-Laelia-
“What is this?” I asked, though I already knew the answer.
My uncle’s smile widened. He reveled in this moment—no, he thrived on it. I looked at my brothers and Ashes, each of them meeting my gaze with a mix of pain and guilt. They shouldn’t have come. Now, we were all doomed.
I slowly turned back to my uncle, unsure of what to do or say. Had we truly lost before the war had even begun?
“I’m so happy we’re finally all together,” my uncle said, his voice dripping with false warmth.
He turned from me to my brothers, giving them a smirk that was anything but friendly.
“Welcome home, nephews.”
“Go… f*ck yourself,” Henry spat.
My uncle merely shook his head. “Let’s keep things civil,” he said cheerfully. “I’ve brought you all together for a reason.”
“Except James,” Will adde
