Page 38 of A Petal in the Crown

Lea's heart shattered as she stared into the witch’s face. The curve of her jaw and the narrow bridge of her nose a mirror to her own.

“I am,” Lea said, her voice coming out a whisper.

The woman's chin trembled, and she took a step forward, her other hand wiping the soot from Lea's cheek.

“Then you are not only their daughter,” she said, her voice cracking. “You’re mine, too.” Tears slid from the corners of her scarred eyes, her whole body shaking. “You're alive. You're alive,” she said again, pulling Lea into a bone-crushing hug. “Gods forgive me for what I did, but you're alive.”

Chapter 24

Gray

They would have gathered in Gray's study, except that his study was now nothing more than charred, smoking stone and ruins. Miraculously, no one had been harmed in the fire. The fire the sun god had lit as punishment for Lea’s disobedience, if Evangeline was to be believed, seemed to have been more for destruction than to cause death. A warning for them all that they were navigating a dangerous path.

Gray had suggested using his father's study, but Lea had refused, admitting that her dark magic felt too hard to control in his part of the castle. Her voice had been strained as she’d said the words, and Gray could tell it was hard for her to admit that weakness to him. Knew that she was still trying to pretend as if she had everything under control. Watching her struggle made Gray feel like he couldn't breathe, like his lungs couldn't expand enough to allow him a single shallow breath. But what could he do? He had no more experience with controlling the magic of the gods than she did.

He had no advice, other than what he'd already offered to her, so he simply stayed nearby. Always touching her, rubbing her back or running his fingers up and down her arm. It didn't seem to give her any relief from the turmoil inside her, but he hoped that it at least helped remind her that she wasn't alone.

“Someone better fucking explain what's happening,” Gray said as he took his seat, his temper growing shorter by the minute. They sat around the table in the grand dining hall, Gray and Lea both at the head, Erik to Gray’s left, and Eudora and Tanad seated at the other end.

Even in the worst of times, Tanad normally had a twinkle in his eye that betrayed his serious demeanor, his deep-seated belief that everything would be okay, eventually. But today, his eyes were cold and calculating. Hard in a way Gray had never seen before.

Before anyone had the chance to answer, Tanad stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the stone floor, almost tipping backward. He stalked behind Eudora, his arms crossed over his chest and his lips pressed into a tight line. Gray watched him closely, trying to determine if Tanad had known about Evangeline. If she truly was Lea's mother, and he had known all this time, Gray would never be able to forgive him. He’d certainly never feel comfortable trusting him again. But based on the tension in his posture and the furious glint in his eye, Gray guessed that he was as surprised as the rest of them.

“I agree,” Tanad said. “Explain. Now.”

For the first time, Eudora looked sheepish. Maybe even regretful, but Gray knew better than to trust what he saw and heard when it came to that vile witch.

“I love her, too.” Eudora’s voice was almost pleading as she twisted to look at Tanad.

“Don't.” He held up a hand. “Do not speak to me of loving her. Have youseenher? Her—” He swallowed, bringing a hand to his mouth. “What was done to her is abhorrent!”

“I didn't know he had tortured her. The cage she was in blocked my visions. Icouldn'tsee what was happening to her.” Eudora tilted her head and furrowed her brows, as if not concretely knowing Evangline had been tortured should absolve her of their ire.

“Does it matter?” Tanad snapped. “You knew she was in the hands of the most evil Fae who has ever lived, and you didnothing!” He slammed his palms on the table, and Eudora flinched. “We could have saved her. I would have found a way! She was like a child to us. We raised that girl!”

“It's really her then?” Lea asked Tanad, not bothering to look at Eudora. “That woman… She's my birth mother?”

Tanad’s eyes softened for the first time since he’d entered the room, his shoulders falling. He held his palms out to her. “You have to believe I didn't know, my dear. She was just gone one day. I searched for her, but—” He stopped, taking a deep breath. “Yes, the witch you rescued from the cage is Evangeline. Your birth mother.”

“How could my mother be a witch?” she asked. Gray’s stomach twisted into knots. It wasn’t adding up. Tanad had told him about Evangeline, and shehadn’tbeen a witch. Her magic had allowed her to keep death at bay, and she’d been a seer, but her parents weren’t witches. Queen Emmaline and her mate were both fully fae.

“Speak,” Tanad's tone sharpened again as he spoke to Eudora. There was no kindness or compassion in his voice, and Eudora curled her shoulders inward, but lifted her chin. A surge of rage sped through Gray’s veins at the complacency on her face, and Gray wondered what Tanad would do if he were to wring her neck. If there was ever to be a time he could get away with it and keep their alliance intact, this was likely it, based on the wrath emanating from Tanad’s expression.

Eudora sighed. “Evangeline knew the king would eventually find out about her, and by extension, you.” Eudora's eyes snapped to Lea. “You should be honored, really. She did it to protect you. You’re the reason she’s lived in that cage for the past twenty-three years.” Her words weren't accusatory, but matter of fact. Gray searched her tone for any hint of remorse. Any hint of regret, but it simply wasn’t there. She spoke as if discussing the weather outside.

Gray wanted to strangle her, but Lea beat him to his feet. “You're a fucking bitch,” Lea said, stalking toward her. Her hand trembled, her fingers extended as if she wanted to slap Eudora’s insincere smile off her face. “Why should I believe anything coming out of your mouth? All you’ve done is lie.”

“But I have no reason to lienow,” Eudora said, holding out her arms as if confused why they weren’t believing her. As if her statement was fact. “Not now that you've retrieved her for me.”

It made Gray’s blood boil. “My patience is running thin, Eudora,” he said, the wood creaking beneath his fingers where he gripped his chair.

“As is mine,” Tanad snapped, beginning to pace.

Eudora sighed, rubbing her forehead as she settled back in her chair. “The Black King was hunting Evangeline.” She met Lea's eyes. “And she was afraid. Not for herself, but foryou. The more powerful Brennus became, the more he could feel Evangeline’s magic. The gods’ magic. Though hers isn’t quite as strong as yours, it’s still stronger than most. Strong enough for the king to sense someone out there in his kingdom with so much power, he could almost taste it. Evangeline knew he wouldn’t rest until he found her.”

Tanad’s face turned grim. “We hid her well. She was safe with us.”

“It was foreseen,” Eudora said. “It was her own vision that prompted her to ask for my help.”

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