The Dragon Bond: Heirs of Lyra

Chapter 91

Whoever this woman was, delusional or sane, Elysia was grateful for her. The Princess had been one word away from married to Finnian. Any interruption in the ceremony would create concern of legitimacy. At this point, if the marriage did continue, they would have to start over. 

To her surprise, Finnian finally stepped forward, as if to contradict this strange, mysterious woman. "You must be mistaken."

The woman shook her head, her dark eyes warning him. "I'm never wrong about these things. Late, yes, but never wrong."

"Who is Gabriel?" Elysia hadn't meant to ask the question aloud. She was only curious. The woman had said she was supposed to marry him instead. Naturally Elysia wanted to know who this person was. Rather than answer, the woman looked at someone in the crowd. 

Everyone in the room turned their attention to Queen Lilith, who stood timidly from her pew. 

"Gabriel was my son," Queen Lilith replied. Her hands trembled at her sides. The topic was obviously affecting her. 

Elysia frowned. During their walk together, Queen Lilith said her son was gone. Had she meant 'died' or 'disappeared?' Upon first hearing of it, Elysia assumed the Queen meant her son was dead. Now, she wondered if something else entirely had happened to him. 

The woman acknowledged Queen Lilith, curtsying slightly. "Nice to see you again, Queen Lilith."

Elysia had never seen Lilith look so full of rage. Her fists, which were once trembling, were now clenched at her sides. As if she were resisting the urge to lunge forward at the woman. 

"Wish I could say the same, Destiny." Queen Lilith retorted. 

Destiny? Was this woman one of the Three Fates? Elysia stepped forward, her dress shifting around her. 

"What did you mean when you said I'm supposed to marry someone else?" Elysia asked. The Princess was too curious to be cautious. 

If this was truly Destiny, she would be one of the most powerful beings on the planet. Capable of ending Elysia's life in a flash if she chose to. The Fates had a nasty tendency to completely annihilate anyone that annoyed them. While their purpose in life was to help people, they fought such purpose as often as they could. Mortals were their play toys, and they manipulated them for entertainment.

Destiny smiled at Elysia, her eyes mischievous. "It seems I came just in time, my dear. You were about to make a very tragic mistake marrying this buffoon next to you."

"I beg your pardon," Finnian stepped forward, clearly not thrilled with the term 'buffoon.'

"Oh hush," she silenced him instantly, his lips suddenly stuck together.

Elysia's eyes widened as she watched her fiance struggle to speak. He grew into a fit of panic before rushing out of the room.

Queen Lilith turned to face Elysia, her eyes full of emotion. "I haven't seen Gabriel since he was born." She pointed a finger at Destiny accusingly, a bold thing to do. "This woman stole him away from me the moment he was born." 

Destiny rolled her eyes. "I told you, it was for your own good. For the good of your kingdom."

Lilith shook her head, disgusted. She endured years of grief, never able to know her own baby, or conceive more heirs. 

"I thought you were going to bring him back to me. It's been years!" Lilith choked back tears. Elysia wanted to comfort her, but the distance was too great. Apart from that, she was still too confuddled to move. 

Destiny stared at the Queen, suddenly looking bored. "Relax, you've already been reunited with him."

Lilith shook her head, "What are you talking about?"