“We’ll protect her,” Charlotte swore. “Nothing will happen to her.”
Any response caught in Bianca’s throat. She trusted her friend, knew she’d keep her safe, but not being able to hold her child again carved a chasm into her chest.
She and Alice had stayed another month in the Human Kingdom, writing Phillip with a weak excuse he wouldn’t care enough to question. Bianca had needed time with Amelia before she was forced to give her up forever.
Her fingers trailed over the baby’s nearly healed ears, missing their points. Fae had pointed ears, unlike the humans, and to protect Amelia’s identity, they’d had to cut her ears and stitch them so they’d heal round. It was cruel but necessary.
Amos, never one to be ignored, let out a sharp squawk from his bassinet. Bianca’s heart hurt for herself and for her daughter, but most of all, it hurt for her son who would bear the responsibility of saving their kingdom. She prayed daily that she and Alice could shield him from his father’s cruelty and mold him into something good.
After feeding Amelia, she placed one last kiss to the baby’s smooth head. Bianca handed her over to Charlotte and gathered Amos into her arms, crying the entire way to the carriage.
PART ONE
BRUTAL KING
1
TWELVE YEARS OLD
Amos lay beside his mother in her massive bed, clutching her hand in his. If caught, his father would punish him, but it was a chance he was willing to take.
He’d overheard the healer speaking with Alice, who said the mysterious illness would take his mother any day now, and Amos didn’t want to waste a single minute with her.
“Alice,” Bianca said weakly. Alice rose from the chair in the corner and moved to the bedside. “It’s time to tell him. Guard the door.”
Alice looked between Amos and his mother. “Do you think he’s ready? I can tell him when he’s a little older.”
“He’s ready,” Bianca confirmed. Alice nodded and hurried to the door, closing it behind her.
Amos pushed himself upright and stared down at his mother, still holding her hand. “Tell me what?” Tears filled her eyes, and Amos stiffened. “Are you hurting? Do I need to fetch the healer?”
“No.” She took a shuddering breath. “I thank the gods every day that you are nothing like your father.”
A line formed between Amos’ brows. “I look just like him.”
“I mean in here.” His mother released his hand and touched his chest, just over his heart. “Your father is a cruel man, you understand that, don’t you?”
Amos nodded. He did. His father was mean to everyone, including him. Though his mother tried to protect him, she was no match for the king.
The way she looked at him scared him. “What I’m about to tell you is a secret no one can ever know.”
He puffed out his chest, proud that his mother would trust him with something important. Keeping secrets was what Amos did best. For example, he knew about Alice’s secret boyfriend and had never told anyone. “You can trust me.”
Bianca gave him a sad smile. “I know I can.” Then she quietly told Amos everything, blowing his twelve-year-old mind. He wanted to ask her to slow down and repeat things, but the surprise of it all stole his voice.
Twins.
A sister.
A fake birthday.
His mother finished and stared at him expectantly, but all he could do was stare.
“I know it’s a lot to process, but—” her voice broke. “I won’t be here much longer, and I need to know that you’ll protect your sister from your father. I don’t mean now,” she added. “You’re too young, and Queen Charlotte will ensure nothing happens to her, but if the day comes that your father learns about her, you may be the only one powerful enough to stop him.”
Amos’ heart picked up speed, and his hands trembled. The thought of one day fighting his father sent terror into his bones, but this wasn’t about him. It was about his sister.Amelia.
Resolve crashed over him like a scalding wave of fury. He didn’t get to meet his sister because of his stupid father. Amoshated him—always had—but his anger twisted into something entirely new.
