Mother tilted her head. “That’s why I had those bracelets put on them, remember? Because you’ve been having trouble with that. Theo’s is red, and Lucian’s is gold.”

“I-I took them off for the nap, for I thought they’d be uncomfortable while the boys slept.”

“They won’t be,” Mother promised before motioning him closer. “Let me take a look.”

Father stepped in front of her more sheepish than ever. He chewed his bottom lip waiting for the reveal that took Mother all of three seconds to declare.

“This is Theo.” She reached for the twin held in Father’s left arm.

“Are you sure? Truly sure?”

“I’m sure. Their faces have always been clear to me.”

“How can you tell?”

“It’s subtle, but they have their differences. Mainly, Lucian’s jawline is thinner.”

Father placed Lucian in Mother’s other arm and repeatedly shifted his gaze between him and Theo. Looking for that slight difference in two chubby-faced babies, I’m sure.

“I should stick to the bracelets for the time being. Thanks goodness all four of them didn’t come out identical,” Father laughed wryly.

“You’ll get there.” Mother pet his hair. “I do agree it’s good not all look the same. Even if Heather and Evianna were similar though, they would have their small differences as well. Heather has that birthmark on the back of her calf, and Evianna has her faint freckles on the bridge of her nose.”

Father stared unblinking at her in a lingering moment of silence. The next thing I knew, he dropped himself close to me with those now intense blue eyes of his searching my face.

“Oh, Eagan,” Mother giggled.

“I genuinely didn’t notice,” Father mumbled. “I’ve been tired.”

“It’s no worry, dear. They are incredibly faint.”

“Still, to have not noticed all of my daughter’s beauty—”

A grand kiss was placed upon my cheek. Using my smidge of control, I smashed the plushie into Father’s face. He laughed only to grimace at the sudden dribble of bile hanging down my chin. Whether because of the sudden vomiting or whether the vomiting was a warning, my stomach ached like a balloon overfilled. I spat up more, cried, and held my breath at Father rushing to clean me. Mother hovered over me after feeding Theo, at one point spreading ginger-tasting medicine on the inside of my lips. I threw up once more regardless. A nap came after another cleaning where it was Father stroking my head that stirred me to consciousness.

“Poor Evi. You tend to have more problems than your siblings, don’t you? Still, you’re doing incredibly well for one who started out small. The healers are impressed you’re keeping up.”

That’s because I knew of my disadvantage and worked hard. I exercised my muscles and flexibility when no one would notice. However, I made certain not to push myself past my siblings. No way did I want to be the genius child. My wish as Persephone had been to live calmly and simply. This new life did not change that.

“How cute.” Father held me close, clearly admiring the newfound discovery of my freckles. He brushed his thumb over my nose and gave me another peck. Then...a slow change dropped his expression. It fell until a studious frown replaced all merriment. I squirmed uncertainly not liking how gears were turning in his mind. What was he thinking? What was wrong? He determinedly moved us into the hallway and addressed the guard, “Princess Evianna is feeling better. Let her mother know I’ll be taking her on a walk to get her some sunshine.”

“I will do so, Your Highness. Iteus bless the Light,” the guard acknowledged.

My gut bubbled again. Father moved stealthily through the palace, waving off each guard trying to follow when we left the safety of all the gates. Kept firmly tucked against Father’s chest facing the wall, I saw no more of the city. We did, however, turn down the same side path leading to the Grand Chapel. Father slipped behind a tree making sure the coast was clear before opening the back gate with a key from his pocket. He brought us inside the cozy back entrance in the same manner. Shined cedar walls lined a series of hallways and doors. Down the left side we scurried. Father tested a handle and quickly popped us within once it turned without resistance.

What I expected was the truth— the doors led to little living quarters for the priests of Iteus. The room contained a small sitting area with a fireplace, armchair, chaise, and a set of red robes hanging on the wall connected to a dining space of a round table with three chairs. Near the corner hosting several counters and a stove was an office comfortably settled within an alcove. A dark-skinned man Father’s age with coarse hair cut short faced us, sitting at the desk contemplatively scribbling. His eyes, red and glittering as rubies, widened in surprise when he glanced up.

The man jumped back in his chair and stifled a hissing gasp.

“Eagan! Sutuna take you, you’ve nearly made my heart stop!”

Hmm...this person had to be a good friend to address Father so casually.

“Sorry, Warren,” Father apologized. His lips curled for a brief second.

“What are you doing here like this, and with the princess?”

“There’s something I noticed, and I need to check if I’m correct in my suspicions.”

“What is it you need to check?” Warren walked over.

Hesitant, Father grabbed the robes to concoct a nest on the chaise in which to lay me. Warren frowned curiously at Father snatching his arm to take him into the attached bedroom. Of course, they closed the door. I fussed, squirmed, and huffed. Why!? It’s not like they knew I understood them. Bearing the fear and impatience for a few minutes, I cried unable to stand the cord tightening in my chest any longer. Father came out to console me, but his presence wasn’t comforting at all. Warren wore far too grim an expression for that.

“Are you sure about this, Eagan?” he asked, his low voice even lower with unease. “If the truth doesn’t matter to you, why do you have to confirm it?”

“Knowing will make me aware of what steps to take in the future. That’s why.”

“Even if you also know the ceremony is going to hurt her?” Warren pressed.

What the—? Hell no they better not be about to put me through some crazy ritual!

“It has to be done,” Father sighed.

No, no it doesn’t!

I cried with a boom to rival a cannon. Father stretched his hand towards my face, but he didn’t soothe me. His eyes went wild. Searing orange, crimson red, and hints of piercing azure whipped and thrashed in his irises as pure flame. My cry softened and softened until I fell silent. However, my mouth remained wide open even as my lungs expunged everything they had. The shock of reality forced me silent on my own.