Chapter 262: The Tale Of Their Step-mother and Brother

(Amaia)

Rigel?

Did I hear it correctly?

They had a brother named Rigel.

My Rigel? Could it be?

A million thoughts rush to my brain. He had said he knew the twins and Alnilam. Does that mean he is their brother, imprisoned right under their noses and they don’t even know?

But Rigel has red eyes and this baby boy has blue eyes. Confusion and the burst of emotions make my body tremble. My emotions dribble through the bond and the faces of the twins harden.

They know there is a problem.

"What’s wrong?" Alnitak instantly asks and I have to drag my gaze away from the portrait and focus it on my mate.

"What happened to them?" I ask, trying to keep my voice from shaking badly. My arms go around myself in an effort to keep standing.

Mintaka pulls me into himself for a side hug, sensing I need it. His reassuring embrace is like a balm on a burn wound.

"Once Rigel was born. Our mother gave birth to Alnilam, two years later. She got pregnant again and we were born six years after Alnilam’s birth. Our family was complete and our mothers lived together, peacefully. They actually respected and understood each other. Our stepmother cared for us. We don’t remember her but our Mama has told us countless stories about her." Mintaka continues with the story. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Kacir and Rahria lean against the opposite wall and listen quietly but I can tell they are already familiar with the story.

Mintaka places a small kiss on the top of my head and I hug him tight. There is a storm in my chest. The very thought that Rigel is their brother has taken root in my heart.

Alnitak picks up the story from there.

"Once we were travelling and our caravan was attacked by Fae folks. They hurt Mintaka and put some kind of spell on him. Our stepmother charmed this necklace for him and healed him. It protects him even after her passing," Alnitak nostalgically says and my gaze finds Min’s. He shows me the necklace, which I have already seen countless times.

It makes me wonder how powerful their stepmother must have been. Their mother is also a witch but she let their stepmother charm the necklace for Mintaka.

Hearing that Fae folks hurt my mate saddens me and they sense it. My hands find Mintaka’s face.

"I am sorry they did that to you," I desperately say.

"That was a time when Faes were being mercilessly hunted by the Dread Army so it was natural for them to attack the royal family. Their children were being slaughtered."

Tears burn my eyes at the understanding and wisdom Mintaka carried.

"No one has the right to hurt a child no matter what." Opening my arms I hug Mintaka. I can’t imagine what he and his mother must have gone through.

I open the mindlink between us.

"I am sorry my kind tried to hurt you."

His arms hold me tight.

"You have nothing to apologise for. We should be sorry that we gave the freedom to the Dread Army, letting them carry out this genocide. But the last part of the story will be heavy so brace yourself."

"I want hugs too." Alnitak spreads his big arms and makes it a group hug. "Mhm! I love you guys." Alnitak carries that big teddy energy and his hugs always bring such warmth.

"You guys are so adorable," Rahria says with a sniffle, her voice heavy with emotion.

We separate after the hug and Alnitak starts the rest of the tale with a sadness shrouding him.

"Our step-mother and Rigel were travelling and they were ambushed and attacked. There was only one survivor, a sentinel and he said it was the rogue faes who attacked and killed our brother and Stepmom," Alnitak ruefully whispers and I feel my soul leaving my body.

This can’t be true. My eyes wander to the painting. The smiles they hold, the lives they lived everything snatched, gone in seconds.

Or was he?

Could the attack be pre-planned, a distraction to take Rigel away?

"I am sorry," I whisper heavily, words choke me, my chest hurts.

"But we don’t think it was Fae folks. We think it was the Dread Army and their false flag operation. They blamed Faes so they could mercilessly kill them." Kacir joins in. His face goes stiff. "Which is exactly what happened. After this incident, the Dread Army was given free rein to wipe out any remaining Fae," he sadly reveals and Rahria stiffly nods.

"Yes, my father told me how a meeting was held right after Queen Adrnia and Prince Rigel passed away and King Orion gave the verdict against them."

This made sense. Kill the king’s mate and use it for their agenda.

It hurts and tears tumble out of my eyes. For my people, for my family, for the queen and Rigel. But, that is the most puzzling part.

Is he really dead?

Or did someone use that attack to kidnap him, curse him and throw him in the dungeon?

Only one way to find out. I needed to speak to Rigel.

"Did they find the bodies? I mean the queen and Rigel?" Carefully, I ask, leaning on Mintaka’s arm.

"Sadly, no. The blast from the attack was so impactful that only pieces of their clothes were found. But the Sentinel saw it happen," Alnitak regretfully says, rubbing my back.

I can see how this is a difficult topic for their family. Now I understand why King Orion is so against Fae folks and what he meant when he said "what they did to your brothers."

At that time I had thought that something had happened to the twins but he actually referred to the attack on Mintaka and Rigel.

This gives me hope, this could mean that Rigel was their brother and he is alive. I just need to confirm it before speaking to them about him.

"That’s tragic. I am sorry you guys."

"Not your burden to bear. You already deal with so much." Alnitak offers me words of assurance, knowing this will be heavy for me.

I think that’s exactly the reason they have never shared this story with me before.

But my eyes won’t stop staring at the baby and Queen Adrnia. I try to find the resemblance in features but he is just a baby in this picture. The queen on the other hand holds a stark resemblance to Rigel. Sharp features, same hair.

If what I know is true, that means someone close to them doesn’t have their best interests at heart. Someone is a murderer.

But who?

Seeing me so lost and disturbed, Alnitak leads me away from the corridor. "Let’s go out in the gardens for a stroll."

With one last lingering look at the portrait, I leave with twins and my friends but there is only one thought in my mind now.

I have to get to Rigel and I have to find out the truth.

This feeling unsettles me, no it’s haunting me and I want to leave.

"Can we return to the Academy?" I ask the twins and they instantly nod.

"Of course!"

The king and queen have retired for the day so we don’t disturb them. Saiph is waiting for us while Alnilam has already returned to the academy.

Saiph accompanies us. His sharp eyes remain on me, observing that I appear disturbed but he doesn’t ask questions.

We come back to the academy and Saiph takes a moment to speak.

"Hey! You good?" He holds my face in his large hands and I give him a forced smile which he instantly deciphers.

"I understand the things said were harsh but we will make it through. I am not going anywhere." Saiph always has a way with words for me and I love him for that.

"I know." Leaning in, I place a kiss on his cheek. "Good night, Yeti."

"Good night, bunny."

The twins take me to my room.

"Bunny?" Alnitak amusedly asks, raising his brow at me.

"Yeah, according to his size, I appear like a bunny to him," I defeatedly say, knowing they are going to mock me too.

Thankfully they don’t pursue this topic any further.

"Do you want us to stay?" Alnitak asks. I still hold the wooden black rose in my hand and place it on my side table.

"No, I would be fine. You guys should rest too."

They kiss me good night, turn by turn before leaving and closing the door behind them.

I change my gown and put on comfortable attire, ready to head over to see Rigel. But, I sense him through the bond.

The excruciating pain, his fear, his immense hatred, so many wretched emotions.

That only means one thing.

His tormentor is here and I am going to find out who it is.

With determination, my legs rush outside and soon I am wildly running towards Rigel’s room.