Page 78 of When Night Falls

"You hated our mother. Why the fuck would I bring her here for your wedding?" he asks.

My reason is none of their business. So the reason I give them is also one of some truth.

"The king is dead. If I am to form any order of peace between Valor and Hollows, we need her here. And Viktrum too. I don't expect him to come but you need to get your mother here. She is likely the reason Viktrum thinks us to be the suspect of what's happening in his kingdom. We need to clear our names."

"She won't go for it. She'll be pissed that I even told you about her."

"What if I go with you?" Troian steps forward and offers herself as bait, her tone is vulnerable and sincere.

I often wonder why Ameliana would have willingly left her kids behind. Why she never came back to check on them. Why, after my father's death, she didn't come back. She would have been free of his torment if that’s what she was worried about. Her reason for running was quite unclear to begin with.

"Troy…" Travois fades off.

"No." She crosses her arms across her chest. "You don't get to keep me from her anymore. She's my mother too. The next time you go, you will take me with you."

She turns on her heel, leaving no time for him to argue or deny her of her wants. She proceeds to walk toward the door before I stop her.

"Troian." She turns to look at me over her shoulder. "I need you to send Natasha up to Lucynda. She needs the pill. Three day's worth," I tell her.

"I can take her," she says.

"Oh, and don't forget about the party tomorrow night. I want you there," I warn her, reminding her of her absence last time.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world." Her sarcasm bleeds into the air.

Travois sits back down at the desk, obviously entertained by the whole situation while also being frustrated with himself.

I watch as Troian attempts to leave before something startles her at the door.

"Zharus," she gasps before stepping aside as my Factotum presents himself. She doesn't wait around though as he walks into my office, stopping short at the frame.

"Sorry, to interrupt, sir. I just wanted to see if-"

I hold up my hand to him.

"Not now, Zharus. This is a family matter," I say.

"Right." He lowers his head to look at the floor. "Family. Very well. I'll go over the final wedding details with you in the morning." Disappointment drips from his tone but I don't havetime to analyze it further as I turn my attention back to my loathsome brother, waiting for Zhar to fully exit before pushing my demands at Trav.

"Travois. You will get your mother to come to the wedding, understand?"

"And what if she doesn't agree?"

"That's not an option," I state.

Trav gets back up from the chair and walks toward the door. So many things mix in my head. All satisfactory and maddening at the same time.

Trav turns to me before fully exiting and allows himself the luxury of the last laugh, causticity on his tongue as he indulges in another insult regarding my mother.

“Valaria would be so proud of you, brother."

25

final night

Lucynda

October 18th – 1 day until the wedding