“I analyzed royal blood markers. Titus… Nerot is her father.”
The air left my lungs. I had long suspected my father had scattered bastards across the realm, but I never imagined one would be here— in my service, under my roof, and fated to my General. In hindsight, it made sense. They were both of royal blood. Just as he had done with Aurelius, my father must have altered her blood magic results so no one would question her parentage.
Guardians. This was a mess.
I leaned back, resting my brow against my hand as I read the results.
Calpurnia was my half-sister.
“Nerot as in Lord Nerot your father? Cal is your sister!!?” Delilah asked.
“Half-sister technically, she does not have the magic markers of Titus’s mother.” My General answered.
“Who else knows?” I asked coldly.
“No one,” Cercies replied. “And it does not leave this room.”
For the first time, I truly saw the handmaid. The dark, auburn hair like mine. The amber eyes. My father’s freckles.
It was undeniable.
My mate rushed to Calpurnia and embraced her, they whispered through their emotions amongst themselves while I processed my own emotions.
Anger towards my father for being a piece of shit and always cheating on my mom, sadness for Prisca, she would never get to meet the sibling she always wanted. Fear, for what this meant for the throne and the ruling of my kingdom. What did this mean for the General of my army and my best friend?
Then I heard my mates’ voice, and it pulled me out from under the weight of my thoughts.
“She does not want a crown,” Delilah said gently. “She just wants a position that allows her to be with Cercies until they can be official.”
I exhaled. I had no reason to deny the request, especially with a blood magic level as high as my third in command. A simple spy master would normally be considered beneath a person with such high power.
“I will allow Calpurnia the promotion to spy master, and I will work on the council redacting the law but I just don’t see why you need to be official, you can be together and be happy, because you are fated mates, you have a bond equal to chosen mates without having to go through the blood binding ceremony, challenging this law is going to cause a lot of problems, why is it so important?” I ask defeated. Cercies stood and placed his hand on my shoulder.
“Brother, this isn’t just about the Law of Flesh, it’s about all Holy Laws! You have sent me into villages of our enemies with orders to slaughter those who do not uphold our ideologies, when you, yourself do not uphold them, I cannot serve a kingdom who would rather kill to uphold traditions that we no longer wish to practice than fight to change them.”
His words cut through me almost as sharp as the guilt did. But he needed to be careful, speaking like that could get him killed.
Trying to reason with him I asked, “are you saying that you will resign as General? You and I both know there is noresignation from General, it is life long, the council will murder you!”
“The council has bigger problems to deal with. A missive came in right before this meeting via messenger hawk, they are giving us a month to free all our enslaved population or the water and Shadow Fae will invade, if we just let them go the other kingdoms will leave us be.”
Delilah stood abruptly.
“That’s what this war is about?! Slavery? You wanted me to go on a suicide mission so you could kill the enemies that want to free your slaves?!!” Delilah began to shout in outrage and disgust, her harshness killed me, but I needed to address Cercies first.
“Don’t you think I’ve considered that? It’s not my fault I was given this mess my father left me! We are talking about a full economic collapse and a complete restructuring of society, plus the council will never go for it, my hands are tied…for this to even be a possibility the entire council would have to be eliminated.”
I protested. But to my surprise the disgust on her face softened. I was not expecting her to see all of me, all of the ugly. All of the evil and understand, accept me.
He offered me a warm, encouraging look. “I never said it would be easy, but you don’t have to face this alone. The Kingdom of Flame needs a leader, brother, and I know you have it in you.” He said.
Then I felt a soft, warm hand slip into mine and squeeze gently. I looked into my Pickles’ beautiful eyes as her delicate voice said, “We are the apples that fell far from their trees…”
I nodded. She gave me strength. I wanted to make a better world for her. For the first time, I felt like I might be able to make this realm safer for her and my future heirs without the God Dragon—I just needed a plan.
Reforming Fire Fae tradition was going to be one hell of a battle. But for her, I would do it. Besides, I was tired of living in the wake of my father’s mistakes.
“Well, Calpurnia, my only concern is this—a spy master needs a dragon. Is that something you are willing to learn?” I asked my half-sister.
