“Okay, hang on.” Wren directs the room. “Back up. First, tell me, how is Sasha your sister?”
Stares turn to The Queen, who hasn’t spoken.
From her white linen armchair, she stares, transfixed by the ocean. Roman sits on the ottoman, holding her hand, but it’s like she’s trapped in her memories. Miles away. Years ago.
“Mom.” I touch her hand again. “Mom, please say something.”
For a long moment, she doesn’t speak before a tear slides down her cheek as she mutters, “I can’t believe he did it.”
“Did what, my Queen?” Axel finally halts, his words warm with concern. It mirrors mine.
She looks at him, then at me, pain brimming in her lapis eyes. “I can’t believe he took my daughter.”
My heart stops. Logic stunted. “But, Mom, how’s that possible? You only had six children, right?” Glancing at Nash. “That you gave birth to?”
She shakes her head as Sire clears his throat. He explains to me, “That she’d remember. You, Nick, and Jace were cesarean births.”
I blink, not following. “And so?”
Axel’s nostrils flare. He remembers too. “And so, Mom was knocked out for them. Seemed excessive at the time, and it was. It was his control.”
“So, what are you saying?” Horror hits Ruby’s face. “Are you saying Ruslan took a newborn from her? Nadine had twins, and he took her daughter, without her knowing? He’sthatevil and powerful?”
No one nods.
No one agrees.
No one breathes.
The truth rips the oxygen from the room.
Until Jace snarls, “I’m gonna fuckingkillhim.”
Rarely does Jace get mad. He’s the kind one. The gentle giant. The loving one until you fuck with someone he loves. Then he’s ruthless, and more wicked and ruinous than any king.
“But wait.” Wren raises her hand. It’s cute. She can’t help it. “I have a question.”
Sire caresses her curls. “Yes, Angel?”
“Why would Ruslan do it?” Wren asks. “Why would he take his daughter and not take his son? And whose twin is she?”
“Loch’s.” Alena turns to me, studying my face. “Oh my god, I can’t believe I didn’t see it before. Then again, I didn’t see so much. But Loch…” Tears well in her eyes. “Sasha. She’s your twin. It’s obvious. You have the same eyes.”
“What?” I turn to my mom. “Is it… is it possible?”
She won’t stop shaking her head. She won’t stop crying, ironically elegant in how tears silently stream down her face, schooled like stone.
A skill she learned while married to our father.
“He never let me see ultrasounds,” she murmurs. “He never let me hear heartbeats. He controlled my doctors, my medical care, my births. But I was so big with you, I knew something was different. And I went into early labor, and when I awoke, he said there were twins, but one had died and…”
She gulps, choking down a sob.
I’ve never seen my mother like this, almost broken, and it kills me. I glance around the room, and I’m not alone. Tears for her tears fall.
“But why would he take his daughter?” Delphine sniffs, crying. “Why not his son, no? It is all he wanted. A dauphin. An heir to his throne. A boy. Why leave Loch and take Sasha?”
Mom wipes the tears wetting her cheeks. “The tests he’d make the doctors run. For each pregnancy. He knew about me and Maxim. That Maxim was the only kindness, the only love I had.”
