“True,” Gerard said.
Juniper cleared her throat. “I just feel that I should point out that not all stepmothers are evil. My stepmother raised me as if I were her own. She didn’t treat me differently from how she treated my stepsiblings.”
Senta patted her on the knee. “Your stepmother is a lovely woman, and I cannot imagine her even doing what ours or Elias’s stepmother has done.”
Konrad leaned forward. “Gerard, go over it all again. Slowly. With as much detail as possible. After all, we’ll have to question Adelina when she arrives.”
Taking a deep breath, Gerard launched into the story, answering all their questions as he drank his wine. Luther refilled his goblet twice.
“So our half-siblings have no idea?” Luther asked.
“None,” Gerard said. “I am certain of that.”
“Good. That’s one thing we don’t have to worry about, at least.” Konrad rested his head against the back of his armchair and closed his eyes.
“I’m not so sure.” Senta rubbed her forehead. “They might not have been plotting with her. But she is still their mother. And she will be charged with treason. Even if they weren’t traitors before, they might be soon. Especially because they must have witnessed the poor treatment of their mother at the king’s hands. They might think her behaviour appropriate.”
“Fuck!” Luther threw his hands into the air.
A Draconian guard appeared in the door. “Your Highnesses, Prince Elias Storm wishes admittance into these quarters.” The guards had strict instructions to let no one in without first clearing it with Gerard and his siblings.
Gerard’s lungs constricted. “Let him in.”
Senta looked at Gerard. “So it turns out that the lightning prince is not just a pretty face.”
Gerard took another deep gulp of wine, finishing his goblet. “Definitely not.”
“Don’t feel too bad for being fooled by him, Gerard,” Konrad said. “It seems he fooled everyone.”
Unfortunately, that didn’t make Gerard feel any better.
A moment later Elias appeared in the doorway. He startled and glanced around, apparently not having expected to be faced with all of them.
It was clear that Elias had not taken a moment to freshen up. Dark blood matted his skin and tangled white hair. His clothes were dishevelled and dirtied. Fresh bruises stained the pale skin of his face. Bags hung beneath his violet eyes.
Still, Gerard thought him the most beautiful fucking sight he’d ever seen.
Chapter
Sixty-Six
Gerard rose. He could feel his siblings’ stares.
Elias cleared his throat as his gaze darted around, as if he didn’t know where to look. It finally landed on Juniper. “How is Colette?”
“She is fine. She is sleeping soundly in one of the rooms.” Juniper smiled at him. “I just checked in on her a little while ago.”
Elias let out a breath. “Thank you.”
Luther rose and poured an extra goblet of wine. He handed it to Elias, lifting a brow. “I hear your pretty little sparkles can actually be quite deadly.”
A shaky laugh escaped Elias. “They can be.” He took the goblet of wine but didn’t drink. He rubbed the stem between his fingers.
“Well, then I’m glad I never met you on the battlefield.” Luther lifted his goblet to Elias.
But Elias glanced again at Gerard, eyes flicking over Gerard’s scars and eye patch. He looked immediately away.
Luther froze. He glanced between them. “Wait.” He pointed at Gerard. He looked at Elias. “Was that you?”
