Page 80 of Between Despair and Hope

“Mama, it’s fine. She’s going to knock the door down if you don’t.”

I turned toward the door and unlocked it, stepping back as Shivani came slamming through and pushing past me.

“You’re home,” she said as she leaned over Rain, drawing him into a hug that surprised the hell out of me. His confusion through the bond told me he felt the same. A second later, she pulled back, cupping his jaw so tightly in her hand he winced.

I sent out a shadow, not even thinking, wrapping it around her wrist and pulling it away from him.

“What the hell do you—”

She cut me off with her tone, fearful anger making her words shake as she yelled at her son. “Don’t you ever do something like that again. And to tell me your true heir right before you performed some sacrificial—How was I supposed to interpret that?”

Rain rubbed his jaw, appearing rather sheepish as he looked up at Shivani.

“I’m sorry. For what it’s worth, I didn’t intend to be captured, Mother. Speaking of my heir, you haven’t met yet.” Rain nodded toward Elora whose mouth had fallen open.

“No. I’m not your—no,” she stuttered, eyes whipping over to me.

“We’ll talk about it later, honey,” I replied, stopping myself from shooting daggers at Rain. I reminded myself Elora was not a fragile doll, but a real girl growing into womanhood. Coddling her would do her no good—but still. She’d been through enough lately, and I wanted to help guide her through it as gently as possible. She was still wrapping her head around the fact he was her father; we didn’t need to add anything else to it. But Rain didn’t know what he was doing either, and the sudden intrusion didn’t help anyone.

Shivani straightened, turning toward Elora so I couldn’t see her face. But when she crossed her arms over her body, I tensed.

“Hello, Elora. I’m glad to see you’ve finally awakened. I know your mother was worried sick.”

My stomach clenched. Her tone was cold, and it was clear in her posture she was merely being polite. I held my tongue, glancing at Rain, who still rubbed his face.

“Are you alright? In pain? Did I miss something?” I asked him.

“It’s just a toothache. It’s probably loose. I ought to just pull it—it’s given me trouble before.”

“The milk tooth?” Shivani asked.

My heart stuttered, and Rain turned to look at me, no doubt sensing my reaction through the bond.

“It’s nothing, Em. Just a tooth that never fell out. I think I need to pull it, though. It sits below my other teeth and aches sometimes.”

Elora’s eyes widened.

“Do you have it too?” I asked Shivani.

“How did you—Mine fell out when I was a child, but I never grew in another. Same spot, though.” Shivani’s brows furrowed as she turned to look at me, arms still crossed.

“Third from the back, right side,” I whispered.

Rain’s smile lit up the gods damn room as he turned toward Elora, understanding dawning.

“What?” Shivani glanced between her son and me, and I felt a tear trickle from my eye. I knew it in my heart, knew it in every part of me. Rhia had even confirmed it in my dream. But gods did having this tangible evidence feel gratifying.

“Me too.” Elora’s voice was quiet as she spoke. Hesitating for a second, she opened her mouth wide, pulling her lip down, and I laughed. A joyful thing—light.

Shivani turned back toward Elora, and her arms fell down to her sides.

“You have it too?”

It was nice to see Shivani unraveled.

“I’ve been keeping an eye on it, since it wants to sink into her gums.” My voice dropped low as I added, “Like her father’s, I suppose.”

“You weren’t lying,” Shivani whispered.

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