But that wouldn’t make him an heir. Only his daughter would be eligible to rule.
Suddenly she felt stupid. His daughter, should he ever have one, would be able to petition and fight for the throne. Another “non” Qillaq to embarrass her mother and one who would have even less Qillaq blood than she did…
Yeah, it made sense. Her mother would never want the daughter of her son to rule. Her mother wasn’t exactly tolerant of men. Especially those as strong as Chayden. If he’d exhibited any of the predator aura that bled from him now as a child, she could easily see her mother banishing him over it.
Still, she didn’t understand how her brother could end up as a renegade pirate. “How did you become Tavali?”
Sadness tinged his eyes. “I ran away as a kid and was taken in by one of their order. He was the closest thing to a parent I’d ever known. I learned the business from him and carried it on after he died.”
“But why would you run away?”
He gave a bitter laugh that said he thought her question was ridiculous. “If you’d ever seen how they treat the males who’re banished, you wouldn’t ask that question. Suffice it to say, it was easier living on the streets than in the camp where Mom had me dumped.”
That she could definitely believe. Given what they’d done to her and her sisters, she could only imagine how much worse his hole had been. But that still didn’t explain why he was here and his actions these last few hours. “Why are you helping me?”
He shrugged. “You’re my sister.”
Like that meant anything. “You don’t even know me.”
“No, and when I first realized who you were, I was ready to let the League have you and then some. I’ll be honest. I’ve hated all of you for most of my life. But you’re not like the others and that’s a compliment.” He jerked his chin toward the monitors. “However, right now isn’t really the time to hash all of this. We need to get out of here while all of our body parts are still attached, especially our heads.”
Caillen stepped back more to allow him to take the controls as she moved out of his way.
Desideria didn’t speak as this new knowledge chased itself around in her head. She’d known about her brother, but she’d nnow expected to meet him. Especially not like this.
There were so many questions. So many things she wanted to know about him and his life. What he’d done. How he’d survived…
He really is my brother.
One who bore a striking resemblance to her father.
It boggled her mind.
Caillen scowled at Desideria’s continued silence. She appeared shell-shocked and pale. “You all right?”
“I’m not sure.”
“I know the feeling. You have the same sick look on your face that I’m pretty sure I had when they told me I was a prince. Nauseating, isn’t it?”
Yes. Definitely.
And she didn’t know what to think of her brother who was risking his life to save hers. Narcissa would never do such. Most days she hated her guts and Gwen wasn’t that much better. But now that she knew the truth, she understood why Chayden had seemed so familiar to her. He had their mother’s eyes and their father’s build. There was also something about his movements and mannerisms that reminded her of her father.
The cadence of his voice.
Their accents were different, but the inflections and tones were similar.
He’s my brother. That one fact kept echoing in her head.
Fain gently brushed past them to take his seat while Hauk stayed topside, near the guns—just in case—something that was becoming their new mantra.
“Strap in,” Fain warned.
She and Caillen complied while Chayden engaged the engines then launched and flew between volleys of fire as the Exeterian Enforcers caught up to them. She groaned while he spun the ship to make it through the narrow opening of the bay’s doors. “You know, I used to enjoy flying until I met all of you. Now, I’m not sure I’ll ever want to do it again.”
Caillen laughed. “Think of it like a carnival ride.”
“I would, but those make me sick too.”
Fain pitched a small bag at her. “Make sure it all goes in. If you miss, nail Caillen and not me. Otherwise I’ll be joining you.”
“And I’ll be launching all of you out an air lock,” Chayden muttered as he arced the ship up. “Big bunch of pansies.”
She shook her head at his earnest tone.
Hauk returned the fire while Chayden dipped between their pursuers and shot them into hyperspace. Her head spinning from their wild ride and her recent shock, she saw the expression on Caillen’s face that said he was trying to digest this newest twist as much as she was. Forget about Chayden for the moment, they had a larger problem with his uncle dead.
No one would ever believe they hadn’t done this too. Who could clear their names now?
“What do we do?” she asked Caillen.
“I honestly have no idea. That was my best thought. Right now… I’m empty.”