Page 56 of The Crown's Awakening
My fingers press more firmly against my stomach.
“They made themselves smaller,” she continues. “Quieter. Harder to find. They reduced what they gave off so that nothing would notice them.”
My breath slows.
“That is why you could not feel them,” she says. “And I could. I was not feeling their presence,” she says. “I was feeling the absence they created. That is how my magic works. It can read truth."
I shake my head once. “No.”
I think of Hyverin. The way he paused. The way he said "strange" and then closed it off.
“The healer just now. He knew," I say. It is not a question.
Jularin nods once. "He served your mother for decades. That is why he said nothing today. He understands what is at stake. Your secret will be safe."
"You are certain?"
"He has kept greater secrets than this," she says. “He is still here."
I look at her. “Did you know it was twins earlier today?”
“Yes. Their intunar is what made it possible. In the throne room, you were surrounded by people who needed something from you. Stability. Continuation. A future they could claim.”
“They sensed that,” she says. “They understood what would protect you in that moment. And they responded by letting me feel them.”
I stare at her. “You felt both of them?”
“Yes. I just opted to only share the news of the male.” She smiles. “The other twin is just as healthy. A female, I believe.”
A girl. A boy. Both with abilities I myself do not understand.
Silence presses in around us.
“It sounds impossible,” she adds. “I know.”
I swallow.
“But it is true." She sighs. "But you should know, it is not a gift usually held by Alarnans."
She smiles reassuringly. "But perhaps your line is mixed with other types of magic. Nonetheless, your children are thriving despite all their mother has been through."
"But," she says quietly. "Twins are coveted and feared across the Thronelands and especially among Alarnans. If it is thought that you have battle twins, those who fear you may fear you more. Others may try to use your vulnerability as a mother against you by harming the children once they are born. Worst yet, there will be concerns that the children will be born with Thren bonds, and the extremists may think they should act against the children."
"Battle twins?"
"Yes, this is what they call twins born with powers that can be used in battle."
I think of what Nyara said about her and Junis. I wonder if they are considered battle twins.
As though she can read my mind, Jularin says, "Battle twins are stronger than most, born with power meant for war.”
I look down at my stomach. "So now what?"
She looks at me kindly. “Now you wait,” she says. “For your husband. For Uralish. Or for the danger to declare itself.”
"Declare itself how?"
"Declare whether or not your children are safe to be born in Alarna, or if you are better off elsewhere."
