Book Two: KOTLC One-shots and More

Project Moonlark (Oralie POV)

"No!" Oralie insisted. She knew she was caught. She'd been too slow to think of an appropriate response to Sophie's theories. But she couldn't resist continuing to deny the truth because if this got out...

"You are," Sophie breathed, her disbelief and shock swirling around, threatening to turn darker. Oralie fought back a shudder as Sophie added, "You're... my biological mother."

Oralie met her gaze. Those sweet brown eyes were staring at her, almost begging Oralie to deny it, to offer unassailable proof that it wasn't true.

But Oralie couldn't provide that. And there was no point in lying, so she finally responded with a quiet, "Yes."

The truth in that one little word was so big, so full of implications and possible ramifications, that it couldn't be contained. There was no denying it, and Oralie could see and feel as that truth hit Sophie. Oralie's heart was racing, and even as an Empath she wasn't sure she could translate each of the emotions coursing through her.

After a very heavy pause, Oralie started, "Sophie, I..."

But she didn't know how to finish that sentence.

Didn't know how it was possible to justify her decisions. How to explain how much she loved Sophie, but it would never be enough to satisfy Sophie because she could never be anything more than a Councillor and ally. She couldn't be a mother to her and had never intended Sophie to even know the truth.

She was Oralie's, but at the same time, she wasn't.

That was the deal.

"I... can't do this," Oralie finally said quietly.

"I don't care!" Sophie shouted, tightening her grip on Oralie's arm, her anger throwing itself at Oralie with such force that Oralie knew she'd have felt it even without the physical contact.

"I know you're angry," Oralie murmured—and Sophie let out a bitter laugh.

"Did you figure that out on your own?" she asked. "Or because you're an Empath?"

Bitterness and disgust joined Sophie's anger--and were displayed clearly on her face.

"You let the Council threaten to exile me!" Sophie snapped. "And you let them force Dex's ability restrictor onto my head! And you let them banish me! And—"

"I'm one vote, Sophie," Oralie interrupted, trying not to wince at the accusations and how little Sophie thought of her. "One. Vote. Out of twelve. I did as much as I could—but I could only do so much."

"Right," Sophie said quietly. "You had to make sure no one would ever find out the truth—because if they did..."

Dread and heartache mixed with Sophie's emotions as her voice went quiet, and Oralie had a feeling they were heading for a meltdown.

Oralie sighed, wishing she could figure out the right words to say to fix the situation--but she knew those words didn't exist.

"This must be so tiring for you," Sophie spat. "Having to actually face your daughter and admit how much you've ruined her life."

"Ruined?" Oralie repeated.

She was just so tired.

Her own emotions mixing with Sophie's storm were too much, battering her senses, and she had to try to retreat, to pull back, to avoid all feeling.

It was an Empath's most vital act of self-preservation.

But Sophie's face hardened as she shouted, "I'm unmatchable!"

Something like hysteria crossed Sophie's face as she reached out in a burst of fury and flipped Oralie's jeweled side table over, sending Oralie's circlet--and Sophie's ability blocking gadgets--to the floor. The circlet landed at Sophie's feet, and she looked like she might stomp on it.