Chapter 9
“Your daughter?” Ro hadn’t imagined words existed that could make her resent Star any more than she currently did. But there they were.
Star said nothing, just nodded so slightly that the movement seemed involuntary.
Every emotion Ro had been trying to tamp down rose up with such ferocity she thought she might temporarily go blind. She pushed to her feet and strode toward the fireplace, which only took a few steps. But the distance helped. A little.
She needed to be away from this woman. She stared at the artwork over the mantel, a pastoral scene of marulas in a clovered field.
Violet sucked in a breath. “You had another child?”
Ro didn’t look. She couldn’t.
After a moment, Star spoke. “Yes. Quite a few years after Sparrow was born. Ten or eleven, I think.”
That spun Ro around. “You don’t even remember the year I was born?”
“I—”
Ro threw her hands up. “Don’t answer. I don’t care. It doesn’t matter.”
“Sparrow, please. I knew this would upset you, but I was a different person when I had Dove. Older, wiser. In a better position to take care of her.”
“Dove?”
“Yes. Your half-sister’s name is Dove. Dove Engells.”
Ro exhaled. She wanted to end this conversation so she could go back to her apartment and pretend none of this was happening.
But a queen didn’t get to do that, did she?
She had yet to look at Star. “Why do you need to go back to her? And no, telling her you’re not really dead isn’t a good enough answer. ”
“Dove has a son, Mason. Your nephew. He’s eight years old and he’s been in and out of hospitals and psych wards since he was four. He’s a good kid, but he’s got these abilities no one can explain.”
That got Ro to sit back down. “What kind of abilities?”
“It sounds crazy, but he can move things with his mind. He sometimes has dreams that come true. Like predictions.”
Ro caught Violet looking at her.
Star went on. “It all started when he was three. He could turn the TV on by himself and his favorite show would come on, regardless of whether or not it was actually playing at that time and on that channel. He turned their white dog blue on several occasions. He made it rain once, but only in front of their house.”
She shook her head. “Dove’s had her hands full, but the worst part is Child Protective Services has started looking at her.
Like she’s making all this up for attention.
Like they might take Mason away. She’s a good mother.
She deserves to know that there’s a real reason Mason can do all this stuff. ”
Ro sat back. “What about Dove’s husband? Where does he fit into all of this? Or is she a single mom, too?” It did seem to run in the family.
Star shook her head. “Dove’s a widow. Her husband, Michael, was severely injured in a construction accident and died on the operating table. That happened when Mason was three. We’ve always sort of thought it was what triggered Mason’s…abilities.”
Ro didn’t say anything as her anger ebbed away. She could see from Violet’s expression that her aunt was already feeling sympathy for Star. Ro did what any good ruler would. “I don’t want a little boy to suffer.”
Star let out a sob. “Thank you.”
“I’m not making any promises about anything. This needs to be investigated further.” Ro didn’t want it to appear like she was doing something just because family she knew nothing about was in trouble, but if they were fae, which it seemed they were, they deserved protection.
“What are you going to do?” Violet asked.
“I’ll speak to Uldamar and Gabriel in the morning. See about organizing a visit.” She looked at Star. “I’ll need as much information about Dove as you can give me.”
“Or I could go with you,” Star volunteered.
“Not a chance.” She held Star’s gaze. “I’m not doing this for you. I’m doing this for Dove and her son. Mostly because I think she might actually care about her child.”
Ro stood. “Write up Dove’s information. Address, phone number, where she works, anything like that will be useful. Give it to a page and have it sent to my quarters. I’ll see what I can find out.”
She looked at her aunt. Violet got to her feet. She put her hand on Star’s shoulder. “Be a good girl, please. Remember that you’re a guest.”
Ro headed for the door, Violet coming along with her.
When they were back in the hall and well on their way, Violet shot Ro a look.
“You were hard on her. Not saying I don’t understand or that she didn’t deserve it, but you must remember what it was like when you first got here.
