She was the last one to attend dinner. Tori needed a moment to collect herself and lessen the redness in her eyes before she stepped out of her room and faced her family. She put on a bright face and skipped down the stairs to get to the dining hall.
With both her Auntie Lucia’s family, her Uncle Lorenzo, and Uncle Rom present, as well as Ewan joining them, the dining hall was full and filled with noise whenever dinner arrived. Breakfast was usually a ‘come at your own pace’ setting. Sometimes, she’d eat alone. Sometimes she’d get to breakfast, and her brothers were fighting with Marco and Mateo for food, as if they weren’t rich and had plenty to spare.
Lunch was similar, with meals being brought to her father and brothers if they were busy, or had outside in Presidio if they were wandering around. Ewan ate lunch with the Guevera knights. Dinner was a family affair and the long, wooden table was filled with food and multiple conversations.
Tori took her usual seat next to her mother. Ewan was next to her and talking to her uncles across from him.
“It’s just a light review and application of what you’ve learned so far,” Uncle Lorenzo told him in a calm voice. He looked like a slimmer version of her father, though was slightly taller. His short, curly black hair seemed to constantly fall over his blue eyes. “You don’t have to worry about making a mistake. They’re an allied family and we’ve informed them you’re coming.”
Ewan let out a whimper and Tori cracked a smile. “They told you about the Count de Leon ball?”
He turned to her with wide eyes. “You knew!”
“Practical application of what you’ve learned of knightly conduct will help you remember,” Tori told him. “You have several months until the test. You need to practice every once in a while.”
“Tori is right,” Uncle Lorenzo told him. “La Garda will be watching you the moment you walk through its gates. You’ll want to carry yourself as a knight as soon as they see you.”
Ewan furrowed his brows and slowly nodded. “You have a few more days,” Sebastian told him. “Continue with your reviews.”
The meal was served and Tori let her curiosity eat at her as she kept a smile on her face and chatted with whoever spoke to her as if she didn’t just stumble across a traumatizing secret. She made a point to keep from looking at Kasen, worried that she’d be reminded of the notebook stained with tears and begging for her return.
She made it through dinner and wanted to ask, but she didn’t know where to begin. She considered cornering Kasen and showing him the notebook, but she didn’t know how he’d take it. If he denied any such thing and misunderstood, she couldn’t force an answer out of him. Kasen wouldn’t give in easily.
Tori looked towards her parents and hesitated. She didn’t know where to begin.
“Tori?” a voice asked behind her as she paced down the hall for the third time. She looked towards the sound of a man’s voice and saw her Uncle Rom coming up the stairs. He gave her a curious look. “What are you doing?”
She quickly put a smile on her face and shook her head. “I thought I’d walk a bit. My legs are cramped from sitting all day.”
His brows rose and nodded. “The hallway gets colder at night. Don’t linger.”
“Right, I know, Uncle.” Tori nodded and turned around. She continued to walk up and down the hall.
“Tori.” She turned around once more. Uncle Rom walked past his room and looked at her with concern. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine.” She tried to meet his eyes, but quickly darted away.
“Are you worried about construction at the delta? It is difficult to step back after being so involved.”
“Oh, no, I left it in good hands. And everyone knows to call me if there is a pressing issue that they can’t address.” Her eyes crinkled up as she smiled. Her uncle leaned forward and seemed to study her for any sign of fatigue.
“That’s good to hear. I was concerned that you were overworking yourself even while on break.”
“I have so many ideas I want to try out, it’s hard to stop myself.”
“Were you working on more crystal projects?”
She nodded eagerly. “Yes, I’m hoping to get crystals to react at a distance with Old Sulfae. Kasen gave me some of his old notes that he used when he was learning charms.”
She almost didn’t see the flicker of surprise in her godfather’s eyes. “He gave you his old notes?”
Tori nodded.
He lifted his head and seemed to hold his breath. “Did you read something in them?”
