Page 9 of Heir of the Autumn Queen

“I’m not a child, Killian.” I cross my arms defiantly.

Before my brother can respond, our parents walk over to us, wiping their dirt-covered hands on their aprons.

“I thought you were staying at Briar’s.” My father kisses my temple affectionately.

I shrug. “We were out late, so I just decided to come back here.”

“Out late at theseer’shouse.” Killian grumbles.

“Gods, you’re such a rat.” I scowl. “So mature, telling on your baby sister.”

“At least I have the maturity to listen to those older and wiser than me.”

I bark a humorless laugh. “Oh, and that’s you? The oh-so-wise older brother?”

“Enough, both of you.” Our father’s tone shuts us both up, but one look at my mother’s face has me regretting my decision to visit Sibyl.

She not only looks disappointed, but angry as well. Her eyes are the only thing that betray her true emotions; they’re full of fear. She clears her throat, attempting to sound impassive. “What did Sibyl tell you?”

“Oh, you’ll love this, it’s hilarious.” I look at my father, knowing he loves a good jest. But instead of looking amused and eager to hear my story, his skin is ashen as his eyes dart over my face. My own enthusiasm curbs as I read the room. I clear my throat awkwardly, knowing everyone’s eyes are on me. “She said I’m the daughter of Solana Amberheart, the late princess of theAutumn Kingdom.”

No one laughs.

No one moves.

No one evenbreathes.

“Crazy, right?” I look at my parents’ faces, and my stomach drops.

“Told you she was batshit.” Killian laughs, but I barely hear his words, barely register his hand ruffling my hair. My parents look at each other, then back at me, panic written all over their faces.

Everything slows as my mind struggles to catch up to what my body already knows. “Ma?” I croak, my throat dry.

“Aurelia.” She reaches for me, but I step back.

“It’s true?” My head swims as everything I thought I knew comes crashing down around me.

My whole life has been a lie.

“Sweetheart—” my mother starts, but I cut her off.

Anger quickly replaces my shock.“Is. It. True?”

“I’m so sorry, Sunny.” She covers her mouth with her hand and looks to my father for reassurance.

“Let’s all go and sit.” My father gestures inside.“We’re happy to answer any questions you may have.”

Killian looks between all of us.“What in the hell is going on right now?” His confusion seems legitimate, and he’s always been a terrible liar, so I doubt he became a master of deception overnight.

Numb and confused, I don’t have the emotional or physical energy to argue, so I turn and walk into our sitting room, taking a seat in the chair closest to the fireplace. My family follows me, settling in. Killian chooses the chair closest to mine while our parents sit together on the well-loved leather couch.

My mother keeps her eyes downcast, but my father speaks, sounding resigned.“The seer spoke the truth.”

Killian leans back in his chair and runs a hand through histhick blonde hair in disbelief.“So you’re not her parents? She’s not my sister?”

“We’re your godparents,” my father clarifies. “But we love you, Aurelia, as if you are our own flesh and blood.”

I shake my head, refusing to meet my father’s eyes. I know they love me. I’ve felt that love every day of my life. I just can’t help but feel betrayed at the moment.

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