Hi! I hope the story is good so far. Here I am getting more into some new characters! Enjoy!-😈

Five years later

"...And then your father came to power. Any questions?" I say, addressing Mare's children. I will never call them Maven's. They have her kindness. And sass. I mean, nobody can attack the sliver court like they can. They look at me strangely, I must be crying. Zeus raises his hand.

"Uncle... I mean, Lord Jacos, why are you crying right now?"

"Not like that," I scold gently. He looks at me, abashed. "But to answer your question, I'm just, missing someone. Now after the tragic event that killed Queen Elara..." I drone on for what feels like hours. When they leave I collapse in the chair. They're so sweet and innocent. I love teaching them, I really do. But it doesn't change the fact I'm teaching lies. I've hungered after the truth about our powers and now all I say are lies. I never can say something true. Everything has a shadow of a lie.

A Sentinel marches in. I don't have to be a genius to know whose here. "Your majesty," I say through gritted teeth. I bow low and deep. As I straighten up I look in surprise. "And Mare?" She doesn't even look up. She looks devoid of any and all emotion. All she does is stare down at her fingers like they are the most interesting things in the world. I understand why of course. She doesn't want to betray any emotion that could harm her or anyone she loved. She's learned the cost of such things first hand.

"Well, Julian. You're doing a fine job teaching them. Isn't he Mare?" Maven sneers and turns to Mare. She looks up, turns her head, and nods vigorously.

"Yes, of course," she mumbles.

"When their powers start to surface. I would like you to inform me. I will have the two Samos siblings and
Elane prepare their training room. They will educate my children in the knowledge of battle. And you shall make them strong intelligently. Mare looks up wildly, fear evident in her eyes. She's afraid of what Evangeline or Ptolemus would do to her children. Maven sees her reaction. "Something wrong my darling?" He asks her with a cold laugh. She shakes her head. Clearly she's not supposed to answer. "That's what I thought." Maven walks out, calling some guards in to take me back to my cell. Those poor children. Poor Mare.