The calm, pleasant look on her face melted away. She drew her shoulders back. “You know what’s in them?” she asked in a quiet voice.
It took him a moment to finally give her an affirmative nod of his head. Uncle Rom knit his brows together and looked down for a moment, thinking. His shoulders rose with a heavy breath and looked up.
“Why don’t we go riding tomorrow morning?” Tori tilted her head to the side and gave him a questioning look at his sudden question. He offered her a tired smile. “You don’t often have time to talk to your godfather. I can answer your questions.”
Tori tensed. She wanted to ask more then and there, but she didn’t want to force it. She paused and frowned. “But they won’t let me ride a horse....”
“I will be with you,” he said with a soft chuckle. “They won’t protest.”
“All right, Uncle.” Tori gave an affirmative nod. “I will see you in the morning, at sunrise out in the courtyard.” She turned around and quietly returned to her room.
She fell back on her chair and looked at the charms and notebooks. She reached forward and picked up the notebook with Kasen’s scribbles. She doubted he would remember even making them.
Tori looked through the pages once more before closing the notebook and tossing it on to her desk. She leaned back on her chair and took a deep breath before diving back into Old Sulfae.
Despite her efforts, she couldn’t concentrate. She’d copy a few characters and her thoughts would return to an image of her brother frantically trying to figure out how to use charms. Sleep didn’t come easy, either.
Tori tossed and turned in her bed, oftentimes getting close to drifting to sleep only to jerk awake and stare up at the dark canopy.
Her uncle didn’t seem at all surprised to see her with bags under her eyes and a pale complexion when she came downstairs. The sun was just rising, but the horses were prepared and he made sure she was on safely and wearing a riding helmet before he mounted his bay horse and led her out of the Fortress.
They went around the back of the gardens, going along a cliffside trail that overlooked Presidio below. A few knights followed behind them, all older, seasoned men. They remained a few lengths behind, allowing the two to have a conversation.
“Where are we going?” Tori asked. Since she woke up in Soleil, she had never gone down this route before.
“A scenic route around the city,” her uncle said. He looked over at her and smiled. “Do you not remember? It was your favorite trail.”
“I still have some gaps in my memory.”
“You liked the view,” Uncle Rom told her. He took a deep breath. “But that’s not why I asked you to come ride with me this morning.”
Tori gave him a little nod. “Is it all right to ask?”
His shoulders rose and fell with a heavy breath. “I think you have every right to know, but...the subject is very difficult for your parents and brothers. No one was to speak of it.”
She looked at him with a hint of concern. “Will it trouble you?”
Uncle Rom shook his head as he stared ahead of them. “Even if it troubles me, it must be addressed now. You must already have an idea that something is wrong. I told your parents that you found Kasen’s notebook.”
Tori drew her head back. “What did they say?”
Her uncle pursed his lips. “They are worried about how you’d take it. Your father debated whether he should speak to you and tell you you’re mistaken, but your mother finally agreed that perhaps it is time. I told them I would tell you. I don’t think your parents can tell you clearly. Although, I also hoped that you would never have to find out about what happened. Very few people know. Knights involved were sworn to secrecy.” He glanced over his shoulder at the six men following them. “Until now, they have held their tongues.”
Tori looked back at the knights, then towards her uncle. “What happened?”
“You were abducted the night of your father’s succession ceremony.”
She felt herself suck in a sharp breath, but no air seemed to reach her lungs. Her hands tightened around the reins as she narrowed her eyes. “Abducted?”
Her uncle nodded; his eyes still fixed ahead as they seemed to glaze over. “You went to your cousin’s succession ceremony in Moss Hill and must’ve noticed the security. Not only are marquis and their families considered targets because of their positions, but at such events, there are other important guests attending. Safety is a priority. Gregorio’s succession ceremony had both knights and a portion of our army stationed around the Fortress and Presidio. The protection of the family is always important, but none of us expected you to be snatched from your cradle in the middle of the celebration.”
