Bri’s body still shook with anger. How bloody dare he? He didn’t deserve to be on her ship. He would never cope. In fact she could make it very difficult for him if she was feeling that way out. She watched Orlson leave the Prince’s cabin and suddenly felt guilty. It wasn’t like her to be so nasty and she wondered if her father’s death was starting to affect her.
Her father was her rock. A very solid rock. He was the epitome of what she thought a man should be. Strong, kind and loving. In fact, everything Orlson was. Physically there were no similarities, but in every other way Orlson was just like her father.
She remembered the day her father died. He’d fallen ill after being out on his ship and sailing it through an intense storm. The physician said that the cold had penetrated his bones and no amount of warmth would suffice. So Bri and her mother watched their rock disintegrate in front of them.
The very last day they had sat at his bedside trying to keep themselves strong and his spirits high, he suddenly spoke out and demanded to speak with his daughter alone. Bri watched her mother’s hunched body leave the room and then she took her father’s hand. She shivered, because it felt so cold. No matter what weather he sailed out in, he always exuded warmth.
He pulled her closer and Bri fought the tears.
‘Briganti, my heir and one and only daughter. You have made me so proud and I love you dearly. When this crown was placed on my head it was the proudest moment of my life, but I worry that what was my joy will become your burden.’ Bri started to interrupt, but he raised his hand to stop her. ‘Your mother and I have eyes and we see how the relationship has grown between you and Orlson. He’s a good man and has always done right by you and believe me if there were any other way I would let you have each other. But your mother and I were never blessed with any more children and so it lies with you. I know it’s a lot to ask, but I need you to be strong and take Prince Xander into your heart and make him into the man you need him to be.’
‘For the good of Celestia,’ she replied.
For the good of Celestia. Now go get your mother. I fear my time is nearly here.’
Bri rushed to her feet and called her mother, but as soon as she stood her father breathed his last. Collapsing on her knees in grief, she allowed her father’s chamberlain and her mother to drag her to her feet, where they placed her father’s crown on her head. He was right, it did feel heavy.
All in the room kneeled at her feet and as she lifted her eyes she caught Orlson’s. Both looking at the other, they knew their life of freedom was other. Whatever feelings they had held for each other were now and forever to be locked away. Bri was now Xander’s queen, which meant she was even further from him than ever.
Ever since that moment, Orlson had managed to keep himself busy and away from her. Now on this ship they had nowhere to hide from each other. There was no other choice but to face things and move on, but could she? Not when this Xander a lesser man than Orlson. How could she love another, who was barely worth what he was worth? Orlson was special. She knew that, but in her world that was not enough. Without the gold and the titles he was a nobody.
Celestia's Tales: The Lybiria Scales Page 7
