A Court of Heritance and Destiny

Chapter 11 Orion

His sisters and her mates' home was small. Or in relation to the fact that Ikarad was one of the Princes and Etera worked for the Spymaster with a paycheck that matched Orions, was it small. It became even more cramped as Etera, Ikarad, Azriel and Orion all had gathered in the living space. Etera had asked them all to meet there, far from the River Estate. Orion now followed his sister with a watchful eye. What information did she have to share with them? He tried to smell a change in her scent, but it was only the Forest mixed with Ikarads own scent. But if?

He had seen how devastated she had been that night, how she during the reminder day of Vegas birth and disappearance always had her own sorrow draped over her. And in the spring she always acted strange. But the room was not filled with tensions of excitement over happy news. No, a wet blanket of dread rested over the small home.

"I will need you all to remain quiet about this." Etera started, her voice monotone and thin. "We can't tell anyone about this." Orion sat down on the sofa, crossing his ankle over his knee, he waited.

"Why?" His father asked. Azriel had opted to stand, ready to leave if needed.

"I need you all to promise to not tell anyone." Etera said back, she looked exhausted. Orion saw how Ikarad stood close to her side, how his hand rested steadily on her hip. "It is that or a bargain."

"I promise." Orion spoke up, better to get it over with then wait any longer.

"Me too." Azriel confirmed. "Now, what is it?"

"I have done some solo operations." Etera sighed and walked away from her mate. "And my results gave some strange answers."

"You did what?" Azriel boomed, his shadows darkening. "What if you had been hurt? Or discovered!" Orion noticed how Ikarad moved his head in agreement. But the warrior did not look too upset.

"For two years now I have been visiting the Spring Court, trying to once and for all determine if Tamlin had anything to do with Vegas' disappearance." Orion took down his leg, resting his elbows on his knees instead. Holding his hands folded before his mouth. "And I found some interesting new leeds."

"You truly have a flare for the dramatics." Ikarad added, leaning on the back of a chair. "Tamlin has a daughter." Orion perked up.

"She was born in the winter after Vega, but he had kept her a secret. Understandably so." Etera added and walked back to her mate. "She is under the protection of Dorothea, a former priestess."

"That name..." Azriel drew a breath.

"She is one if Ianthes sisters." Orion only nodded at the revelation.

"Interesting."

"She is also a founder of the group of fanatics following a new way in the order." Etera sighed. "They moved from the Spring Court to the Middle that summer."

"And?" Azriel asked.

"And the priestess we learned about a few years ago, the one who crossed the border. She was one of them too."

"Who is the mother? Tamlin has no mate or wife to my knowledge?" Orion asked. "Or is it a foundling?"

"She looks to be a child born from Calanmai, the timing points to that. From what I have gathered it was Dorothea who took her to Tamlin. But not only that, she is engaged to Lord Escar."

"I feel sorry for her." Ikarad muterd. The name rang a bell in Orion's head.

Lord Escar, a former commander in Tamlins army, but after some well placed investments and trades he had become a new Lord. Earning the title just a few decades ago.