His voice grew tighter and Tori swallowed hard. “With so much security, how did someone take me?”
“You said the notebook you found was in the box with Kasen’s old charms?” he asked and looked over at her. She nodded. “Kasen was trying to use charms to detect hints of particular minerals on the servants of the Fortress. When three particular minerals are combined, they react to create a gas. It smelled sweet...very sweet to the point that it was overwhelming.”
“The gas puts people to sleep?” Tori asked, recalling Kasen’s words the day before.
Uncle Rom nodded. “You were a baby and so Nanny Rey brought you to your room to sleep while the celebration continued. We found all the knights in that wing, Nanny Rey, and Sebastian unconscious.”
Tori’s head perked up. “Sebastian was there?”
Her uncle’s eyes glistened. “Sebastian had gone upstairs to check on you. He was the first to see the knights and Nanny Rey. When he went to your cradle, you were gone. Sebastian was the first to find you missing.”
Her eyes began to sting and she looked everywhere but at her uncle to try to blink them back. “Is that why Sebby is so protective of me?”
“He blamed himself, Tori. He and Kasen were obsessed with finding you. Kasen wouldn’t sleep unless we forced him; he was so focused on trying to track down who brought those minerals to your room. Sebastian was wracked with guilt. His hands almost bled during that time, as the only thing he seemed to be able to do was wave a sword.”
“My parents?”
“Your mother had a breakdown. She wouldn’t eat, she was bedridden and blamed herself. Your father blamed himself for his failure to keep you safe. He had his most trusted men combing the march for you. Siobhan and Oliver’s personal knights were also searching for you.”
Tori looked towards him. “They know?”
Uncle Rom nodded. “They were present when it happened. We are family, Tori. We had to help each other. The news of your abduction couldn't leave the Fortress. I’m sure you understand why.”
Tori nodded. “To protect the appearance of strength and stability.” She wrapped the leather reins around her hand. “How did you find me? When did you find me?”
“Kasen’s charm worked and we found the servant who brought the minerals disguised as gifts to your room. We don’t know if he knew what he did or if he was simply putting a gift there. Through him, we found a trail that led us to the kidnappers. She was an elderly raider leader we thought had retired who wanted her sons back.”
“Did the family have something to do with her sons?” Tori asked.
Uncle Rom nodded. “Your father, Renzo, and I had swept through our southern coastline to clean up pirate havens and find illegal trading networks. We captured their leader, the old woman’s son, and her grandsons. They wanted four lives for one.”
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Tori narrowed her eyes. “Then...you gave up four criminals?”
A dark look graced his face as his jaw seemed to clench. “We gave them up alive. They didn’t stay that way for long. None of them did.”
Her heart tightened in her chest. “Then they’re dead?”
Her uncle nodded. “We exchanged you in the desert south of here.” His breath became uneven. “When they gave you back to your father...when they put you back in Gregorio’s arms...it had been a month since you were taken. You were nothing but skin and bones. You wouldn’t make a sound. You wouldn’t cry. You wouldn’t gurgle. You laid there...staring and barely breathing.” She watched him swallow as a streak of liquid slid down his cheek. “We thought you were going to die.”
Tori lifted her hand and wiped at her eyes as her uncle tried to calm himself. “Did my brothers see me like that?”
“Sebastian was present during the exchange. We had to hold him back from attacking the raiders with the rest of our knights.” He took a deep breath and looked at her. “You know Master Ramos, yes?”
“Yes...was he there?”
“Has he taught you how to connect and trigger crystals you’ve charged at a distance?” Uncle Rom asked.
Tori narrowed her eyes and nodded. “Yes....”
