Page 43 of Unleash Hades
“Hi, Mummy,” said Romulus, as he leaned down to kiss my cheek.
My not-so-sweet, though no-less-loving, Remus sat across from me, and gave me a curt nod. “Good morning, Mother.”
I laughed, because as serious as he might be, he was still my baby boy. Even if I never had them as babies. But Remus was obviously too old to have aMummy.
“Good morning, my darling boys.”
Morning light drifted in through the French doors of the balcony that faced Central Park. The city was still sleeping, the streets devoid of the usual honking horns and construction.
My family rose early, even on the weekends, at the insistence of Richard, who did not believe in sloth.
Of course, the rules didn’t apply to him, though, as he was noticeably absent from the table. Not because he slept in… but because he was elsewhere. But we never mentioned it.
“Mummy?” Romulus said, breaking open a croissant and filling it with sweet strawberry jam.
“Yes, sweetheart?” I loved using endearments for my boys.
I did it with Richard because it placated him. Like kissing the ring of an egotistical dictator. It showed devotion, and kept the pretense that we were a loving married couple. But with my boys? The words of love fell freely from my mouth, and as I gave it, my resolve hardened.
I would be a good mother since theirs was gone.
“Will you stay home for a while?” His voice was grim, like this was the most solemn of requests. “Do you have any more assignments that would take you overseas?”
Poor boys. They were used to me packing my bags and going away to cover some catastrophe or other. But I had been firm this summer. I wanted to concentrate on my family. I wanted to fill them with love and assurances before I turned their world upside down.
“Of course,” I promised, wondering where this was coming from. “The only traveling I’ll do will be scheduled around you two.”
“You’ll take us to Cambridge? And maybe…” Romulus flushed, his cheeks turning red.
“What is it, darling?” I reached out and held my son’s hand in mine, looking at him patiently, as he figured out what he was going to say.
In a lot of ways, he reminded me of Chloe. The hesitance to ask for things, even though they were well within reason.
“He wants you to take us around Laurent Estates,” Remus supplied. “And…”
Romulus flushed a crimson red, as his brother spoke for him.
It was something hehated.It bothered me too, the way Remus could just plough over someone, so I stepped in.
“Don’t speak for Rom, Remus,” I chided, trying to look stern. But it was hard. Everything they did was precious, even when it wasn’t.
“You indulge him too much, Mother.” My eldest boy - elder by minutes - looked at me with the same condescending look of his father.
How tragic that he was truly their father. They did not know it, of course. They were told they were the fatherless sons of a maid, generously adopted by their rich employers after theirMamanpassed in an accident. But over the years, their resemblance to Richard grew.
Everyone suspected. But like with so many things, I towed the line and lied about their origins. I lied so much, sometimes, I wondered if I was losing touch with the truth.
“Just tell her,” Remus said, letting out an exasperated sigh as he rolled his dark eyes.
Romulus bit his lower lip.
“Say it!” Remus practically shouted, snapping his fingers at his little brother who fumed in his seat, crossing his arms and pouting like he was a toddler again.
“Be kind to your brother,” I reprimanded Remus again. “You can’t just bully everyone to do what you want.”
“Of course, I can, Mother,” he said with a snort. “It’s the very definition of power.”
“And power is, by its existence, evil.” Romulus glared.
