Page 103 of Cages and Crowns
We abandon our leisurely ride and race back to the palace, our horses moving faster than I ever thought possible the entire way. Enzo doesn’t wait for me to dismount as he runs for the front door. Nero helps me down, his hands on my hips.
“Are you alright, my queen?” He asks, looking down at me.
“Yes, I’ll be fine.” I respond, my eyes holding his gaze.
“Should you need anything, I am at your service.” I offer him a smile and step out of his arms. I don’t look back, even though I want to, and follow after Enzo.
“What is going on?” Scarlett scares me and I jump as she rounds the corner. “Enzo is in there, yelling at his father. What happened?” Her eyes search mine frantically and I reach for her hand.
“I remember everything.”
“Everything?” Her free hand flies up to cover her mouth.
“Everything, but…” I glance down the hallway towards the council room.
“What?”
“I remember Malathea. When she was still in her mother’s womb.” I admit, her hand drops, and she furrows her brows.
“How is that possible?” She shakes her head.
“She’s Amaya’s. Mal is Tobias’s sister.” Her eyes widen as it sinks in, I release her hand and follow the sound of Enzo’s voice as he yells at someone. I let it carry me down the hall, Scarlett’s heels clicking behind me.
“Who knew?” He yells. I step through the entryway and see Davenport sitting in his chair at the head of the table. Kassius’s eyes are wide, and his mouth is open as his eyes flick back and forth between me and Enzo.
“You remember.”
“I remember.” His eyes widen as he realizes he’ll have to tell the truth. Anger brews deep in my belly as I stare at him. Lie after lie. What else is he hiding?
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Enzo interrupts, screaming at his father.
“What would I have said? That your little sister’s older brother is torturing yourotherlittle sister? That would have confused you even more than it did just now. Her mother doesn’t matter.Shedoes.”
“You went to her, to siphon the curse nine months before she died. You tried to help her.” I say.
“And I failed. I couldn’t stop it; it was too far gone. It had been too long since the last time I helped her.” His face falls and I can see the pain.
“Does she know her older brother is a king?”
“No, and sheneverwill.” Kassius spits.
“She deserves to know!” He snaps.
“No, she doesn’t.” I say quietly. They both turn to look at me and I step up to the table. “The less people who know, the better. What do you think Tobias will do if he finds out he has a sister? Probably the same thing he’s doing to find his son. He will tear the kingdom apart and anyone who stands in his way. She is safe with us; she won’t be safe with him.”
“That’s her brother.” Enzo grits out.
“No,youare her brother, Enzo. He is just someone who shares her blood.” I say sternly, forcing him to listen.
“How can you say that? Would you say that about me?” His voice cracks.
“Gods no, Enzo. But you aren’t a monster. He is.” I hold his gaze and reach out for his hand.
“Two siblings you have lied about, father. Is there a third somewhere I should know about?” He turns and faces Kassius.
“No, son. I’m sorry.”
“No more secrets. We can’t do this anymore. We can’t have new bombs dropped on us every single day.” I say loudly, getting everyone’s attention.
