He frowned. “I remember entering my mother’s room and climbing onto her bed. She showed me my sister, and even though I was small, even though she was a bundled bit of skin and bone, I loved her with a pureness that was stolen from me not long after I saw her.”
“My aunt masked the memory with a spell. All this time, Reyla and I were hidden together. I remember when she came to the fortress after a raid. The family who adopted her was killed. She and I were inseparable from that moment. We huddled in bed together at night, holding each other when we cried. We boosted each other, trained together, and shared the bit of joy we found in that life. I love her like a sister, but she’s all yours.”
“Ours, Fury.Ours.” He released a heartfelt sigh. “I have a sister, a precious, wonderful person I will protect until my dying day.”
“Your mother knew you would love her. She knew you’d share whatever you could about her with Reyla.”
“I should tell her.” His face lost all its color.
“She’ll be happy to hear the news.”
His brow furrowed. “Do you think so?”
“Discovering Layla is my sister was one of the most amazing moments in my life. It’ll be the same for you and Reyla.”
“You’re right. I think.” I’d never seen this man uncertain before, but this facet of him only made me love him more.
Someone knocked on the door, and we jerked our heads that way.
“Hey, you two,” Reyla called out. “I know you haven’t seen each other in a very long time, but breakfast is getting cold, and we’re about to put it away. Then you’ll have to forage on your own. I’d hate for you to miss my special treat.” Her voice swelled with excitement. “Guess what it is, Tempest? Horig cakes. Ha! I made them myself, and they’re absolutelyamazing.”
We gaped at each other, my lips twitching, my heart thudding so fast it was going to burst up my throat.
Vexxion’s eyes shone, and he gave me a wondrous smile.
“Go to her.” I slid off his lap. “Tell her. Hug her. Love her.”
“I already do,” he croaked. “I didn’t forget. I didn’t.” He stumbled to his feet. “She . . . Will she be angry? She may not wantmefor a brother.”
“Vexxion.” I barreled into him and hugged him. “She’s going to love you as much as I do.” Tipping my head back, I smiled up at him. “Will you trust me in this?”
His laugh snorted out. “I trust you in everything, Fury. Always.”
I stepped back and nudged him toward the door where my friend waited. “Take her to someplace quiet and tell her. When you’re finished, I’ll be waiting in the kitchen. I might even save you a horig cake.”
His grin flashed, innocent and pure, unlike any from the hard-edged man I’d loved almost from the moment I met him. This was the Vexxion he would’ve been if an evil despot hadn’t tried to turn him into a monster. “You’d better save me one. My sister made them.”
He stepped around me and walked with confidence to the door, opening it.
“Hey, Reyla?” he asked softly. “Do you happen to have a moment to talk?”
“Sure.” She lifted her voice. “Horig cakes, Tempest. Don’t forget about them!”
As Vexxion walked out into the hall, my laughter echoed in the room.
57
VEXXION
Itook Reyla to one of the little-used parlors, and we sat across from each other. I told her about Tempest’s bone vision, and Reyla surprised me with her lack of doubt.
One frown, and her face cleared. “It’s . . . true.” She pressed her palm against her chest. “You’re truly my older brother.” Tipping her head back, she stared up at the ceiling.
“I am.” I shared my memory of seeing her after she was born.
“I . . . This is going to sound weird, but when I was little, I dreamed I had an older brother. My parents . . . Alright, they weren’t my true parents, but I loved them,” her eyes shimmered with tears, “they laughed, though in a nice way. They said they wished I had an older brother, too, and patted my head, telling me to go play. I was an only child, and I assumed this was wishful thinking on my part. But the idea that there wassomeone out there stuck with me. I couldn’t shake it free. And now you’re here.” She puffed out a breath and gave me a wan smile. “I’m not sure what to say now.”
She looked so much like my mother, from her slender, petite frame to her red hair that was lighter than my mother’s but would probably darken as she grew older. The same eye color too. How had I missed it?
