Valoria Palace
There was a time when all Shay wanted to do was talk to his father, King Agnus. Shay supposed he wanted him to understand him.
Now that seemed impossible and laughable at best.
Shay watched his father until his dark cloak swished around the corner - toward his study.
He could sense the palace guards' gaze on him waiting for him to explode or throw a tantrum. Instead, Shay turned to leave - where? - he didn't know he just needed to get out of the palace as fast as possible.
Then he heard the nursery door open behind him he turned to see Mallory in the doorway. Her dress was wrinkled with a stain on chest that looked like slobber but she was beaming.
"Shay!" she padded toward him, grabbing his wrist. "You've got to see them!"
She began to pull him toward the door but Shay planted his feet. "I..I can't."
His sister frowned looking up at him. "Why?"
"Mallory-"
"Are you really going to let what our father - that jerk - say, bother you?" she pursed her lips, her expression turning thoughtful. "You know the only reason I think Father does this is because he enjoys your reactions."
Shay blinked. "What-?"
"Instead of standing up for yourself you either walk away with your head hung low or run to your chambers." Malory tightened her grip on his wrist. "You need to find your voice, Shay otherwise he won't leave you alone."
Silvyr gave a hum of approval in Shay's head. I couldn't have said it better. That's a good little sis right there.
Shay glanced at him. Don't feed her ego.
"Stop talking about me in your heads." Mallory playfully punched Shay's shoulder. "Come on."
Mallory snapped her fingers and the wooden door exploded into sawdust.
"Father embedded a spell on the handle. It was targeted at...you." Mallory led him around the sawdust. "You would've been covered in boils and killed within a days time."
Now Shay wanted to burn something- preferably his father's face.
"So it's not enough for him to ignore me. He no longer wants me in the picture." Shay seethed.
When they stepped into the room their mother, Queen Patricia, was sitting up in the bed cradling two newborn boys in each arm.
Mallory flicked her wrist and the door pieced itself back together again. She plopped into a chair beside the bed, sweat dotting her forehead.
"Are you-"
Mallory held up her hand. "I'm fine, Shay. You're not here to see me." she gestured toward their mom.
When Mallory had been seven she'd gotten so ill that she'd been stuck in bed for weeks. Since then if anyone questioned her health she'd always get defensive and change the subject.
Shay took the seat opposite of Mallory. Their mom smiled up at him. "Hey, honey. Want to hold your brother?"
"S-Sure."
He stood and took the one in his mother's left arm. Once he had him secured in his arms he sat back in his chair. The baby blinked up at him.
He sported a tousled tuft of blonde hair, reminiscent of both Mallory and their father, while his sun-kissed complexion was a trait inherited from their mother, much like Shay. However, it was his eyes that truly captivated him, a mesmerizing masterpiece in their own right. The color of his irises danced and shifted like a kaleidoscope, ranging from ocean blue to soft shades of light green, each hue revealing a different facet of his vibrant personality.
Shay smiled when the baby lightly tugged on his shirt, he looked up at his mom and Mallory to see them crying.
"Mother-?!" Shay started.
She waved off his concern. "I'm fine, Shay." She sniffled them passed the second child to Mallory. "It's just been so long since I've seen you smile like that."
Shay flushed, looking back down at the baby. "O-Oh."
"Then after you were attacked you've..been so distant." she sighs. "Do you..still not remember anything?"
Before Shay could answer Mallory beat him to it. "I heard that Noah's been found. Maybe he'd remember something."
"I had no idea." their mother murmured. "Perhaps what revelations he makes could shed some light on the situation. I doubt your father gives a damn - so concerned with that crown - I'll be in charge of the investigation."
Mallory and Shay exchanged expressions of shock and awe. They'd never heard their mom speak about their father this way.
Over the years Queen Patricia had learned to keep her mouth closed and opinions to herself. During meetings with the court, being the only woman present, their mother wasn't allowed to speak or change laws.
Men in Valoria believed the women weren't meant for more than warming beds, giving birth to many children, and cleaning.
So when there's a case brought forth where a woman has been sexually assaulted - Queen Patricia can do no more than sit there with her hands folded in her lap.
Shay remembered sitting in on a similar case in the meeting room. He, along with noble families and King Agnus's advisors, sat at a long table.
The defendant and victim had been sitting on either side of the table. Shay had been sitting beside the woman. He remembered hearing her quiet sobs the entire time and then asking to hold her hand when his father gave the verdict.
The man got no punishment except for a 9:30 curfew.
Before Shay had a chance to defend the woman she tore from the room like her hair was on fire. Shay had seen the same woman working in the palace but she never said a word to him.
Sometimes he wondered if she remembered him.
Their mom smiled, brightening her features. "Such a dreary topic." she twisted her hair into a messy bun. "Have you any good names?"
Mallory blinked. "You want us to name them?"
Their mom nods her smile widening.
Shay looked down at the baby again but he was fast asleep.
Hey Silvyr.
Yeah, boss? Silvyr's voice was hoarse as though he'd been sleeping.
Do you know any good boy names?
A pause. What?
My mother's letting Mallory and me name the newborns. Any ideas?
Seriously? I was having a lovely dream. Silvyr huffed. Of course, you had to ruin it.
Silvyr.
Alright. Alright. Silvyr moaned. What color are his eyes?
Uh...blue-green. Why?
Silvyr hummed thoughtfully without saying anything.
"I think I've got one. "Mallory whispered excitedly. "Mason.." she trailed off brows furrowed. "Liam Helix Yarrow."
I've got nothing. Silvyr muttered.
Their mom nods. "That's a strong name. What about you, Shay?"
Shay looked down at the baby who'd shifted slightly in his arms. He thought back to the boy's eyes, which reminded him of the deep sea. His muscled legs and arms stood for strength.
"Maori Evander Yarrow."