Page 81 of Depths of Desire
I start to speak, but he tightens his grip on my forearm. I take in several deep breaths instead.
Now the world knows that Malrick had an informant inside the Valdici empire. It never occurred to me that it would come out. Understanding rocks me. This is why Nico’s father is here. He wants to present a strong united front. The fact that Nico is not here must have him livid. I’m livid about it, as well, but I am betting Leonardo is seething. Nothing worse than looking weak for a mafia family, nor a vampire family. Sivara definitely scored points on this one.
“Were you there when the deal was struck for Ms. Benedetti’s hand in marriage?” Sivara points at me as she says this.
Morgrave turns in my direction. “I was.”
“Can you elaborate?” Sivara asks looking smug.
White hot anger flashes, and I have the biggest urge to punch her in the face. She’s enjoying this. Enjoying humiliating the Valdici family, humiliating me.
“Malrick and I were there to glean information. Mrs. Benedetti asked for the name of the witch that had helped her get pregnant with Ms. Benedetti. Malrick inquired why she wanted to know. Mrs. Benedetti stated that she wanted another spell. Malrick, realizing this could work in his favor offered her the information as part of a deal. A meeting with the witch in exchange for Ms. Benedetti’s hand in marriage. Mrs. Benedetti agreed.”
“So, a deal was struck. And when was this?” Sivara asked.
“At least ten years ago now,” Morgrave says.
“And Malrick was happy with the deal?”
“Yes.” Morgrave ran his gaze up and down my body. I suppressed a shiver as he continued, “He felt he was definitely getting the better end of the arrangement.”
He smirks at me. I want a shower. Luca tensed next to me, and I know he’s angry about the look Morgrave gave me, but he says nothing.
I am suddenly overwhelmed with anger and frustration. This is all so fucking ridiculous. I’m not even a magickal creature or a vampire, so why should I be beholden to their rules?
“Mr. Morgrave,” Renzo’s voice cut through the low-level chatter in the room, knocking it back into silence, “when this deal was struck, was Mr. Benedetti home?”
Morgrave glares at Renzo but answers smoothly. “Yes, of course. The deal could not be struck without her father’s permission.” He glances at me again.
“I see. And why didn’t Malrick immediately announce his engagement, thereby giving notice to the world that Ms. Benedetti was no longer available?”
Morgrave snorts. “Because she was still a teenager. It wasn’t time to marry her.”
“Mr. Morgrave, did you see Ms. Benedetti at any time when you were at the house?”
Morgrave narrows his eyes at Renzo again. “No bu?—”
“So, you have no idea if Ms. Benedetti’s parents ever informed her of the agreement.”
“Malrick told me they had.”
Renzo interrupted him again. “But he would, wouldn’t he. You have no actual proof that notice was provided to Ms. Benedetti.”
Morgrave answered through clenched teeth this time. “No, I don’t.”
“Thank you, no further questions.” Renzo sits back down. I glance behind and see Leonardo. His expression is neutral, but his eyes contain a vicious gleam.
I let out a sigh of relief. That wasn’t so bad. Okay, it was horrible and humiliating. I think Renzo scored some points, but what the hell do I know? This is all so foreign to me. I just want it to be over with.
“Lady Draethe, you may call your next witness,” the red king says.
She looks directly at me. “I call Mrs. Benedetti, your majesty.”
My stomach rolls and I feel dizzy. The acrid taste of betrayal fills my mouth. My mother gets up from a bench in a dark corner of the room and moves forward. I see my father sitting there as well, watching my mother.
My mother looks well put together, as always. Her hair is a black curtain that shimmers in the light. Her red suit fits her to a tee, and her face is a mask of indifference. She looks like she’s about thirty-five years old. She was older than that when she made the deal with Malrick, but the spell regressed her a bit. She looks like she could be my sister. Taking her spot in the circle, she doesn’t even glance in my direction. The message she’s sending is that I’m dead to her. I don’t care because she’s dead to me.
I will never, ever forgive her for this.
