Melody stared at Cara, and her expression grew, if anything, even more troubled. “Lyric always had three that were dedicated to her. But one was elderly and passed away shortly after Lyric died. She’d been with her since birth, and the tabloids stated it was due to a broken heart.” She swallowed. “Made sense, actually.”
“And the other two?” Cara pressed.
“They both went on to other positions.” Her lips pulled straight. “But one died of a stroke, and the other had a horrible carriage accident. Both within a year of Lyric’s death.” Her eyes locked on Cara’s. “You don’t think—”
“Those deaths may not have been accidents,” Cara stated with reluctance. “If Lyric got pregnant at the Liberi Midyear Festival, she may have seduced, or been seduced by, a Bellati.” Cara’s gaze slid to me.
“But—Lyric shouldn’t have been fertile with a Bellati,” Melody protested, as her eyes locked on me, and widened.
“No. She shouldn’t have.” Cara’s fingers tapped the table. “It’s only a theory. And forgive me, but what sex was the baby?”
The Satyr brushed tears from her cheeks. “It was a girl.”
Cara nodded, as though it all made sense. Which, of course, it didn’t. At least, not to me.
Melody’s gaze moved my way. She rose, and crouched before me, scanning my face. Reached her hands up to me and paused when I tensed. Trix came over, wagging her tail.
“Touching me isn’t a good idea,” I said.
“It will be okay,” Cara assured me. “Satyrs should be resistant to your power, just like Dragons and Bellatis.”
So I held still as Melody ran her fingers through my hair, the tips coming to rest just above my ears, where they circled.
“Her hair swirls,” she whispered. “Where there would be horns.”
Swirls? My fingers traced the annoying ringlets.
I always thought you were a princess,Matt said. His tone reflected his awe.I’m screwing royalty.
The imagery he sent along with that sentiment was distinctly unhelpful.No way this can be true,I protested. Aloud, I asked, “But—does that mean I’m half-Satyr, and half-Liberi?” I stared at Cara.
Melody was still fixated on me. “But how would that be possible?”
“It wouldn’t.” Cara shook her head. “Not without help.”
Melody looked as confused as I felt. But she said, “We need to confirm this. The midwife disappeared right after the deaths. We assumed she was afraid of reprisals. But we can interview the Liberis who were at the festival that summer.”
“We need to keep a lid on this,” Cara corrected. “If we are right, the Liberi Elders cannot know about Anna, not yet, anyway. Not until I know whether it is true. And to those who might have been behind the pregnancy—it might lead to them coming after her.”
Melody frowned. “But if she is Lyric’s child—”
“Please, Melody. I know this is difficult. But until we know all the facts, we must keep this between us. Not even the King can know. Anna’s life could be at stake.”
I stared at her. Why would anyone care if I existed?
She knows something she’s not telling,Matt agreed.
Melody locked gazes with Cara, but then she nodded. “Very well. I trust your judgment, Cara. For now. But this must be verified.”
“I will take care of it,” Cara promised as she rose. Melody reached out to take my arms.
“If this is true...” Her eyes misted with tears. “If you are ever in need, we are here for you, my dear. Even the possibility that you are a part of Lyric is enough to give me hope.”
I didn’t want to disappoint her—but I couldn’t see how any of this could be true. I was firmly of the opinion that Cara had lost her Unicorn mind.
“The midwife disappeared after Lyric’s death?” Cara asked.
When Melody nodded, Cara shook her head. “There are many mysteries behind this. If you find any images of the midwife, could you send them to me?”
