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My sister smiles warmly. “No, not now. I have all the family I want. I have my husbands, our daughter, and the two of you.”
“But what if it’s someone you already know?” I question. I can’t help but think Cia would change her mind if she knew it was Remus—someone she already knows and trusts.
“No, Morgana. Maybe I’ll change my mind one day, but today, that’s my answer.” Cia’s voice is less patient now. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to snap at you. I know there are a million and one secrets to unpack, and I’m sorry that’s become your job. But I trust you implicitly, Morgana. You’re my sister, so if you ever need me, I’m here for you.”
Lifting her top, she points to the Drákon tattoo she still has. And thanks to me, she and Gus will always carry it on their body. When they asked me if they could keep it I was shocked. Despite knowing that Kai burned Alexander’s Society tattoo away, it never occurred to me to demand the same from Cia and Gus.
I let Cia’s words circle my head as I absorb them. This is the answer I thought she’d give me. I’m still glad I’ve brought it up because Lupa is right, it’s not my secret to keep.
“I found out who my mom is,” I say, changing the subject.
“Was it Marian?” Cia asks softly.
Nodding, I focus on Selene. She’s so small and fragile, yet I already know she’s going to be a force to be reckoned with. She’s loved and protected by the most powerful people in this world, obviously. A part of me doesn’t think she’s going to need it. She may be a Kronos in name, hell, maybe even in blood. I don’t think anyone knows who her biological dad is, but I know better than most how little that matters.
Even though Uther wasn’t my biological dad, he’s taught me more than Alexander ever did. Thanks to a letter Arthur found a few months back, I learned that Marian was blackmailing Uther into raising me as his own.
In the letter, he explained that he cheated during the Hatt Tournament he participated in to become the next Heir, and somehow Marian had evidence of this despite her not even being alive. Or maybe she was, can’t say I know her exact age. The details don’t matter, only that there yet again was a lot of scheming, so much it spanned across generations.
“Of course,” I answer Cia. “Who else could it be?”
Since it’s a rhetorical question, I’m not actually expecting an answer. It’s just my bloody luck that the queen bitch is my biological mom. Which means that Gus is my brother… but not by blood. Jesus, it’s a wonder I’m not walking around with a chronic migraine from how intertwined everything is. Siblings and relatives are popping up left, right, and center.
“I take it Gus doesn’t know?” Cia asks, and I immediately shake my head.
“No, I haven’t told him yet. I don’t know if I want to.”
I can barely breathe as Cia shifts in her seat, taking her time before answering me. “If you want to tell him, you should. I’ll even help you get to know him better. But I’ll be honest, I don’t think he’ll be interested in a relationship. He’s still livid about everything Marian did.”
This is exactly why I haven’t brought it up yet, because I feel the same way. I’ve kind of decided I might tell him one day if it either becomes relevant or feels right. Now isn’t that time.
“I get that. Maybe I’ll let future Morgana tell him,” I say with a snort.
Cia looks like she’s lost in thought, so I let my eyes wander to Lupa who smiles proudly at me. Some of the ice I feel on the inside thaws under her gaze, and I sit a bit taller.
“Maybe one day I’ll be ready to hear whatever you found about me,” Cia says with a nervous laugh. “But right now, I’m not even intrigued. I can only imagine it would mean more family members, and… the thought of that isn’t a happy one. That might change as Selene grows up and starts asking questions.” Her tone is so sad I immediately feel bad for even bringing it up.
Before I can say something to cheer her up, Lupa interjects, “Nothing has to be decided today, does it? The knowledge isn’t going anywhere, so why rush it?”
Standing up, Cia reaches for her daughter, and I reluctantly let go of the snoring baby. I watch as Cia places her in the crib only feet from us. Then she turns around and looks at me.
“This is the last time I’ll discuss Marian in my house.” She inhales deeply, and squares her shoulders like she’s readying herself for something uncomfortable. “We’re not our parents, Morgana. Yours treated you like shit. You were used like a pawn instead of the queen on the chessboard. But you have the crown now, and I just know you’ll do great things.”
Tears well up in my eyes, distorting my vision. I take Lupa’s hand and squeeze it in mine.
“I’ve always said I’ll help you in any way you want me to, and I mean that. If you want me to come help you sort through files or people, I’ll be there tomorrow. You. Are. Not. Alone.”
“That’s what I’ve been saying,” Lupa chirps.
Cia smiles widely while shaking her finger admonishingly in my direction. “Something tells me you already know what to do, so you just have to go through with it.”
I throw my head back and laugh, but when Lupa shushes me while looking in Selene’s direction, I slap my hand over my mouth.
“Okay,” I say, looking at Lupa to gauge her reaction.
This isn’t just my idea, it’s something we came up with together. Well, it was more her than me, if I’m being honest. Lupa is the one who suggested a new Tribunal, one that helps people instead of dictating their lives. It’s a great idea, I was just never sure who could take the seats. I still don’t know who they’ll be, but I feel better moving ahead with the plan now.
“Okay,” Lupa smiles. “I guess we’ll go back to Greece after the naming ceremony.”
