The Duke's Bride

[Sara Smith]

"I want you to act like the human you are, not the beast that posses you." I say calmly.

[Tova koshack]

"Enough! This is my table and my sabbath and if you don't like who eats with me then you can leave" I snapp

[Sara Smith]

"Very well" I say standing gracefully " if you would like civil company Seigfried you may join me." I say Cooley

[Siegfried]

"Um... it's just... I should keep an eye on her..." Siegfried mentions, glancing at Wylde. Seeing the look on her face, he flinches. "Nevermind, I'm sure she'll be fine..."

[Sara Smith]

I walk down the hall and cross into the survents house. I sit at my desk and pull out a sheet of paper and begin to write.

By the time the hour is up I have written three letters. One to my father bemoaning my ladies company, one to to my sister who surves in the chilies court, and a third to an old friend who happens to be Elinas cuss Ian and her only contender to the throne. He has always listened to me and helped to ease my mind. Maybe he cam help me convince her to be more resonable

[Tova koshack]

I shake my head at her back. "She's got a lot to learn," I say placing a hand on Wilds arm. "Come have another piece." I say gently knowing how close to a moon we are and how much a wolf needs meat either way. "Don't waist time chasing her Seigfried she only listens to Eliana thinks she's better than us cause she's a lady in waiting and not a ladies maid like me. She'll get over it."

[Siegfried]

Siegfried sighs. "I hope so..."

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

I gently shake Garret awake as the fist lights of dawn stream through my window. The circle had been drawn with runes around it. And a single candle has been light. In the center of the circle there is a parchment and a charcol stick for writing. There is a larger circle around it also with runes for the tow of us to stand in. I am wearing a simple white shift and holding a silver pin.
"I'll say the incantation and then prick your finger you will drop the blood on the parchment and the charcol and then we will have your family tree." I say calmly "are you ready?"

[Marian Hawke]

"I... I am."

I have to be. 

He shuts his eyes as Elaina says the incantation, a silent prayer in his heart. The prick takes him by surprise, and as his blood drips onto the paper, it begins to spell out the family tree in blood-red ink:


                                        Malcolm Hawke (deceased) x Leandra Amell Hawke (Albany)--------- Gamlen Amell (Albany)
                                                                                 |
                                                                                 | 
                                      Marian Hawke -------------Bethany Hawke-----------Carol Hawke



The names are familiar to Elaina of course -- or, at least two of them are. The Amells are also known as the Dukes of Albany, the next duchy over -- Gamlen Amell being the current Duke, after Leandra abdicated her claim when she ran away with her lover perhaps twenty-five years ago. 

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

I watch as the names fill the page. I had heard of his other running off with a demon though many said a peasant still either way she ran off and aprently had a family

[Marian Hawke]

Garrett traces the names with a finger once they're dried. Huh. I wonder which one I am? Instead, he simply repeats his apparent parents names out loud: "Malcolm and Leandra.... I wonder what they're like?"

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

"Would you like to meet them?" I ask gently " I have a crystal ball somewhere if you want to look in on them"

[Marian Hawke]

"Not... not yet," he says slowly. "I... I just was wondering."

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

I place my hand on his shoulder. "When you're ready let me know. Until then why don't we go see yo breakfast."  I smile grabbing my blue over dress and pulling it on "I meet your uncle once" I say gently waiting to see if it will set him off. "He's a a duke a few douchies over. His sister your mother abdicated her inheritance to run off with a farmer." I say

[Marian Hawke]

"A... a duke? Really? I'm related to nobility?"