“He used that to burn the raiders. They dropped their guard and we attacked. The leaders of the largest illegal trading network in Soleil were killed in one afternoon,” Uncle Rom told her. “And when we returned, doctors and Master Ramos struggled to keep you alive and feed you to try to get you back to a normal weight. Your mother, who was malnourished, hated herself for being unable to feed you when you came home. Maurizo and Cia stayed to try to nurse her back to health, as well. It took months to bring you back to the weight you were when you were taken. You still didn’t make a sound. When you started to talk, Antonia couldn’t stop crying.”
Tori continued to wipe at her eyes as her voice shook. “So, this is why....” She swallowed the lump in her throat as her shoulders trembled. Her family was so overprotective, so doting to an insane, obsessive degree...this was why.
“I know they can be overbearing...even as far as marquis families go,” Uncle Rom told her beseechingly. “And if you are upset or bothered by it, it is understandable, but now you know why they are the way they are.”
Tori nodded. “Thank you for telling me, Uncle Rom.”
“Tori, I understand full well that death is inevitable. That is a reality all those from marches understand, but we should not be afraid of living our lives the way we wish,” he told her. “Your parents and brothers will kill me for telling you this, but since we all die, we should have as little regrets as possible.”
She gave him a wry smile. “I understand.”
“And it never hurts to be prepared.”
“Is that the strategist in you, Uncle?”
“It is the godfather in me, goddaughter.” He reached across the space between them and stroked back her hair over her shoulder. “Do what you want, but know what you’re doing.”
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“Ewan, calm down. You’ve reviewed this over and over. You’ll be fine.” Tori looked at her escort for the night. Ewan was in a borrowed knight’s uniform and standing like a statue at her side as they waited to be announced at Count de Leon’s winter ball. She narrowed her eyes. “Are you breathing?”
A rush of air escaped him. “Yes.”
Tori sighed. “You know, you’ve been around princes and a duke, and you hang around me all day. Is it really that nerve-wracking being at a count’s winter ball?”
“Yes,” Ewan said, without hesitation. “School is different. Prince Piers is very kind to us, Sir Nassaun is my master, and you are my friend. If I make a mistake, you’ll put your arm around my shoulder, give me a shake, and say ‘it’s fine, Ewan, you did your best; I’m proud of you.’”
Tori narrowed her eyes. “I’m not that predictable.” She looked away and frowned. That’s exactly what I would do. I don’t like this.
They continued to step forward with her arm in his. Sebastian was announced in front of them as the main representative of their family.
“Lady Victoria de Guevera escorted by Mr. Ewan Connor.” They were announced and she heard Ewan inhale sharply.
“Think of the food inside,” Tori told him as she kept her eyes forward. “Think of the food. Sur delicacies. Remember that cured ham?”
“Ham....” Ewan said with a nod, relaxing a bit. She gave his arm a little tug and they stepped into the ballroom.
“Smile and nod, Ewan,” she told him under her breath. “Just smile and nod....” She glanced up and saw a pained smile on his face. “Okay, just nod.”
His face seemed to struggle to figure out what to do. She led him behind Sebastian to greet various other nobles and local aristocrats. Tori remembered many familiar faces and greeted them amiably as Ewan seemed to take careful steps beside her.
“Oh, my...who is this?” Viscountess Navarro adjusted the thin, round glasses on her nose as she looked Ewan up and down.
“Viscountess Navarro, this is my good friend from Lycée du Soleil, Ewan Connor,” Tori said, lifting her arm to motion towards him. She did a double take towards Ewan and found that his bald head was starting to glisten with sweat. Oh my God, Ewan.... She looked back at the Viscountess and smiled. “He’s accompanied me to Presidio to study as he is hoping to enter La Garda next year.”
“Is he?” A young man’s voice spoke behind the Viscountess and Tori looked past the old woman to a short-haired brunette with blue eyes. She almost didn’t notice him until he lifted his head. “I’m in my second year there at the moment.”
“You must be Viscountess Navarro’s grandson!” Tori said. The one she tried to hook me up with last year. “She spoke of you last year. If it’s your second year, you’ll be graduating this year, right?”
