Celestial Gardens(The Last Star Trilogy #2)

Chapter 13

I'm glad the others hadn't told me about this little reunion because if they had I would've never walked in here and I never would've shown my anger. I kept looking at Alfred for confirmation, as if I thought I was the only one who could see my father standing there. I took a seat across from him with my clenched fists hidden under the table. There was a long pause. 

What a nice family reunion. All three Virgos in the same room. Since Granny was married in she doesn't really count as a Virgo and honestly I didn't miss her no more than I missed Dad. When was the last time the three of us had been together? My mind flashed back to the night I had first met Alfred. Look where that got me, I smiled at the thought. Alfred cleared his throat loudly, snapping me back to reality.

"How are you, Annabelle?" Dad asked.

"I'm fine," I answered casually.

He took his gloves off slowly. Something shiny flashed on his finger but I couldn't tell what it was. he smelled like home but also like he hadn't had a shower in days.

"I've come to take you home." he said.

"What home?" I snapped.

He opened his mouth to say something but I cut him off. "How did you even find Crimsyn State?"

"It wasn't easy, this place isn't even on the map!" he exclaimed.

Alfred let out a sound somewhere between a snort and a laugh. I couldn't help but laugh.

"Do you really expect a rebel hideout to be on the map?" Alfred teased. Dad lowered his head.

"No, I don't." he defended. "But did you honestly think Eloise wouldn't have told me about it?"

The whole room fell silent again. Alfred and I both glared at him. I was more shocked than angry, I've never heard him say her name before.

"She did but you wouldn't listen," Alfred raged.

"I went through her belongings and I read her journal. She wrote all about this place and I found it." Dad told. He said 'this place' as if one would say this dump. That made me even more mad.

"I've come to take you home. I have been driving for three days. No one knows I'm here so if you want me to stay out of anymore trouble you'll come with me."

"If Annabelle wants to stay you will not force her." Alfred stated.

"And what am I supposed to tell the king? He's given me so many threats already." Then he turned to me. "Annabelle, Alec is waiting for you. You have to come back."

"No," I insisted.

"Why don't you tell her the real reason you're here to collect her?" Alfred asked Dad. What are they hiding from me.

Dad hesitated. After a long pause, he responded, "I got married to Hope Ursa major. We weren't compatible, I had to get special permission from the king. He agreed. After the ceremony he asked for you in exchange. I tried to argue but he wouldn't listen."

He explained quickly, as if he wanted to get it over with. I couldn't believe what he was saying. I still needed proof.

"You're lying to me," I said.

He knew what I was asking for. It's the one thing I look at the first time I meet someone. Looking at their Signs, knowing their Constellations helps me determine their personality before even speaking with them. He rolled up his sleeve, revealing the Ursa major symbol on his left hand. I almost gasped instead I averted my eyes because just above that symbol was the Ophiuchus Sign he had gotten from mom, and I couldn't see another one with that.