Shadow Rising by Yasmine Galenorn Page B

we’re independent, and that we make our own choices, but motherfucking know this:
You raised survivors.
You raised women unwilling to knuckle under. Unwilling to take it lying down. You raised us to believe that family matters. Well, the three of us are family—we stand up for each other. Did it
really
surprise you that we turned against you when you turned against us?”
    Sephreh leaned his head back, his ponytail trailing down his back. “No,” he said after a moment. “No, it doesn’t surprise me. Believe as you will, but I’m more proud of being your father than of anything I’ve ever done in my life.” He sucked in a long breath. “It’s hard for me to admit this, but yes, I was wrong. I was wrong about Trillian. I was wrong in my actions toward you. Toward Camille. I have been blind.” Tears flickered in his eyes. “I wish I could take it all back. That I could have the chance to start again.”
    “Earthside, we call it getting a do-over. But there’s no way to pretend this never happened. All you can do now is haul your ass in there and beg Camille for forgiveness. And apologize to Trillian for the way you’ve treated him. And then, maybe, we can talk.” I gave him a long look. “You burned your chances with me, but if they forgive you, I’ll go along with them and we’ll play nice-nice again.”
    Sephreh winced. “I am sorry. I have a gift for you—it’s not finished yet, but I truly want you to have it. I think…I think you’ll like it.”
    “Prove yourself. Do everything I said, and then…maybe I’ll accept it.” And with that, I turned. Leaving him in the dark, I swept into the building. Let him know what it was like being left out in the cold, alone. Let him struggle with his conscience for once.
    As I entered the hall, I realized that Tanaquar had basically cast our dear father into the likes of Siberia. Oh, it was luxurious, by many standards, but by the standards of the Court and Crown, it might as well have been as spartan as a cell with bread and water. Tanaquar really
was
pissed with him.
    The hall was about the size of a grand ballroom, with several doors leading off to each side. And a stairwell led upboth sides of the room, leading to a second level that overlooked the main floor. More rooms were up there. The décor was simple—blue and gold, the colors of Y’Elestrial. No velveteen drapes, no gold leaf, no marble statues, just a few simple pillars running from floor to the high ceilings. But the marble was polished to a high shine. And the hall felt clear and open.
    “This is nice.” Shade looked around. “I like it.”
    Sephreh glanced at him. “In our city, it would be considered a slum by the Queen. She has one thing, at least, in common with her sister Lethesanar. A love of luxury.”
    He turned to Camille and went down on one knee. “I’m sorry. I was wrong, about you, about Trillian, about your path. I can never apologize enough, but I beg your forgiveness. Give me a chance to earn your trust again. I wasn’t there when you needed me. I can never make it up to you, but if you’ll allow me, I’d like to try. Your mother would have been ashamed of my actions. As am I.”
    Camille sucked in a long breath. She glanced over at Trillian, who wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
    “Trillian, forgive my blindness. You have treated my daughter with the love and kindness that
I
should have given her. You are the better man. I was wrong about you. And, if you’ll allow, I would like to formally welcome you into our family.” Sephreh broke down then, tears trickling down his face. “My Maria, she would have handled this so much better. She would have kept me true to myself rather than letting me get mired in politics.”
    It was then that we all realized how much he still missed our mother. He’d never let go of her, never been able to say good-bye.
    Camille slowly stepped forward, one hand still holding Trillian’s. “Do you mean what you say?”
    Father