He was tall and nodded politely. “Yes, my lady. While a spot is waiting for me with the imperial knight cadets, I have been preparing for the various exams to see what positions are open to me.” He turned to Ewan and gave him an encouraging smile. “Do you have any questions about the entrances exams, Mister....?”
“Connor,” Ewan said. He froze and looked at Tori with panic.
She craned her neck. “Extend your hand in greeting. Introduce yourself,” she said in a quiet voice.
“Right!” Ewan shot his hand forward, making the Viscountess’ grandson step back a bit in surprise. “I am Ewan Connor, from Horizon. I am currently a student at Lycée du Soleil.”
Tori nodded in approval as the Viscountess’ grandson grasped Ewan’s hand and shook it, still smiling. “Gael de Navarro, Presidio, Sur. I am in my second year at La Garda.” The interaction seemed to relax Ewan and he pulled back his hand.
“Sir Navarro, if you have a moment, I’m sure there are some things we’d like to ask,” Tori said.
“Of course, my lady.” He rounded his grandmother and Tori gave Ewan an excited look.
“We have a resource, Ewan. Ask him all the questions you want.”
“Is that all right?”
“He offered, so yes.”
They headed to a smaller table to the side, stopping to pick up food on the way. Tori encouraged Ewan to ask about the training regimen, what to expect on the day-to-day basis, and how adjustment was after coming from a regular secondary school. Sir Navarro proved a valuable resource indeed.
“There is also a yearly La Garda Ball, which is more a test on applying knightly conduct,” Sir Navarro told them. “It’s at the end of the year. They don’t tell you it’s a test, exactly, but instructors will be watching and will note it in your reviews.”
Ewan tilted his head back and let out a heavy breath. Tori chuckled and patted his shoulder. “Ewan, you have time to improve.”
“I agree with Lady Guevera. It seems as if there is an endless amount to learn, but you will learn it in time.”
“And speaking of learning in time, Ewan, we still have to dance,” Tori said, looking towards the floor. “Remember what we practiced?”
Ewan nodded. “A very simple waltz.”
“Right,” Tori said. She gave a nod to the other man as she extended her hand to Ewan. “Sir Navarro, if you’ll excuse us for a moment.”
“I will wait here, my lady.”
“Thank you.”
Ewan dutifully led Tori to the dance floor, and as practiced, they turned to face each other and carefully melted into the row of dancers. As expected, Ewan’s movements were fluid with minor mistakes. A few times, he fumbled with his footsteps, but quickly recovered without smashing her feet.
“Tori, do you not have a lot of friends here?” Ewan asked as he furrowed his brows. “No one has really approached you aside from old people.”
“Don’t call them old people,” Tori said with a dull look. “And no. There was a... discussion last year with some of my peers here, and it was made clear that we should just not have anything to do with each other considering our past animosity.”
Ewan grimaced. “Were you really that bad?”
“Yes.” Her answer was to the point. “I had my reasons, but in the end, that’s all they are. I still treated people badly.”
“Like the rumors our first year?” Tori nodded. “So, what happened? The accident?”
Tori nodded once more. “I fell off the horse, hit my head, and my personality changed. Last year, many of my peers here didn't believe that such a change was possible, but here we are. Whether they believe it or not doesn’t make it any less true.”
“Then, Ilyana really is your first friend?” Ewan sounded surprised and Tori could understand. He’d grown up with Henrik, JP, and Sonia. He probably didn’t remember a time when he didn’t know them.
“That’s right.”
“No wonder you named a village after her.”
Tori laughed and grinned. “If it helps, you are friend number two. I haven’t figured out what I want to name after you.”
His eyes widened and a cheesy smile filled his face. “I’m going to get something named after me?”
“That’s our plan, but we don’t know what yet. Henrik gets the main plaza on the shoreline promenade. We were thinking about naming the beach and its adjacent rocky cove after Sonia and JP, but have yet to discuss with them.”
“What about Albert?”
