The Book of Glass

The Final Escape (19)

"You're lying."

"I wish I were," Evander said with a shrug before stepping off of his throne. "Trust me, Shay. I wish Emory weren't the Prophet, but she is."

Shay let out a short laugh, placing her face in her hands for a second. She knew she was supposed to feel something other than relief, but she couldn't help it. It all made sense now. It made sense that she always looked to her friend for help, never knowing what to do the way she was expected to. So she was Emory's half-sister? For that, she was grateful. If one thing was the same, it was her love for Emory.

No. It wasn't the same at all. Anger rose up in her. "If you knew this whole time, why did you manhunt for me rather than her?" Why did you waste my life away?

"Everyone was used to you being the Prophet, I figured it wouldn't hurt." Evander started towards her, his hands in the air. "Shay, you can have your family's throne back, under a few conditions. The first being that you make it known that Emory is the True Prophet."

"Why me?"

"Because no one will believe anyone else. If Emory made the claim people would take it as someone--"

"I understand." Shay sighed and looked at Evander. She didn't like him, but she understood. How had he known, though? "How do you know I'm not Alaric's first daughter?"

Evander smiled. "He had just married your mother when my daughter gave birth to Emory. She wanted to tell Alaric, but Lena was just pregnant with you and I didn't want to cause an uproar. It was my job as his advisor to make sure nothing tainted his name, and my own family's name in the process."

"You're Emory's grandfather? So what ever happened to her mother?"

"I suspect you've already met her. After I took Emory away from her, I sent her away so she wouldn't try to make claims to the throne-"

"A claim Emory deserved," Shay interjected with malice.

"Nonetheless, a claim that would disgrace your father and his reign that just began. While my daughter was away, she found she had a knack for magic." As he spoke, Shay could feel her stomach flip. "One night, she slipped into the castle, and out of jealousy killed your mother," Evander spoke softly, his face solemn. He watched Shay as the realization hit her. "I walked in on her, and sent her away again. I tried to save your mother, Shay. I know that doesn't mean much, but I never asked for any of this to happen."

"Stop."

"Just know that I didn't kill your father out of anger. I was only doing it to protect my own daughter."

"Stop it!" Shay screamed, the tears welling in her eyes. She was going to be sick. She could feel the bile rising up her throat. This whole time. This entire time.

Suddenly, the doors of the throne room were pushed open behind them. Looking over, Shay's eyes landed on Ingrid, but the woman seemed preoccupied. "Shay, step back," someone said. Shay looked over and noticed Emory standing alongside Ingrid, a sword in hand. Shay didn't move and Emory warned her again. "Move!"

Shay did, and Evander smiled at the people before him. "I hope you aren't depending on her to-" A blast radiated from Ingrid's hands, and sent Evander flying back.

"Let's move," Cassius announced as he stepped out from behind the door. Emory was the only one to react, but Shay stared at Ingrid, and Ingrid at her unconscious father lying on the floor. Sighing, Cassius reached out and spun Ingrid around, which set Shay into motion. Looking at her now, Shay had no doubt in her mind that what Evander had told her was true. Ingrid looked up at her, but quickly turned away under Shay's hard gaze.