I watched as Father impatiently answered the slew of questions that followed, waving people away one after the other. Soon they were all gone, leaving only me and Father in the huge hall. Our voices echoed eerily in the silence.

"Why are you sending me there?" I probe. I already know the answer, but I still want to hear what he'll say.

"I've lost their respect," he says simply.

I look at him, dumbfounded. "So you're sending your youngest daughter into Xeoria to assassinate the prince, just so you can gain their respect back?"

He shoots me a sharp look. "No, and you know that perfectly well. I'm sending you there because your black blood protects you better than any enchantment or glamour can protect anyone else."

"You do realize that the odds of them discovering me are quite high, right?" i argue.

"No, they're not. It's quite simple, really. You're protected under Malcolm's guard. He holds a prestigious title there, so no one will suspect him of foul play. You go in, make friends with the prince, gain his trust, then one night, pour a couple drops of ammionis into his drink and there, he's dead, just like Genevive. You come back home before anyone catches you, and you're done."

"Who's this Malcolm guy anyway?" I huff.

"Our best spy in xeoria. He was sent in when he was really little, and he's been working his way up the rankings ever since. Right now, he's a member of the court of shadows." father explains. "He sends us information about xeoria, and when you go in, you'll act as his younger sister.'

"If i go in," i correct. "And if he's your best spy and knows so much, then why didn't he warn you about Genevive?" i retort, raising an eyebrow.

"They don't tell him everything." His tone makes it seem like he's talking to a cumbersome child. "And I'm pretty sure you're going to want to go. Unless, of course, you don't mind all of Eoria knowing about your Xeorian features."

I don't flinch. "You wouldn't do that. You'd just be exposing yourself too. How are you planning to explain away the fact that your child has black blood without acknowledging that you were the traitor?"

" No, no, no. That's not how it would go down. You see, your birth was quite suspicious. Baby born in secret, no ceremony. It would be too easy to convince everyone that Eleanor switched the Eorian baby out with a Xeorian one when no one was looking, at that you're the real spy."

I clench my teeth in frustration. "Don't drag Eleanor into this." As much as I hate how she never gives me privacy, I still care for her. She's always been there for me, no matter what.

"It's not like she can do anything about it, she's taken an oath of silence. She must do whatever I tell her to."

He strolls over to the doors before I can say anything, and walks out into the hallway. I briefly hear him talking to someone, and then he returns.

He takes my face in his big hands, and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.

"You know I love you, right?" he whispers, searching my face. "I'm just trying to think about the bigger picture. I wouldn't send you there if I wasn't sure you'd be okay. And plus, isn't this what you want? Don't think that I don't know you sneak out at night to watch the Xeorians. Really, i'm just doing you a favour."

I swallow hard and refuse to look him in the eyes. I hate that he's playing with my weaknesses, hitting where it hurts. It only adds insult to injury that he's right. I do want to do this.

"How're you supposed to hide my hair and eyes then? They'll see right through any glamours."

"I see your brews and draughts, Etharen. I'm sure you know an enchantment to change your eye colour and a dye to use on your hair. If need be, we can drop by the mortal world."

"And what about Caspian? If he's training me, won't he find out about my blood?" I say.

As if on cue, the doors of the Council Hall open to reveal Caspian, looking as grand and regal as ever. Father steps away from me to welcome him into the room.

"Won't I find out what about your blood?" He asks suspiciously.

"Sit, sit, Caspian. You'll find out in due time." Father says, showing him a chair. He doesn't seem the least bit fazed that Caspian heard us talking. Meanwhile, my palms are starting to get clammy. Caspian refuses to take a seat, instead choosing to stand with his arms crossed.

"Caspian. I'm sure you've noticed how Etharen has been exempt from combat classes her entire life, and how she's been a little more guarded than the rest of you, correct?"

Caspian nods absentmindedly while looking at me through narrowed eyes.

"Now, you've also noticed how she doesn't get as tired as the rest of you, and has impeccable eyesight. This may come as a bit of a shock, but Etharen is-"

"She's part Xeorian, isn't she?" He cuts Father off.

Father's eyes widen, and shock washes over his face. I take a step back, as if an invisible wall just slammed into me.

"How did you know that?" I exclaim.

