Zaeryn sat up slightly in Ysmeine's lap. "Wait... I have a sister?" His voice carried a mixture of wonder and confusion. "Athea has another daughter?"
Ysmeine nodded.
The pain of abandonment was still there, but now it was joined by something else, a spark of genuine interest. "How old is she?" The question tumbled out faster than he had intended." Does she... does she know about me?"
"She's around your girlfriends age, I think," Ysmeine said gently. "But unfortunately, she doesn't know about you yet. As far as I know, you're a secret to everyone in your mom's family."
"Of course," Zaeryn muttered, a mix of frustration and disbelief in his tone. But maybe he didn't have the right to be frustrated? Because males weren't allowed in the royal family, so he was lucky to be alive? He thought.
"Maybe soon, you'll meet her. And you'll get to see Athea too, I'm sure. But right now… it's just not the best time."
