"Hello, Mother."
The voice came from Sebastian's mouth.
But the smile belonged to someone else.
Vespera went utterly still.
For the first time since entering the chamber, the ancient queen looked afraid.
Not of Azariel.
Not of the collapsing kingdom.
Of her own son.
"Sebastian," she whispered.
The man chained before her tilted his head.
"That's an interesting name. Is that what you called him when you held him in your arms? Or did you already know what he would become?"
Vespera's lips parted, but no words emerged.
Aliena stepped between them.
"Whatever you are, get out of him."
The black eyes turned toward her.
Then the thing wearing Sebastian's face smiled wider.
"Oh, little queen. You really should stop giving orders to things you don't understand."
"Funny. I was about to tell you the same thing."
A low chuckle escaped him.
"Still brave. Still foolish. I remember when you were neither."
Aliena's blood ran cold.
"You know me?"
