Page 44 of The Great and Terrible

Pregnant. I pressed a palm against my mouth. “You expect me to believe my dad isn’t really my dad. No. Absolutely not.” I shook my head with force. That wasn’t possible.

“Denial isn’t proof, Moriah.” A gentle rebuke.

I shifted in my seat. All right, if his implicationwaspossible—which it wasn’t. But if it wasn’t…biologically related to my dad? Information I wasn’t equipped to process while also processing the fact that my mother had once ruled this strange, terrible land.

I had to shove my next question through clenched teeth. “What would this connection mean for me, if it were true?”

“I’m not sure. History doesn’t paint the king and queen in a favorable light. In fact, they are considered a topic never to be mentioned. If you are indeed their child, a princess, there’s nothing but animosity for you to inherit.”

I gripped my knees. “My mother was kind and gentle with a ready smile. No one in their right mind would paint her as anything but amazing.”

“My words weren’t a smear on her character. They were merely a statement of fact.”

“I want to read these so-called history books.”

“There are none. Little trace of the royals remains. Those who remember them do not speak of them. To my knowledge, only a lone portrait survived public burnings.”

My nails dug into bone. “Who’s in power now?” Did I have family members in Hakeldama?

“All relatives were executed by citizens soon after the king’s death. As the world descended into chaos, the Guardian seized the crown, replacing the Ori-Emets to bring order to the land.”

I waved a trembling hand in aplease continuegesture.

Jasher nodded. “Soon after the Guardian’s ascension, he discovered a journal written by the king. Or queen. I’m not sure which. I’ve never read it. Either way, he studies it often and keeps it contained inside a locked room only a trusted few may enter. I’ve had the privilege only twice. That’s the reason I’ve seen the portrait. It, too, remains in the locked room.”

My determination to reach the City of Lux reached new heights. I must see that portrait and read that journal. “I won’t comment on any of this right now. I need time to think.” And a distraction until this sense of rawness dulled. “Tell me about your parents. Your brothers.”

Jasher stared at me, silent for a long while. So long I figured he’d ended the conversation. Then he stated, “I don’t wish to discuss my parents, but I will tell you my brothers are both enforcers in the royal army, like me. More and more, Anders has been wandering off, neglecting his duties. Reese and I cover for him as best we can, but this time he has disappeared for much longer than usual.”

Concern dripped from his last words. “You love him,” I stated.

“Very much. Along with Reese, he is the most important person in my life. But he will cause us nothing but trouble if he fails to report to the Guardian on time.”

The Tinman had a heart, after all. Go figure. “There must be a reason he keeps wandering off.”

“Yes. He dreams of living a normal life.” Jasher scoffed. “Marriage and children.”

“Not a fan of commitment.” I mimed writing in a book. “Noted.”

“There’s no law against it, but most royal guards choose not to have a romantic partner. If ever they must be executed, we are the one assigned to do the deed.” His voice tightened at the end.

Yeah, that would deter me, too. “Do you have any leads on Ander’s location?”

“Only that he was seen in the forest.”

Wait. The chapel landed atop a man near the forest who’d worn an executioner’s boots. Two strikes…

I pressed my tongue to the roof of my mouth. No. No! The odds were too high. Astronomical. Jasher’s beloved sibling hadn’t died by being crushed under a building brought hereby tornado. So there was no need to mention it. No need to risk incurring his anger. His blame. Punishment.

He stood, a tower of muscle and might as usual. “We tell no one of your potential connection to the former royals. Understand? Others might assume you’re here to reclaim power.”

As if I would ever wish to live in this land. “I understand,” I assured him, grateful.

He lifted his chin. “Take the bed and get some rest. Tomorrow will be a busy day.” A few steps took him to the couch, where he stretched out, leaving me baffled by his kindness.

“But you paid for the room. You should enjoy the bed.”

“Your pet is cozy, and I have no wish to cuddle a rabdog.” He patted his stubbled cheek. “I like my face.”

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