Page 52 of Kingdom of Briars and Roses

“Two decades of the cold shoulder, and now you suddenly have something to say?” the older one demanded.

The younger one snorted.

“What’s wrong, Age?” Sonoma said, taunting in a way I’d never heard from her before. “Did you miss me?”

The younger one grinned. “He’s missed bickering with you, I’ll tell you that.”

“Shut up, Eld,” the one called Age snapped—and then to Sonoma, “Is this what you called us here for? To argue and taunt?”

“No.” The light in Sonoma’s eyes winked out. “I am ready to come home.”

I stared at her, stunned, but she didn’t meet my eyes.

“You are finally prepared to relinquish your Menrythian power,” Age said with a sniff.

“You’re the one who told me the power in this realm was inferior to yours,” she said.

The old man just grinned, though there was nothing pleased about the expression.

“We agreed you would remain here as long as possible,” the younger one—Eld—said. “To use the magic of this realm against that little thief.”

Sonoma looked pained. “My Aine magic has failed me, and I… I need to take my rightful place if I’m to remain useful.”

Age and Eld said nothing, but I couldn’t hold my tongue any longer.

“What the Hel is going on?” I demanded.

Both Furiosities turned to me, and I recoiled at the power that came with those stares. The sheer weight of it against my shoulders threatened to send me to my knees. But I refused to cower—at least until I had some answers.

Eld gave me a once-over and turned back to Sonoma. “You haven’t told her?” he demanded.

She shook her head. “Too many would kill for this truth. It was safer that she not know—or don’t you remember this discussion?”

I ignored Age still studying me and turned to Sonoma. “What else haven’t you told me?” I demanded. When she didn’t answer, I looked back at Age. “Do you know me?”

His expression was unflinching. “I know you as surely as I know all who share my blood.”

“Your… what?” It felt as if the breath had been knocked out of me.

“You’re one of us,” Eld said almost gently compared to his brother. Almost.

My heart slammed against my chest. One of them? Dread crawled up my spine, and a strange and sickly sort of anticipation came over me. Like whatever they had just said—and whatever they were about to say next—was going to change my entire life.

“What are they talking about?” I asked Sonoma.

“Your father is Ire,” she said quietly. “The third ruler of Hel. Their brother.”

My mouth fell open. Neither of the Furiosities contradicted her. I wasn’t sure why I’d expected them to. Except thatthis was madness. Complete and utter nonsense. It had to be. My father was lying in his bed next to my mother—sleeping a cursed sleep.

And yet… didn’t it make sense of my power if I’d been sired by Hel itself?

My mouth went dry. Already, I could feel reality shifting on its axis to accommodate this new truth. No, not truth. Possibility. I couldn’t make that leap yet.

“This is where my death magic comes from?”

Sonoma watched me as if I were some wounded animal. “Yes.”

She met my eyes, and I saw pain—so much pain. Regret. Sorrow. Longing. It was heartbreaking, but I couldn’t let myself feel it. Not now, in front of them.

---