Page 79 of Between Despair and Hope

“What do you mean, ‘came back’?”

Elora’s eyes met mine as we both asked the same question. Em breathed out a laugh, eyes smiling, before she explained.

“His brother offered a deal. Cyran for you, Rain.”

My stomach clenched, but I waited for her to continue.

A loud bang cut us off, and I heard my sister’s voice, a loud echoing shout.

“Mother! They only just—”

“Rainier, where are you?”

I groaned as the last fucking person I wanted to deal with came stomping down the hallway.

Chapter 28

Emmeline

Withouteventhinking,Iused Rain’s divinity to slam the door shut on a gust of wind. Jumping up from the bed, I ran to lock it. “I’m not dealing with that, not yet. You two only just—”

Bang. A demanding knock at the door.

“Rainier, let me in.” Shivani’s voice grated on my nerves, and I spun, facing my two loves.

“She’s not going to leave,” Rain offered, rubbing a hand over his face. “May as well get it over with.”

Bang. Another request I ignored.

“I’m sure you’re right, but—” Clouded with emotion, my voice suffered. “We haven’t had enough time. You two have only had a few moments. Besides, Elora just woke up, and…”

I trailed off, opting to protect my daughter. I couldn’t tell her Shivani had no interest in her these past weeks, hadn’t believed me or wanted to see her. I couldn’t do that to her. I hadn’t gone into details with Rain, only telling him Shivani didn’t believe me, and I tried to convey to him with my expression that I didn’t want this meeting to happen without Elora catching on.

When he stared at me blankly, not understanding my meaning, I sighed. Men.

A man who has never been a parent before, I reminded myself. He’d barely been able to protect Lavenia from Shivani’s abrasiveness. This would take time.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

“Rainier!”

“Em? Just let her in,” he said, giving up.

Elora’s eyes whipped back and forth between us, and a red tinge creeped up her neck and cheeks. Nervous.

“Are you comfortable meeting Shivani? She’s…still getting used to the idea of having a granddaughter, so you might have to be patient with her.” At the sight of Elora’s face, slightly green, I shook my head before addressing Rain. “Not now; she’s not ready.”

“No! I’m fine. It’s fine. She’s just…Is it true she’s the last siphon?”

“Oh gods, don’t mention that to her,” Rain chuckled. “But yes, she’s the last.”

The banging grew insistent.

“Gods,” Elora whispered. “I can’t believe I’m about to meet the queen.”

“Queen mother now,” Rain corrected, gifting me with a smile I felt I should latch onto before it disappeared.

“Are you sure it’s alright, honey? I’ll make her leave if I need to,” I said to Elora.

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