Seeing Maud and Sheldrake’s incredulous stares, Jon hastened to explain, “In our bloodlines, siblings can have different hair, eye and skin colour from each other. Males tend to be fairer, women darker but not always. Sasha and I are full brother and sister. I may be older but the right to rule passes through the female line. I am not a contender for the throne, no matter what. Sasha is the rightful ruler of Kimora and I will give my last ounce of blood to see that she is.”
“Tell us what happened,” asked Sheldrake quietly, “how you came to be in Carrador… unless it is too painful for you to recount.”
Jon drew a breath. “It is painful but less so, as the years pass. I will tell you.”
The tea arrived in the best silver teapot carried by Clive, who bent a reserved but accepting smile upon
