory".

Eris' lip twitched into a smile, "mmm" he hummed, "that woman did hate me".

"Yeah, she did", Bronwyn said fondly.

"I've always wanted a daughter", Eris mumbled, more to himself if anything.

Bronwyn didn't say anything, but she seemed to grow uncomfortable by the statement. Emotions were clearly not her thing.

"You'd be my oldest", Eris stated in thought, and then, as if it seemed to hit him all at once he shouted, "OH MY GOD IM A GRANDFATHER!"

Arabella glared at Cassian's choked laugh.

"We will leave you two to talk", Nyx said as he ushered Cassian and Azriel out of the room, Arabella followed closely behind.

Truth was; Arabella didn't mind where the child ended up, just that it was safe. If Eris wanted to become the paternal figure Bronwyn needed then Arabella didn't mind them going to the Autumn Court.