Page 114 of Queen of the Crimson Throne

“It can’t be,” Silas mused.

“High Queen Lennox Adair and Prince Luka Rossi at your service.” Luka bowed dramatically.

“Please come in.” Silas stumbled as he moved aside. “Please excuse my behavior. I—I never would have said such a thing if I knew who I was talking to.”

I put my hand on Silas’ arm gently. “No hard feelings. We cannot blame you for being cautious.”

“Have a seat.” Silas gestured towards the small kitchen area. A large rectangular table took up the majority of the space. Counters lined both of the walls, piled with dishes and cooking supplies. Heat radiated from the small stove in the corner, a kettle steaming on the top. Eight chairs squished around the table, the center piled high with dishes and other utensils.

“You must have a big family?” Luka noted as he took a seat next to me, his eyes wandering around the home.

Silas smiled. “I do. Auden here is my youngest.” He placed a hand on Auden’s shoulder. “He’s the only one still living at home. My wife is out in town right now. We havefour other children, two daughters, and two sons, all married off and living on their own. Lots of grandchildren too.” Silas beamed.

“How many grandchildren?” I asked.

“Five.” He smiled as he moved towards the mantel, picking up a framed portrait on top. “And one more on the way.” He handed me the frame. I couldn’t help but smile at the large family captured in the photo. I could pick out Silas’ children easily, they all had the same dark hair and tawny skin with bright olive eyes.

“You have a beautiful family,” Luka admired as he leaned over my shoulder.

“Thank you.” Silas put the photo back on the mantel, taking care that it was put back in the right place. “Can I get you two anything?”

“We’re fine, thank you,” we replied in unison.

Silence filled the room.

“I’m sure you’re wondering why we’re here,” Luka broke the silence. Silas halted, his back going straight before he sat in a chair across the table from us, next to Auden.

“I am, I’m assuming you’re not here simply to visit.”

“There is no use in dancing around it—” I shifted in my seat. “We’re looking for Astria’s journals and we believe you have them here.”

Silas’s jaw ticked. “And why do you assume I have those journals?”

“Astria herself told us your family has them,” Lukas’s tone offered no room for debate. “And she gave us a map leading us to you.”

“Holy shit,” Auden murmured.

Silas elbowed his son. “Manners,” he hissed.

Silas turned his attention back to us. “Are you telling me you spoke to the Goddess?”

“We did,” I confirmed.

Silas sighed deeply, looking at his son andback at us. “Those journals mean a lot to my family. If I did have them, I have no desire to give them up.”

Luka leaned forward, bracing his forearms on the table, “Why are they important to your family?”

“You don’t know?” Silas looked between the two of us. “Astria didn’t tell you?” We shook our heads.

“Tell us what?” I pressed.

Silas scrubbed his hand over his face. “Why doesn’t that surprise me?” Silas took a deep breath. “Astria gave my great-great-grandmother the journals before she returned to the sky.”

“Why would she do that?” Luka and I asked in unison.

“She claimed it was her way of saying sorry, her explanation as to why she did what she did.” Silas laughed, the sound bitter and hollow, causing a pit to form in my stomach.

“What did she do?” Luka leaned forward further.

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