Page 54 of Petals for Vicious Secrets

Lenna held her breath, trying to ignore the shaking of the panom next to her and the quiet sobs of the one in front of her.

Rhei Coralt looked at every soul in front of him, his somber face and lip twisting as his stare moved from one being to the next. He said, “Someone must explain how a discarded being returned to Thyria.”

The room was silent. The only noise was his impatient tapping of the red dagger’s glass against the bones on his throne.

Cobrian Castel took a step forward as he said, his old voice rough, “The discarded being was found in the West House. As the Ruler of the House, I will endeavor to provide an explanation.” A wave of panom power pushed the crowd in front of Cobrian to the sides, and he soared through the floor until he was in front of the Organ Mandor.

Ciaran walked next to where his father had been forcedly taken, and Lenna moved behind him, despite the barely recognizable alarm she read in Jake’s eyes. Cobrian, despite his advanced age showing in his many wrinkles and white hair, could have perfectly walked to that same spot. Being moved there by force was just a reminder of who had the biggest power on this island.

“Explain,” Rhei Coralt ordered.

Ciaran's shoulders shook slightly, his chin slightly tilting upwards, as if he didn’t take well that his father was being treated in such a disrespectful way.

“He was a servant of the West House before he was discarded more than two years ago. His body appeared on the doorstep of our castle a few weeks ago,” Cobrian said, his voice not faltering.

“By magic?” Rhei Coralt snorted.

“None of us certainly brought him there.”

The Organ Mandor asked, “And you forgot to mention this on the occasions we have met?”

Cobrian shook his head lightly. “I didn’t think it was relevant compared to the paramount matters the Organ House has to control.” He bowed his head deeply with respect. Ciaran bowed his head slightly too, even though his icy stare didn’t reflect the action.

The Organ Mandor tilted his head slightly. “The discarded being has been taken to Corentre. I expect you or your heir to dispose of him as soon as he is ready.”

Lenna’s heart couldn’t beat any faster, any stronger. Cobrian paled as he asked, “Dispose of the man?”

“He is not a man. He is a discarded being,” Rhei Coralt clarified sharply. “The healers at the Beftac Center will analyze his body to see if there are any traces of information about how he returned to Thyria. It would be helpful to examine his peculiar… psychic state. As Ruler and heir of the House, I cannot kill either of you without altering the lands we live in, hence why your punishment will bear another form.” The blood in Lenna’s veins froze.

“Your ancient body will not survive what you deserve, so I need to make some adjustments,” the Organ Mandor told Cobrian. “You will receive five strikes from the red Lawful Stab. And your heir will receive the remaining twenty strikes that your body wouldn’t survive. And when he is ready, one of you will kill the discarded being.”

“No!” Lenna shouted, her voice leaving her mouth before she could reconsider. The corner of her eyes registered Jake’s wide ones. She stepped forward, standing next to Ciaran. “You can’t kill him,” she said.

“Excuse me?” the eyes of the Organ Mandor were barely slits. He had even stopped moving the glass daggers.

“You can’t kill him,” Lenna repeated, her voice cutting before adding, “Please.”

The Organ Mandor laughed, standing up. “In case anyone here ever dares challenge what I can or can’t do, let me remind you.” He stood up and walked to the front of the altar, right before the first step that led to where Lenna, Ciaran and Cobrian were.

“Despite whatever illusion of power being Rulers and heirs to the petal Houses gives you, there is only one sovereign ruler in Thyria. One ruler who everyone answers to. The ruler of the Organ House, blessed by all the Cardinals and the Cardinal Queen herself,” he said, his voice resonating against the walls. “I rule this city, this country and this Cardinals-blessed world. Everyone answers to me. Every single human being. Every single panom being. My generosity is letting you live.”

“If you were so generous, you would let him live,” Lenna insisted. The fear in her was so real it was palpable. Fear for Ciaran’s punishment. Fear for Raoul’s life. She saw Jake closing his eyes briefly.

The Organ Mandor looked at Lenna, and Lenna felt her knees bending against her will, leaving her kneeling in front of him. “I think having someone with such a mouth as the Heir of the North House is going to bring problems.”

“So I have been told all my life,” she spat.

Jake’s voice sounded inside her head: Shut that pretty mouth of yours for once, sweet fire. Lenna tried her best to not jump at the sudden mental whisper. Jake’s face was mainly impassible, only his eyes showed a glimpse of anger.

“I have always been devoted to integrating crucial messages from a young age, in unforgettable manners,” Rhei Coralt said, and Lenna could have sworn Jake shivered, his upper lip curling. “Since your parents clearly failed at teaching you, I must ensure sure you learn discipline, Lenna Brachyan.”

He closed his hand and her upper body was exposed. Lenna didn’t know if one of the few gasps from the crowd belonged to her sister or her mother. She felt Ciaran’s body next to her tensing.

Despite her legs still locked in a kneel, her arms weren’t locked, so she covered her exposed chest. The Organ Mandor forced her to bend over; her bare back inclined.

“You will receive five strikes with the red Lawful Stab. You will be locked in the subterranean cells until you remember your inferior place as the heir of the North House, and who will always rule over you. Until you ask for forgiveness.”

“Fuck you,” Lenna spat.

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