Caius couldn’t help but grin. She was still the same ole Alex.
“Many things, actually. Things that will be difficult for you to comprehend. Things have been put into motion that cannot be stopped. Things that you will learn in time.”
He could see that his words didn’t make any sense to Alex,driving her frustration further, but if she had learned anything from him, it was that he never said anything without purpose. He only hoped that she would hold that lesson closely in the coming future.
“Have a little more faith in the girl. She’s as sharp as a tack, and I bet she will comprehend you just fine.” Althea stated, jumping to Alex’s defense.
“Oh I have no doubt, but even you, my lady, will find what I have to say hard to believe.” His voice was laced with a heady undertone.
Alex stood looking even more confused by their interaction.
“Oh, for Keil’s sake. Can we get on with it?” She gritted out, her hands on her hips.
Caius turned his attention back to his daughter, a chuckle rumbling in his chest. “Always so impatient. Do you remember when you were a child, how I would tell you stories of beasts and magic from faraway places?”
Alex narrowed her eyes but nodded her head.
“They were based in truth. There was once magic amongst us. The beasts roamed the realm and the citizens were united under one rule.”
Alex and Althea’s mouths hung open. They obviously thought that he was insane. “Magic is returning. Alex, you have seen those beasts twice now. Do you not trust your own eyes?”
Alex’s mouth snapped shut but he could tell that what he was saying was starting to sink in.
“Ok, that explains the beasts but what of the magic?”
Caius weighed his words carefully. He knew how important Rivka had been to Alex and Althea and he hated having to rip open such a fresh wound. “My Thorns reported that Vivian was brought a chest, containing a book of spells and a prophecy. The prophecy said a child of the strongest family would reign all of Diathan, so Vivian used the spells to force Tristan andRivka to produce an heir. She intends to rule through her.” He tipped his head towards the babe in Althea’s arms.
“You mean to tell me that Rivka was forced to have sex against her will?” Alex ground out. Althea stiffened next to her, her eyes widening in shock.
“Tristan, too. Neither were in control of themselves. Both powerless to stop it.”
The baby let out a muffled wail from Althea’s arms. She quickly began rocking her, speaking to the babe in a low, soothing tone.
Alex was vibrating with anger. Caius knew that the emotions warring inside her would eventually burst free, but he could see that she believed the truth he spoke.
“Who knew?” Alex demanded.
Caius huffed out a breath. He had been hoping to avoid this question. It was going to complicate things. “Besides Tristan and Rivka? Ellis, Evanar, and the Thorns who reported back to me.”
Alex closed her eyes, taking deep breaths. He could hear her muttering the cadence he had drilled into her years ago. “Be the calm-the steady hands in the dark.”
A scuffing noise sounded behind them. Caius watched as Bronwynn rounded the corner, with Tristan, Ellis, and a man he couldn’t quite place, in tow.
“Hiya, boss.” Bronwynn’s voice echoed off the walls. She grimaced. She was always louder than she intended to be.
Caius didn’t respond; his gaze was locked on the auburn haired man behind her.What are the odds?“Monroe?”
The man let out a sound closer to the snarl of a cornered dog than a human. Alex turned toward him, looking between them.
“Dad? How do you know Davin?”
Davin stiffened, his eyes whipping to herbefore settling back on him. “So you are Mr. Monroe then,” Caius stated, sadness flickering in his eyes.
Alex was staring at Davin. Something in her gaze telling him that they were more than just mere acquaintances.
“Did you just call him Dad?” Davin seethed, his eyes never leaving Caius.
“I did. Because he is.” Confusion marred her features. “How do you know each other?”
