“Then, my line of custom is broken from the base.What matters is what works.”
Himera paused and nodded.“That...I am sorry.I keep forgetting.”
“It’s fine.So, why did you want to have breakfast or brunch together?”
“We are going to be sisters.We need to get to know one another.”
“Where is Ylara?”
“She, Riithan, and the baby have returned to Daycross.There is a polo match he needs to prepare for.They will be back in a few days.Ylara finds the stronghold unsettling, so they only spend a few days here, here and there.We go to visit our granddaughter frequently.”
“Yes, that is a matter of confusion for me.I have heard that the Sethir-Nin don’t have daughters, but I know of several.All met outside of this country.”
Himera stared.“You are serious?”
“Yes.Several were born to alphas who just walked away from their mothers.The shame made the children ripe for sale to return respectability to the family.So, they were sold for the dowry or funds for other siblings.”
Himera stared.“You aren’t kidding.”
“Nope.Roar has a sister, and she was sold at the same time.There are a number of labs that want to experiment on Sethir children.There is a market for them, and no one notices the poor disappearing until a large amount of labour is needed.”
Himera looked around and saw Roar, beckoning her in.“You have a sister?”
“Yes.Younger by a year.We were both discarded in the same transaction.She’s in Lianhel now.She owns a florist shop.”
Himera blinked.“She’s an omega as well?”
“Of course.”
“What is her name?”
“Ivathen.”
“So, you are...Rorathen?”Her voice was weak.
Roar nodded.“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Your father...”
“My brother demanded funds for his union, and we were all that my father had to sell.”
Himera covered her mouth.“What happened to your mother?”
“She died giving birth to Ivathen.My father fell into his grief, and my grandparents all passed before I was five.He had two daughters and a son who was beginning a new life.We were suddenly in the way.”
Ival asked, “Himera, you knew them?”
“Their mother was my maid until she married.I gave her a dowry to keep her and her family in good condition.She let me see her daughter once.It was just after Riithan was born.”
Roar lifted a hand.“That was me.”
“Yes.It was.She was already pregnant with your sister.Alethen was a beautiful woman.Graceful and strong.She calmed everyone around her, and your father was so lucky.”
Roar nodded.“That is the little I can remember.”
Himera paused.“What happened to your family?”
Roar shrugged.“Some kind of storm tore their house and clothing apart.It left them with nothing.They had to turn to the stronghold for help, and they are all here in the servant quarters.”
