Page 27 of Queen Takes Knights
“These are the truths revealed by the blood of the goddess that runs in your veins.”
Shara leaned back against me and shivered slightly, so I wrapped my arm around her, pulling her into my warmth. “What do I do with them?”
“You need do nothing with them. The power associated with Isis’s gifts is already yours to command. These are merely representations, or maybe talismans would be a better word. This is your legacy, passed down through thousands of years. She’s here in these jars, because She is in you. Sheisyou. In your case, wholly you, because She has no other heirs left.”
“I’m not her. I’m not… a goddess.”
“Yes, you are,” I said firmly, pressing my lips to Shara’s head. “You’re She. Isis incarnate.”
“I’m Shara,” she said firmly, burrowing tighter into my embrace.
“Yes,” I whispered, breathing in my scent. “Shara. Isador. Last living daughter of Isis. Last to carry Her blood on this earth. In that regard, you are Isis.”
“And that’s why they will want you dead.” Ms. Talbott picked up the lid of the box, holding it out to Shara. An old leather book was strapped inside. “Your family history, plus some surprises your ancestors left behind. Just in case. It’s a sort of Isador Book of Shadows.”
Shara unbuckled the leather straps holding the book in place and took it. “Have you read it?”
“Absolutely not. I’d probably catch on fire if I tried to touch any of it. Though I have seen the legacy opened twice.”
“Mom and…?”
“Her sister.” Ms. Talbott placed the lid back on the box and covered it. Then she opened up her briefcase and pulled out a thick manila folder. “Now, let’s go over a few things—”
“I have an aunt?”
Her mouth tightened and she shook her head. “No. It’s complicated. Selena’s sister is no more.”
Shara stared at her a moment. “You can’t say her name.”
Ms. Talbott gave her a small, sad smile and inclined her head. “Your Majesty, if we may proceed, I’d like to show you the rest of your legacy. This side, financial. As you can see, you’re an extremely wealthy young woman.”
Shara turned her head to me. “Do you know who my aunt was?”
I shook my head. “Sorry, no, I never heard that tale. Daire, do you know?”
“Nope.”
I could feel her curiosity burning in our bond. Curiosity that might get her into trouble… or worse, hurt. “If Ms. Talbott is under a geas not to say your aunt’s name, or tell anyone about her, then you must ask yourself who would do such a thing? Who would want her silenced?”
“The Triune,” she whispered. “But why? First, Mom abandons everything she knows, including her power, and lives like a human. And now I hear I have an aunt that Mom never mentioned. What am I getting myself into here?”
“Aima court games.” Daire said. “It’s like a snake’s den, crocodile watering hole, and cock fight all at the same time.”
“Sounds terrible.”
“It is,” Ms. Talbott agreed. “And please, call me Gina. That’s one of the greatest benefits to being so far from court. We can just be ourselves. There’s no strict rules of procession and titles that we must go by.”
“So says the woman who curtsied and called me ‘Your Majesty.’”
Gina laughed. “Guilty as charged. Now please, Shara,” she said with emphasis, “take a look at your accounts. Everything’s in order.”
Shara glanced at the top paper and shuffled through several pages. Froze. Then went back to the first page. “Really? That’s what I’m worth? Is that even a real number?”
“Indeed it is. The Isador legacy is massive. It’s been accumulating for thousands of years, expanding and changing over the years. I’ve worked with my team to keep your investments well diversified, mostly conservative, and you’re still worth more than the Queen of England and Bill Gates put together.”
Which pissed me off all over again. “Shara should have been wrapped in luxury her entire life, rather than starving, homeless, and scared.”
“I know.” Gina leaned forward and reached out to touch Shara’s knee. “I hate that so many things went wrong. I hate that I wasn’t able to help you when you needed help the most. And if there’s anything I can do now, no matter how small, that’s my job, and my pleasure. I live to serve you and house Isador.”
