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Authors: Scarlet Hyacinth
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from the king. We’ll just mention it in the right ears before we tell him. Byron and I haven’t been idle in the past year.
We’ve prepared ourselves for all possible outcomes, including a war.”
Looking at Skylar’s face, Winter wondered what in the world he’d
gotten himself into. Clearly, Skylar had more than one card up his
sleeve. It was quite likely that King Sterling would end up in a poor position because of Winter’s choice. His uncle would be furious once
he found out about this. But as he leaned against Corbin, Winter
thought it just might be worth it.
The Lynx Who Purred for a Sidhe Prince
53
Chapter Four
There was nothing King Sterling Tomacelli hated more than being
forced into a certain course of action. He’d always appreciated
freedom, something which, sadly, people from the royal family never
benefited from. But what irked him more was that what little freedom
he did have had been taken from his hands by a higher power.
The Oracle gave him a kind, yet stern look with her sightless eyes.
When she spoke, her lips didn’t move. “Things are in motion, King
Sterling. Your envoy has not accomplished his task, and the future
that we attempted to build is gone.”
Sterling sighed. A part of him didn’t regret that too much, but he
knew it was unfair. He had a responsibility to his late brother, a
responsibility to protect Winter, even from himself. Unfortunately, he couldn’t exactly explain that to Winter as the existence of the Oracle represented a well-guarded secret only the king and his consort were
privy to. She did not even have a physical manifestation, but rather, was more like a banshee, giving the current leader of the nation the
gift of foresight. And Winter would never believe him if Sterling said he’d suddenly had a vision from the Gods.
Not to mention that his dear nephew had become resentful
because Sterling had taken over the throne. Sterling wished he could
have been kinder with Winter, given him more affection after his
brother had died, but circumstances had not allowed it. Winter looked so much like his parents that it was very hard for Sterling to even be in his presence, not to mention that the hostile elements who’d been
behind the assassination of the two royals still existed. Those who’d 54
Scarlet Hyacinth
actually killed the two had been dealt with, but the brains of the
operation had never been found.
“Advise me, Great One,” he told the Oracle, the pain inside him
growing as he looked at her sweet face. “What should I do? I don’t
want Winter to suffer.”
“I know you don’t. Sending him to the shifters was a good first
step, and while his choices will carry him down a dark path, he will be loved. ” She gave him a look full of caring and compassion. “For
as long as he lives.”
“Is there no way to avoid it, Oracle?”
“Had you wed Shea Cunningham, Winter would have been spared
that pain. But the future is not yet completely written. I can see the darkness of his death, but it is clouded. I do not know its source. You must stand by his side now and support him in any way you can. Your
future, and his, are not lost.”
Sterling rubbed his eyes tiredly. “I should have never told him to
steal Shea. He’ll never trust me now.”
The Oracle offered him a small smile. “Be patient. His choice
earned him a place in the shifter household. It would have been better if he’d retrieved the child, yes, or rather, safer. But there is still hope.
Do not despair.”
Even with the Oracle’s encouragement, it was hard to keep
composure when he knew how badly he’d failed Winter. The Sidhe
was so young and had no idea what filth hid behind the façade of
royalty. Alas, Sterling had to keep of the pretense of aloofness and purism. If he didn’t, royal blood or not, he would end up like his elder brother. And then where would Winter be?
Sterling clung to the thought that the Oracle would not lie to him
and
We’ve prepared ourselves for all possible outcomes, including a war.”
Looking at Skylar’s face, Winter wondered what in the world he’d
gotten himself into. Clearly, Skylar had more than one card up his
sleeve. It was quite likely that King Sterling would end up in a poor position because of Winter’s choice. His uncle would be furious once
he found out about this. But as he leaned against Corbin, Winter
thought it just might be worth it.
The Lynx Who Purred for a Sidhe Prince
53
Chapter Four
There was nothing King Sterling Tomacelli hated more than being
forced into a certain course of action. He’d always appreciated
freedom, something which, sadly, people from the royal family never
benefited from. But what irked him more was that what little freedom
he did have had been taken from his hands by a higher power.
The Oracle gave him a kind, yet stern look with her sightless eyes.
When she spoke, her lips didn’t move. “Things are in motion, King
Sterling. Your envoy has not accomplished his task, and the future
that we attempted to build is gone.”
Sterling sighed. A part of him didn’t regret that too much, but he
knew it was unfair. He had a responsibility to his late brother, a
responsibility to protect Winter, even from himself. Unfortunately, he couldn’t exactly explain that to Winter as the existence of the Oracle represented a well-guarded secret only the king and his consort were
privy to. She did not even have a physical manifestation, but rather, was more like a banshee, giving the current leader of the nation the
gift of foresight. And Winter would never believe him if Sterling said he’d suddenly had a vision from the Gods.
Not to mention that his dear nephew had become resentful
because Sterling had taken over the throne. Sterling wished he could
have been kinder with Winter, given him more affection after his
brother had died, but circumstances had not allowed it. Winter looked so much like his parents that it was very hard for Sterling to even be in his presence, not to mention that the hostile elements who’d been
behind the assassination of the two royals still existed. Those who’d 54
Scarlet Hyacinth
actually killed the two had been dealt with, but the brains of the
operation had never been found.
“Advise me, Great One,” he told the Oracle, the pain inside him
growing as he looked at her sweet face. “What should I do? I don’t
want Winter to suffer.”
“I know you don’t. Sending him to the shifters was a good first
step, and while his choices will carry him down a dark path, he will be loved. ” She gave him a look full of caring and compassion. “For
as long as he lives.”
“Is there no way to avoid it, Oracle?”
“Had you wed Shea Cunningham, Winter would have been spared
that pain. But the future is not yet completely written. I can see the darkness of his death, but it is clouded. I do not know its source. You must stand by his side now and support him in any way you can. Your
future, and his, are not lost.”
Sterling rubbed his eyes tiredly. “I should have never told him to
steal Shea. He’ll never trust me now.”
The Oracle offered him a small smile. “Be patient. His choice
earned him a place in the shifter household. It would have been better if he’d retrieved the child, yes, or rather, safer. But there is still hope.
Do not despair.”
Even with the Oracle’s encouragement, it was hard to keep
composure when he knew how badly he’d failed Winter. The Sidhe
was so young and had no idea what filth hid behind the façade of
royalty. Alas, Sterling had to keep of the pretense of aloofness and purism. If he didn’t, royal blood or not, he would end up like his elder brother. And then where would Winter be?
Sterling clung to the thought that the Oracle would not lie to him
and
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