Images.
Matt added it up at the same moment as me.She thinks that might be the woman who raised you.
Melody straightened. “I have something that might help—Lyric always took pictures...” she gestured for us to follow, and we all entered the palace. The Satyr led us down the polished halls to the largest library I’d ever seen. She took us straight through to a smaller room and started perusing the books along a particular shelf. Trix stayed at my feet, staring up at the loaded shelves.
The one Melody pulled out had thick dust on it, as though it hadn’t been touched in years.
“This is the album Lyric was putting together for the birth.” Her voice broke. “But there might be images of Teriri in there.”
I stiffened. “Teriri? That was her name?”
Melody nodded as she used the sleeve of her gorgeous gown to wipe the dust away. Cara regarded me. “Does that name mean anything to you?”
Images flashed through my brain, but as usual, none of it was coherent. “The paperwork the hospital gave me listed my mother’s name as Terri.”
Cara’s mouth pulled straight, just as Melody finally cracked the album open with another puff of dust. Only the first third of it held pictures, mostly of Melody and a tall man who must be the King, and others who were probably their children. But then Melody hesitated, and spun the album around.
An image of Lyric standing beside another, much shorter woman. Slim and middle-aged, with bushy brown hair and large brown eyes.
The Watcher looked at me. “Is it her?”
I swallowed. “Yes.”
“Stars above,” breathed Melody. And then, she jumped up and hugged me. “I don’t understand any of this.”
I hugged her back. She was my aunt. Impossible to get my mind around it.
Strewth. She’s a bleedin’ queen.Matt’s breathless voice drifted through my mind.
“I will explain once I have more details,” Cara assured her.
“She should stay with us,” Melody declared.
“No.” Cara placed her hand on the Satyr’s arm. “This needs to play out, my friend. I still have much to clarify. Your life is an open book. If she stays here, the tabloids will find out, and it will be all over the realms. Anna will be safe at the academy, I guarantee it.”
Melody seemed reluctant to let me go, but she finally nodded. As Cara said her goodbyes, my mind spun. If this was all true, why steal me away from the royal family? None of this made any sense.
As we walked away, I was aware of Melody’s eyes fastened on me. My aunt.
A bleedin’ queen,Matt repeated.
All right, you’re impressed, I get it.
“You must have a million questions,” Cara said once we were back on the drive. “But until I get some answers, I ask for your patience. Give me time to get them.”
I opened my mouth, and closed it again. It was a big ask. But one question pushed at me. “Why did they teach me to fight?”
Her stride hitched, but she walked on for a few before she answered. “Because they thought you might need to.” She met my gaze, and put a hand out to my arm. “Bear with me, Anna. You will have your answers. I just have to ensure they are the right ones.”
I reached down to pet Trix, sinking my fingers into her soft fur. Her blue eyes radiated a calmness and acceptance that I did not feel. A belief that everything will turn out fine.
I sighed, and nodded. “Okay.”
Meanwhile, Matt rather unhelpfully seemed hung up on one predominant theme.I’m screwing royalty. Does this make me a stonkin’ consort?
I rolled my eyes as Trix and I followed Cara out past the purple-hued guards and down the road.
31