How much there was to learn, what a change it was. ”
“I do. But none of that caused me to assume I had any power. Star isn’t going to suddenly become someone who cares about anyone other than herself. The leopard doesn’t change its spots, Aunt Vi.”
“No, I suppose not, but she certainly seems to care about Dove and Mason.”
“She does. But I don’t doubt bringing them here would benefit her. She’d have her family back with her, which I’m sure she’d like. And she wouldn’t have to try to make amends with me because she’d have Dove. It’s a win-win for Star.”
“Do you really think she could make amends with you?”
Ro hesitated. “No, probably not. But I’m sure with enough time, we might find a level of civility. She will never be my mother, though.”
Violet looped her arm through Ro’s. “It’s incredibly hurtful to you, isn’t it, that she had another daughter? One she obviously didn’t hand off to someone else.”
Tears stung Ro’s eyes. She blinked them away. “Yes,” she whispered. She cleared her throat. “I don’t really want to talk about this.”
“I know. Hard things are hard to talk about. Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. You’re allowed to feel the way you feel. I’m hurt on your behalf. But your life turned out very well. So did JT’s.”
Ro nodded. “Yes, it did. You want me to help Dove, don’t you.”
“Yes, I do. She and her son shouldn’t be punished for what Star’s done.” Violet paused. “It’s also occurred to me that if this boy is already demonstrating such powers at such a young age…”
“I know,” Ro said. “He might be the next great wizard of Summerton. That’s why I want to bring Uldamar in on this. If he’s willing to make the trip, he should be able to determine if the boy’s powers are real or just something Dove’s made up for attention.”
“Do you really think she’d do that?”
They were nearly back to the royal apartments. “Violet, she’s Star’s daughter. Do you really think the apple falls far from the tree?”
Violet pursed her lips. “You did.”
“Okay, true, but I had your influence to guide me. It’s also possible that Star’s making all this up just to get me to meet Dove. Or maybe it’s so I’ll pass on the message that her mother’s not really dead. Who knows with Star?”
“You might be right,” Violet said. “Star is not the most trustworthy person out there.”
“She’s not remotely trustworthy, in my opinion.”
They stopped outside their doors. Ro hugged her aunt. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow and let you know what’s going on, okay?”
Violet patted Ro’s cheek. “Whatever you decide, I’ll support you. You sleep good now. You deserve it.”
“Thanks, Aunt Vi.” Ro stood in the hall until her aunt had gone into her own apartment. Then she turned to the guard at her door. “Send for Lord Nightborne. I need to speak to him.”
“Your highness, Lord Nightborne is already in your sitting room.”
Ro almost laughed. “Even better.”
The guard opened the door, and she went through the foyer.
Gabriel was stretched out on the couch. He was in his royal guard uniform of dark leather pants tucked into leather boots and a leather vest over a dark, trim-fitting shirt.
A very good look on him. His eyes opened as soon as she came into the sitting room.
She smiled at him. “Comfy?”
He got to his feet, tugging his vest down. “I was surprised you weren’t here. I wanted to see you before I headed down to the banquet.”
The meal was a thank you to the royal guards, wyvern, and neph who’d helped at Tenebrae this morning. “Is everything all right?”
“Everything’s fine. I just thought I should check in.” He came around from the couch to stand in front of her, taking one of her hands.
She loved the feel of his hand holding hers. “That was nice of you. I do have some things to discuss with you, but they can wait until morning. Breakfast?”
“I would like that. Here or the royal dining room?”
“Here. What I want to discuss is not for anyone else’s ears. Although I’ll want Uldamar here as well.”
“I can speak to him on my way down to the great hall.”
“Thank you. I guess I’ll see you in the morning then.”
“Yes.” He leaned in and kissed her. “Sleep well. You’ve earned it.”
She nodded, hoping sleep would be possible with all that was on her mind.