32. Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Two
“Grab the journal and have a seat, Sapphira.”
My feet were stuck, and I couldn’t move. I looked for a frown, sad eyes, pinched facial features. Any hope to read how she felt right now and found none. She was impassive, cool even.
“Sapphira, please.” She sighed and sipped her tea.
I did as I was told and sat with a slight shake in my hands, the journal bouncing on my lap.
She lifted a delicate hand out and I placed the evidence of my betrayal in her palm. My mother loved me fiercely. Whatever came from this conversation, I’d try to remember that.
It opened.
Pages were flipped and the queen smiled.
“I just wanted to secure us more time. I’m very sorry.”
Err… What?
I didn’t say anything. Mother scanned the pages with a mixture of smiles, longing, and I’m pretty sure glistening tears growing in her eyes.
“I’m not mad at you for wanting to know the truth.
For feeling my lies through that prince’s power and even using my gifts to get the journal.
I know you. You’re so curious and deserve to hear the truth from me.
” She paused on a page toward the middle, her fingers touching the paper as if it were the face of a loved one.
Her head lifted and something heavy settled in my gut.
“I am willing to tell you everything you want to know. But you must decide how much that is.”
I mean, that made sense, but why did she look so serious saying it? If I didn’t want to hear more, like if those pages revealed the hot romance moments between she and my father, I’d rather not know.
“This is deadly knowledge. Your life has been dependent on keeping it a secret. Once it’s out, everything you know will unfortunately be shattered.” It was her queen voice coming through with those last words.
What the hell was in that journal?
“You’re saying telling me the truth could kill me?” Doubt crept in, and I picked at my cuticles absentmindedly.
“Unfortunately, yes. But it’s your life, Sapphira. I’m sorry it’s taken me this long. I just…” Her voice trembled and I was out of my seat, dropping to my knees, and grabbing a hold of her hand.
Tears fell from both our eyes as she kept talking. “I couldn’t risk your life, and his, and my kingdom. I’ve broken myself to protect you and I pray, my brave daughter, that you will forgive me.”
Whatever secrets she held inside were cracking, ready to burst out of her, but she needed me to open the gates first. “Tell me everything. I will handle it.” At least I fucking hope so.
She sniffed, squeezed my hand, and nodded more so for herself. Like she needed to give herself a mental pep talk.
“Seventy years ago, a king and his two sons came to Crysia.”
So, it did have something to do with my father.
“He was old, and on his third wife whom he had a young daughter with. The women he left back in the palace and hauled his grown sons here. They came to discuss trade between us. Their kingdom in the north was known for their precious metals and science. Industrious people.”
Not a bad story so far.
She pulled her hand away from mine and gestured for me to sit on the chair again. To get comfortable.
“During discussion, we were attacked by a horde of wild humans who snuck through the portal. Together, we saved the kingdom. The people celebrated victory, and that’s when the king proposed I marry his son Lachlan.
A union of peace, and prosperity.” She scoffed, and that had me on the edge of my cushion.
Was our kingdom not peaceful and prosperous as I assumed? I talked to our people and helped my parents with daily royal duties. Sure, we had a goblin problem, and I guess Verin’s future war, but was I so blind?
“Lachlan was smooth, calculating, and cold. He was more than willing to become King of Crysia.”
Chills shot across my body. It’s one thing for me to think those things about my father, but it’s another to hear them from his wife.
“His brother Desmire was different.”
Desmire.
My father’s brother.
Aunt Desiniri’s brother.
My uncle.
“Desmire was grumpy, and brave, and made me laugh.” She smiled and looked at me with love beaming in her eyes. “The Heart Tree likes surprises, I guess. It’s been hard seeing you struggle as I had all those years ago.”
My mouth dropped. Did she mean?
“We found out we were mates after one kiss. A match between his onyx and dragon core to my diamond. The strongest in the whole realm, aside from you and your mate’s. I fear that match is stronger in many ways.”
I couldn’t think, couldn’t breathe.
“Should I keep going?” she asked and it took everything in me to nod. I needed to know even if it damned me.
“Word of an engagement to Lachlan spread before I could stop it. The king refused to give up his best son and warrior to Crysia. Desmire and I could have fought them off, kept the kingdom safe together. But it would have been bloody, and many lives would have perished.”
Desmire was her mate. He obviously knew who she married and had a child with. He must have been so hurt seeing me in Crystoria.
Then I remembered his big smile and proud face.
He didn’t hate me. If anything, I’d say he cared greatly about me.
“Over these years, Lachan has not been faithful, and I have not cared.”
Because she wasn’t either. That’s where this is going isn’t it? The great truth, the secret she’s kept from me all these years.
She’s been with her mate, Desmire. Sneaking around. That man she pulled into her room in Crystoria wasn’t my father, but her love.
My body froze as the truth slammed into me, even without her saying them.
“Desmire’s my true father, isn’t he?”
My world flipped upside down, and I’m fairly certain the walls were inching closer.
Her head dipped once. “Yes, but there’s more.”