Emerge: The Captive: (Book 3)(107)

“The boy will need protection,” Livia said. “Marcus will lose his patience soon and he will act on his suspicions.”

“Aidan is protected. More than he could possibly realize. His parents have sent him to a school in Germany with a horde of security to guard him. He will not return until it is safe.”

“And you will provide Allie the same protection?”

“We will keep them both safe. Safe and separate. The true prophecy speaks of them as one. She is the child born of the Indriell line. She is the key, but Aidan is her equal in every way. He is just as integral to our future as she is. But they are young. They do not need to know everything yet.”

“So we protect them both?” Livia chewed her bottom lip, thinking it wasn’t enough. If anyone knew the lengths Marcus would go to reach Allie and Aidan, it was Livia. They needed to take every possible precaution. “They should be kept down here, far away from Marcus’s reach.”

“They deserve to have a childhood. Neither of them has had much of one as it is. We will protect them, but we will also give them a chance at life.”

“Do you trust me now?” Livia asked.

“I do.” Alísun nodded.

“Can I leave this cage?”

“Not yet. You need to win over our hosts. Talk to Liam. Let him get to know the real you and in time you will be free of this place.”

“It’s no more than I deserve.” Livia sighed.

“This is your one and only chance, Livia. This is your chance to make a change and become the kind of woman we all know you are on the inside. It speaks volumes about your character that four of your former slaves have stepped forward to speak on your behalf.”

“All of them? Even Quinn?”

“Quinn has been the most adamant in his belief that you can be rehabilitated if only given the chance.”

Livia didn’t even know what to say to that. The thought that they would all speak for her … after all she’d done to them … it was too much.

“You know, when Marcus took you from your family … it was a horrible thing to do to a child.” A tear slid down Alísun’s face. “Our children are our greatest joys in our long lives. But I was secretly grateful. He kept you close. Let me see you—my beautiful granddaughter.”

“No.” Livia sucked in a breath. “That’s not possible.” She squeezed her eyes shut tight, not wanting to believe it. “When you said Allie was born of the Indriell line … I thought you meant in some sort of remote way.”

“You are blood sisters. My natural granddaughters. Direct descendants of the first queen. Allie is my heir only because she is more powerful than you despite being a second-born child. But do not think for one moment that you are any less important than she is. You will play an important role in future events. You will be her champion. But it is up to you to decide if you will take on that role. You can have a bright future if you learn to shrug off the horrors of your past and leave Marcus behind. He was never your father. Your father loves you. Has thought of you every single day of your life.”

“No. I don’t want to hear this. It’s time for you to leave.” Livia gestured for the queen to leave. She didn’t want think about what any of this meant.

“It is time for you to face who your family is, Alivia,” Alísun said softly, reaching across the coffee table for her granddaughter’s hand.

Livia shook her head. “Do not call me that. Please.” She’d heard echoes of that name in her dreams. Long-forgotten memories that never made any sense to her. Flashes of silvery blond hair like Alísun’s and vivid red hair like Allie’s. Green eyes. Silver eyes—like the ones staring at her now. Memories of the family she’d been torn from.

“It is your name. It is the name my daughter Kassandre gave you when you were born of her body.”

“No.” Livia shook her head, fumbling with the cut-glass tumbler in her hand. Anything to avoid the queen’s penetrating gaze. “I didn’t know. I swear,” Livia whispered.

“We know.” The queen’s voice was full of pain and sympathy.

“Does Allie know?” Livia finally met her grandmother’s gaze.

“That your parents are Ashar and Kassandre? Yes, she knows. It’s what she’s been trying to tell you. What you’ve been refusing to see.”

“No.” Livia dropped her gaze again, tears falling on her hands. “Does she know?”

“Know what, Alivia? Say it. It will help.”

Livia lifted her head, tears blurring her vision and burning her throat. “Does my sister know I killed our mother?”

~~~





END OF BOOK THREE


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