by Sam Argent
“Because we can only stand each other for one day. Someone will ruin it before the night ends,” Diana promised.
“But we don’t try to be nice during the rest of the year,” Sebastian said.
“The two of you can barely stand a whole day of everyone’s company,” Lady Orwell interrupted them. “Off by yourselves as usual.”
Diana crossed her arms defiantly. “You found us quickly, so we didn’t wander off far enough.”
“When are you going to bring a companion to meet Richard?” Lady Orwell engaged her daughter since Diana had broken the unwritten truce.
“Bringing a consort to meet you would only drive off the sane ones.”
Lady Orwell sighed. “That means never.”
Diana looked thoughtfully at their mother. “When one of us passes again, are you going to care as much as you did with Richard?”
Sebastian’s eyes widened. “Wait, I think that’s a little harsh.”
“Of course you do, Sebastian. You married into royalty and you’re beautiful. She’ll probably miss you the most. Maybe James as second, but the rest of us.” Diana shook her head. “I do wonder.”
Lady Orwell laughed. “Since this is our day of honesty, I’ll let you in on a few secrets. I loved Richard, but he wasn’t my favorite.” She glanced at the rest of the Orwells sitting and enjoying each other’s company. “The reason I married your father was for this type of life. Back home, I was expected to sit on a mantle looking pretty and have many beautiful children.”
“I’m sorry we disappointed you,” Diana said bitterly.
“You misunderstand, child. I’m happy that most of you turned out to look like your father. I hated home and its expectations. And I hated everything that reminded me of it.” Lady Orwell turned her identical green eyes onto Sebastian. “The reason why I was absent for your younger years is because I resented you. Honestly, I didn’t believe I could love you after you were first presented to me. All I saw when I looked at you was home.”
Sebastian’s chest tightened even though he had constantly told himself he never wanted his parents’ approval. He didn’t expect his mother to hate him.
“But then the oddest thing happened. Out of all my little ones, you turned out the most like your father.”
Sebastian gasped. “I’m nothing like him!”
Lady Orwell smiled. “A bookish boy who crawled into his father’s library at four and finished it by twelve.” She laughed. “You even scheme to keep the family together like he does. There was no way I couldn’t love you, and you became my second favorite.” Lady Orwell turned to Diana. “The thing I fear the most is boredom, and with you, I am anything but. You were feisty the moment you were born, and you remind me of the parts of myself that gave me the courage to defy my clan. I will win our battle of wills by telling you my greatest secret. You, Diana, are the child I’ve always loved the most.” Lady Orwell stepped forward and kissed her on the cheek. “You are the daughter who is wholly mine without a single touch of the fey in you, and I wouldn’t have you any other way.” She left her two stunned children to rejoin the rest of the Orwells.
“I am not like Father,” Sebastian whispered again.
“I am… I am not like her!” Diana sniffled out and Sebastian watched his sister in shock.
“Are you crying?”
“No!” she wailed and ran away.
Lady Orwell smirked over her second piece of pie as Sebastian shook his head. “She fights dirtier than a wounded dragon. Gods, why have you put me in this insane family?”
CHARACTER LIST
ORWELL FAMILY:
Lord Caspian Orwell, husband of Lady Cynthia Orwell
- Caspian has some supernatural in him, and is able to do magic
- Cynthia is part fey and has inhuman strength and other skills.
Children (in order of birth):
- James, married to Ellie (wizard)
o James has inhuman strength
o Child: Girl (seer)
o James and Ellie own an inn
- Kevin, husband of Luke (part human and incubus)
o Kevin has inhuman strength
- Alice, wife of Mernon (the Black, a famous assassin)
o Alice has inhuman strength
o Children: 2 girls, 2 boys
o May
o Brennan
o Terrian
o Broden
- Diana (Apothecary with some magic)
- Demetrius
- Richard (wizard, Queen’s guard, deceased)
o Family mediator
- Ophelia (seer)
o In a relationship with Frederick Pasley
o Family mediator
- Rebecca, married to Emily (part human and undine)
o Both Rebecca and Emily are fencers
o Rebecca is Pratchett’s twin sister
- Pratchett
o Twin brother to Rebecca
- Kraven
o Third youngest
- Cecilia, married to Berados (part human and troll)
o Cecilia has inhuman strength
o Child: Mabel
- Sebastian (youngest, magic-blessed, and an earth elemental wizard)
ROYAL FAMILY:
King Harris and Queen Anne
Child: Prince Turren
King Harris’s cousin: Lord Frederick Pasley
King Harris’s bother: Former King Alchone who is living in banishment
- They all have magical powers.
ROYAL GUARDS:
Captain Pembrost
Lieutenant Adams
Sergeant Hooper
Sergeant Vendrix
Sergeant Bradley
Sergeant Thimbly
Sonny
VARIOUS MAGES:
Margaret
Lord Harold Bast
Trey Ausher (also an innkeeper)
CUSTOMERS OF HAROLD’S BOOKSHOP:
Mr. Jenkins
Ms. Crane
ANTAGONISTS – All trained under the wizard, Master Uvel, with Lord Orwell
Trenton Keyes
Dalia
Feoras
LARNLYON NOBLES:
Earl Grenwish
Lord Ulani
Lord Piadas: Ambassador to Anerith and presently stationed back at Larnlyon because of the amulet’s theft. Possesses some magic.
COUNTRIES:
Larnlyon:
- Currently ruled by King Harris and Queen Anne
- Capital city: Trellium
MORE CITIES:
Cern – Home to Wizards’ Row where James, Ellie, and Lord Trey Ausher live.
Bruwen – Home to Kevin, Luke, Margaret, and Harold
Anerith:
- Former king: King Orsen
Jesaro:
- Lawless country and home of the Guild of Assassins
Sanctity Territories:
- Country where all magic is banished
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
SAM ARGENT is a speculative fiction and romance writer who worships the magic picture box and chocolate. She can be found in the American Deep South, hunched over a laptop trying to figure out weird sex positions. Her stories feature tales of love unrestricted by gender, other worlds where gay marriage is the least of anyone’s worries, and characters who would love it if she stopped torturing them with adventure.
Website:http://samargent.wordpress.com/
Twitter: @ACuriousChaos
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