Caspian looks at me blankly. "Well, he basically spelled it out for me, and It doesn't take a genius to see that everything about you screams Xeorian. Even your values are Xeorian. Everything but your appearance. I hadn't seen it before, but now that he said it, it makes perfect sense"

I stare at him, dumbfounded. Leave it to Caspian to figure things out

"Is your blood really black?" He asks curiously.

I pull a sharp pin from my hair, and look at father for permission. When he nods, I press the tip into my finger and wince as inky blood starts to flow.

Caspian strides over to me eagerly, and takes my hand into his. Amazed, he runs a finger over the wound, smearing black across my hand.

"I can't believe it." I watch as realization dawns on his face. He turns to father. "Does that mean you..."

Father nods. Caspian's cheeks go bright pink at the implied, but he quickly recovers. "Where is she now then?"

Father sighs, running a hand through his white hair. His blue eyes dart over to me and back to Caspian. I nod almost imperceptibly, giving him the permission to tell the story.

I pull my hand out of Caspian's grip and tune out as he recounts the events of my birth. I hate hearing this story, ever since I was a little child . The thought of my father murdering my mother makes my stomach churn, and I can't stand to think that my mother's body is buried somewhere in the brewery. I fiddle with the strings on my dress to distract myself, and once they're done, I look back over. Caspian is staring at me with pity in his eyes.

"Don't look at me like that." I snap. "I didn't even know the woman."

In reality, my heart aches every time I think of her. No two of us siblings have the same mother, and every time I see Caspian, Falkor, Genevieve or Sapphira hugging their moms, I feel a pang of jealousy. I know it's stupid, but I can't help it. I guess that's why I put up with Eleanor, even when she bothers me. She's the closest thing to mom I have.

Im pulled from my thoughts when Caspian speaks up.

"Why are you guys telling me all this now?" He questions.

"Etharen's going to Xeoria." Father says slowly, watching slowly to gauge Caspian's reaction. "She's going to murder the lunabriars oldest son. You'll need to train her in combat."

Caspian blinks a couple of times. "I guess that makes sense. If she were to get caught, they would assume her to be one of their own, and instead of killing her, they'd throw her into a jail. If you sent anyone else, they would be killed and then they would retaliate. Better risk one person than an entire nation." He says, voicing exactly my thoughts. But still, it hurts to hear himself say it with such conviction, with no compassion.

I guess my hurt shows on my face, because he walks over and grips both my shoulders with his hands. He looks into my eyes and smiles slightly.

"But I don't want to lose another of my sisters."

I crack a small smile at him too, because if Caspian went for physical contact, then it must mean that he really does care. I breath deeply before pulling away.

"Sapphira and Falkor can't know." I say urgently. "No one can know. If anyone finds out both Father and i will be exiled."

Caspian nods. "Of course. You have my word."

Father shakes his head. "Your word's not enough. You need to take an oath that you won't tell anyone."

Caspian kneels unquestioningly and takes the oath, reciting it perfectly and swearing himself into silence.

After he rises, I ask him a question that I've always wanted to ask.

"What happens if you break the oath?"

"Nothing, because you can't. It's impossible. If you try to speak of something you've sworn not to, your tongue won't turn. The words just don't come out. It's like someone's stuffed cotton down your throat." He responds cooly. Before I can ask anything else, he turns back to father.

"What am I training her for?" He asks

"Hand to hand combat, close range and long range shooting, shooting from a top a horse, everything and anything you covered in your classes. Start training tomorrow morning. She has to be ready by the next full moon." Father responds.

We nod and leave for the door. Everything's already been said and done. I'm still reeling from all the revelations of the last hour, and I try my hardest to keep my emotions from showing on my face. At times like this, I envy Caspian for his ability to remain so calm and unmoved. Even after finding out that his sister is partly Xeorian, hidden from him for 17 years, his face is impassive and unflinching, as if nothing could unnerve him. Meanwhile, a cacophony of emotions flood through me. I'm angry and excited and worried and nervous all at the same time. I'm excited to be able to visit Xeoria, angry that my father blackmailed me, nervous im going to get caught, and worried that I'm not good enough for this. But a part of me is giddy with glee. After 17 years, I'm finally going to have some freedom, even if it's at a cost. I'm going to have to murder a prince.

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Word count: 1821