She wrapped her arms around Graves, and Vale stepped back into the fringes, unable to let Graves be alone—something made his feet stay rooted to the spot, even though he had instructed the others to stay away and give Graves this time in private.
A beat of silence passed, and then Graves returned her embrace, a twin sob filling the air as he murmured, "Sorill. It’s me. I’m here."
Vale hadn’t seen Graves’s siblings in centuries, but watching them all, he was hit with another wave of jealousy.
Princess Sorill was the youngest, a short female with black wings that were slightly smaller than the rest from a premature birth. The other two watched beside their mother, and Vale didn’t miss their guarded faces, ripe with hurt.
Sorill finally stepped away, wiping her eyes, the same deep blue. "Sora, Soro, don’t let anger ruin this moment," Sorill addressed the two twins who stood by their mother.
Sora, a tall female who had a beringed hand pressed over her very pregnant stomach, and Soro, a male who shared his twin’sdownturned mouth, a slightly different shape than Graves’s and Sorill’s.
But the twins did not move.
"Brother," said Prince Soro, his voice a softer lilt than Graves’s, and as he stepped to the side, Sora was revealed in clearer detail.
Graves staggered back at the sight of Sora. "You’re with child."
Sora cupped her stomach gently. "I am." Her voice hardened. "You would have known if you had been here."
Graves shook his head. "I-I am sorry, Sora. Soro, please?—"
Soro stepped back. "Save it, Sorren. Though, from what I hear, you have forsaken your name, too.Graves."
Graves visibly flinched, and Vale’s dragon gripped the bars of his cage, smoke filling his lungs.
The winged one is ours. Protect.
At that moment, Vale and his dragon were on the same page. Graves was his brother by choice, not by blood. Through every angry word and scheme, they still chose each other. And his dragon felt that kinship, too.
This was not his battle, however.
"Enough. This is supposed to be a joyous reunion. Sorill is right," the Queen said. "I knew it was better to have you all meet here in private instead of at the celebration."
Soro turned to the Queen. "Mother, heleftus?—"
Queen Samil raised a hand. "Enough. I brought you three, thinking you would be pleased to see your brother. Though, the true reason we are here is not for pleasantries, but answers."
Graves met Vale’s eyes.
It was time.
The King stepped forward, and the sound of his boots on the floor made all eyes turn to him.
Sorill smiled. "King Vale."
Vale returned her smile; though, it felt forced. "Princess Sorill. Prince Soro." He inclined his head. "Princess Sora, congratulations."
Unsmiling, the Princess rubbed her belly.
"Queen Samil, we are here for a reason," Vale started, "and it is a grave secret. Do I have your confidence?"
The Queen’s eyes narrowed, but she nodded.
Graves sucked in a breath, and Vale began:
"Princess Luella of Solis is the half-angel daughter of the King and Queen of Luna."
He chose his words carefully, plucking each syllable from the grapevine of his thoughts. One word, then another. All said with the utmost attention. Nothing slipped through the cracks as he spoke, Graves chiming in on occasion. Until the Queen of the Fallen Isles understood, in part, murky and dark,whythey were here, whom they sought, and the prophecy that drove their every action.
