CHAPTER 66: DON’T BREAK MY BROTHER’S HEART

(Mintaka)

My mother’s personal guard, Saiph, comes to me after the trial. Alnitak has already gone to visit Amaia. He is becoming a hopeless case with every passing day.

"The Queen requests your company," Saiph informs me. The man is huge, built like a pure warrior.

I nod and follow him. He has been with our family since I can remember, trained for the sole purpose of serving my mother.

Our mother is benevolent and kind. She cares for people, may they be her subjects or servants. And he has never let any harm come to her.

She is visiting the academy today, overseeing the trials. She always enjoys games and remains an integral part of them. Saiph leads me to the special room readied for her.

She elegantly sits on a high chair, wearing a ruby-shaded gown that matches her hair. We have inherited our hair colour from her. She is sipping tea from a delicate-looking cup. The one that will break if I try to even pick it up.

"My darling boy!" She exclaims with joy and places the cup down on the saucer.

"Mama!" I greet her and she gets up to hug me. Her radiant smile and warm hug thaw some of the ice around my cold heart.

"How are you doing?" she asks, holding me by my arms.

"Not bad. How have you been?" I ask.

We both settle down in chairs and she points towards the fancy plate of pretzels. They are fresh with perfect shapes and golden colour, just the way I like them.

"I got you some pretzels."

While Alnitak loves chocolates and candies, I enjoy salty baked products. Pretzels are my favourite. Their crustiness I enjoy.

"Thanks! Mama." I reach out and pick one up, popping it into my mouth, and I chew slowly.

"So I saw your trials. Both of you got in the Moonball Team," she proudly states, picking up the saucer and cup again to sip on her lemon tea. Her favourite.

"Yes!" I pick up another pretzel and slowly chew. I am going to pack the rest and take them with me.

"How are you and father?" I question and she smiles with her perfect teeth. Never revealing too many but just enough.

"You know, the usual. Yesterday we had another attack but forces and hunters contained them on the borders. Your father and I have to constantly feed the crystals our magic to keep boundaries secure."

My parents have always been very vigilant in this task. Keeping Orion secure and safe for the people. The attacks a few years ago left them devastated especially with what had happened and how it destroyed my life.

My hand automatically goes to the pendant I keep around my neck.

"I know how hard both of you try to keep us all safe. Soon, I will be strong enough to be a part of it."

She proudly smiles again. The tiara on her head glimmers as light is reflected off the gemstones.

"We are proud of your efforts, Min." She reaches forward and squeezes my hand.

"Now, where is your brother? I need to see him, too, before I leave."

Dang! This can turn into trouble. Our mother doesn’t know about Alnitak taking such an unhealthy interest in Amaia. Although she never dictates our lives, she emphasises finding our true mates and setting an example for others. She was disappointed in me when I slept with Rahria but she also understood my grief and never judged me.

"Saiph!" She turns to the man who is standing erect with a grim expression, waiting for her instructions. The man possesses the coldest pair of blue eyes I have ever seen and he hardly smiles. But he will surely chew you alive in a conversation and fight. He has a way with words and his scythe, his favourite weapon.

"Go bring Alnitak." He swiftly nods. His dark hair falls to his shoulders.

Hearing her words, I scramble to my feet.

"Saiph won’t know, I will bring him to you," I quickly announce. Saiph halts and raises his right brow at me but my mother smiles.

"Of course! You always know where your brother is."

Hurriedly, I retreat. Saiph finding him with Amaia will be disastrous. That man is more loyal to our mother than a dog is loyal to its owner. He used to tell on us all the time in childhood and get us in trouble.

I hurry towards our dorm, knowing he went to meet Amaia.

Reaching outside her room, I knock swiftly. Soft moans leak out of the room, followed by low needy growls of Alnitak.

Damn! I hope he is not having sex with her. One of us needs to remain pious for our future mates. I knock again but there is no response.

Taking a deep breath, I grab the doorknob and twist. The door opens, and they haven’t even locked it before doing these shenanigans.

Saying a small prayer I slowly enter the room. The scent of Amaia’s arousal I can feel in the air even without my wolf. Their faces are locked onto each other while their bodies are thankfully covered with the blanket.

Seeing me enter, they both break the kiss. While Amaia hides under the blanket Alnitak lazily turns to face me.

"Goddess! Ali! Seriously man!" I reprimand him, crossing my arms over my chest. He rolls his eyes, taking out his hand from somewhere I don’t wish to picture. It’s glistening with a white sheen.

Slowly, he brings it closer to his mouth and begins to lick.

"Gross, I didn’t sign up for this." I scowl at my brother, who slowly continues to lick his fingers, one by one.

"Relax, Min. Just let me savour the fruits of my labour," he says with a shit eating grin. His other arm remains under the blanket, I am sure wrapped around Amaia.

"By the way, why are you here? You interrupted my session."

"Your session would have been a nightmare if Saiph had come to fetch you. Mama is here and she is asking for you." All that smugness wipes off his face and he jumps up from the bed, covering Amaia fully with the blanket.

"Why didn’t you lead with that?" He asks, rushing towards the wash area, to clean up his hands. Otherwise, Mama will pick up Amaia’s scent on him; she is smart that way.

"Lead with that? You were too busy eating her mouth. Now hurry up." I reprimand him.

What was it about this woman that made my brother lose all his senses?

"Give me a second." He calls from the wash area and closes the door.

I turn my face to where she is huddled on the bed. I don’t want my brother to make the same mistake, I did. So I have to try and keep this woman away from him.

"Why don’t you leave Alnitak alone? Don’t play with his heart, Amaia." At my words, she pokes her reddened face out, and I see how swollen her eyes are.

Has she been crying? A small tinge of pain I sense in my heart. Whatever issue she is having, doesn’t excuse her behaviour.

"If you hurt my brother or break his heart. I swear that will be the last thing you will do."

She just woundedly stares at me for a few more seconds before answering. "I can never hurt Alnitak or you."

The desperation in her eyes and the adoration in her voice jolts me but I keep my posture straight.

I won’t let her weave that web around me, either.

"Whatever!" I mumble before leaving her room and waiting outside for Ali.