fury's daughter

I know when someone lies and you aren't. It's not really my place to judge your father and how he handles the fact his entire family is complete again just like he had wanted in the first place, but at least you can agree he's been more than just rash and unwelcoming. I've personally lived with the worst possible torment you can imagine, Finnian, but you don't see me rejecting those around me for the fact I couldn't process my emotional imbalance like he has. Wait...Valentin is a First? Uh, yeah, so, little wolfie hasn't mentioned that tiny nugget of information. My mother will keep adding to the family if she has a say, however, I hope you are one of those eager to return Marina. My brother is extremely fond of her and would love her back as soon as possible. Can you make that happen?

I wouldn't be surprised if I could at this point.

There comes a point where someone needs to draw the line between hoarding books just to obtain them and actually liking them. I can guarantee that none of these have been cracked open in the last few centuries, with the intense musty smell that's coming off of them.

Keep in mind a vast difference between the past and now, Valentin, Greed did not have my Auntie Alexia gauging what he should keep and what is deemed unnecessary. Some are kept not for their titles, but probably because he liked the way the cover looked. I won't rat you out if you pitched a few.

I suppose bad news every other day is like a vacation. That is very darkly ironic, but wholly accurate. It tells me everything I need to know... I'll let Nyrinn know I'm handling the conversation. I need you to promise me something, okay? You and Nyrinn do not let him out of your sight. He might do something, he might not, but I don't want any of you getting into danger.

It's a less shitty viewpoint on top of the already shitty viewpoint. My well-intentioned twin brother is his mother's son, in case you have not seen yourself in him, he'll without a doubt feed his own temptation by doing something he shouldn't to save a friend he held dear. Fine, Mom, Rinn and I will keep a close watch on him. I promise.

If we're lost together, at least I know someone will need my assistance with something and will track me down. So at least we'll be saved.

Hm, right, and maybe your First Heir aura will provide some kind of compass leading us the way out if all else fails.

The sad part of the world we live in is that there may be bad news around every corner– but hopefully not any time soon, so we don't have to subject Rinn to that. I will, I know how much Marina means to your brother.

I'm not disappointed by that fact, Mom, we lived and breathed bad news on the daily. Suppose Rinn doesn't need to be our sacrificial lamb which is darkly ironic. They were inseparable if that tells you anything.

I won't tattle just in case it's not fine– just forget I'm here. Unless I go missing, then you should do me a favor and find me somewhere in this maze.

Plausible deniability, got it. You think in a castle this expansive, I would know where I'm going? I get lost pretty much every single day, so you might be on your own.

Forgive me for staying out of the current issues, but there's not much I can do other than lend an ear.

Now that you aren't wallowing from your undoubted complicated feelings about the sperm donor, are you technically considered my brother now or were you technically Ric's replacement? Not being a sarcastic bitch, it's a genuine question.

As appealing as it is to shove off the responsibility to someone else, I can't do that to Rinn. I'll talk to Ulric; he deserves to hear it from me.

If Rinn can handle marrying into this family, then he knows sometimes the responsibility breaking bad news to his future husband rests on him. Ric will feel it coming, but do it gently.

I'm not going to let you do it, Estella– it should come to me, but I selfishly don't know if I can handle another onslaught of emotions at the moment.

Well, one of us out of everyone here should tell him, Mother. Unless there is one other person who could spill the beans if you ask nicely, like...Nyrinn.

You're living in a house previously owned by a stuck-up hoarder coveting the millions of books in existence. None are the fun kind.

So, who's going to be the one to break the news to Ulric?

My son has always been fascinated with magic, even from the moment that he could walk on his own, so he developed the next best thing to magic that he could. Valentin could get hit by a truck traveling at top speeds and be okay. His liver is basically made out of steel. You didn't stand a chance, but I know he has fashioned a cure over the years, so you're in good hands. Even if those hands got you to this position in the first place.

Where he holds no aptitude for magic, Valya more than makes up for his affinity for potions. What is alcohol if not a socially acceptable potion? He tends to forget that he has higher tolerances than most, so that does not make you weak.

Granted, I am not an alcohol or potion connoisseur, but I know his mixing is another form of magic not of this realm. Being part empathy witch means I'm a little susceptible to emotions, I did not think that also applied to my booze tolerance. He owes me a hangover cure.

I know that look anywhere. Valentin gave you his special brew, didn't he?

More than enough of it. I promised him I wasn't a weak bitch, but whatever he puts in that shit hits hard.