Tori rolled her eyes. “He wants an island named after him.”
“We can get an island named after us? I want an island.”
“We’ll consider it.”
“What about His Highness, Master, and Mr. Zisos?” Ewan asked. “They’ve helped much more than we have.”
“For his help with the assistance with the church, the village wanted to call the island with the temple complex Zisos Naos, but Mr. Zisos disagreed. He felt it wasn’t fitting considering its dedication to the Belcoy pantheon. That’s why we just call it Naos. We compromised and the bridge from the church grounds to the island will be named the Constantine Bridge. Axton, Ilyana, Henrik, and I are building a spa, so Axton’s name will probably be there, somewhere. We don’t know what to name after Piers yet. He’s an imperial family member, so there will be a dedication eventually.”
“I also think you should name islands after them.”
“Just focus on dancing, Ewan.”
“Master - Sir Nassaun, says that sometimes, plains clothes knights are assigned to ballroom duty in which they must mingle amongst the guests,” Ewan told her. Tori nodded.
“Yes, I recognized a few familiar faces at the Empress’ Banquet. I don’t think most guests would notice unless they personally knew the knight. But I did see them dancing and walking around. In this way, they can be closer to the imperial family in case there is an attack.”
“Where do they keep their weapons?”
“Mainly small daggers, but I was told that their priority is to shield the imperial family member.” Tori furrowed her brows. “It’s a glamorous position, but a dangerous occupation, Ewan.”
He seemed to mull over her words for a moment. “But, I have a choice in it. I can choose to become a shield of the imperial family,” he said. His eyes seem to sadden. “You were born to be one.”
Tori shrugged. At this point, she accepted that. “There are worse things to protect than people you care about.” She gave her friend a reassuring smile as they finished their dance.
The rest of the evening went smoothly, but it still tired both teenagers. They remained poised and confident as they walked out of the manor, but as soon as they were inside the carriage and it began to move, they slumped back against the carriage bench and Tori took off her heels.
Luckily, the de Leon estate wasn’t far from the Fortress.
“How was it? It wasn’t that bad, right?” Tori said as they reached the outer gates. “And you made a friend. A friend you can spar with.”
Ewan nodded, relieved. “Master was concerned that I didn’t have enough variation in my sparring. If Sir Navarro would be able to spare time, I’d appreciate it.”
“The imperial knights are a close group, for the most part,” Sebastian said across from them. “Your father would know.”
“My father and siblings are low level knights.” Ewan gave a sheepish chuckle and rubbed the back of his neck. “But my godfather is a higher rank. Tori, you’ve met him; he organized the encampment. Commander Kuhn.”
“Commander Kuhn’s your godfather?” Tori looked surprised. Ewan nodded, proud.
“I’m sure they’ll be pleased to know that my trip here has been very worthwhile.”
“It’s not over yet. You still have another week and then we begin the journey back,” Sebastian said with a slight grin. “You made a few mistakes today, but from what I observed, it was mainly your nerves. You were very stiff the entire time and that can make you lock up.”
Ewan nodded. “I understand, Master. I was very nervous.”
“Nonetheless, you did well for your first foray into applying knightly conduct in a formal setting.” Sebastian looked pleased. “No matter the outcome, I think you should be very proud.”
Ewan was more than happy to retreat to his room and get out of the uniform. Tori reminded him that if he became a knight, he’d have to wear a uniform when on duty. Ewan insisted that he’d get used to it by then.
Tori crossed the hall to get to her room and as soon as she entered, she smiled at the warmth coming from the hearth. She kicked off her heels once more and put on her slippers. She shrugged off her cloak and tossed it over one of the chairs before going to the window to draw the curtains closed. Outside, small light crystals kept the walkways of the training courtyard illuminated.
She squinted and leaned forward and she saw a lone figure doing strikes against a practice dummy. Her father had his sleeves rolled up and seemed to be focus on whatever imaginary enemy he was fighting. After a few more strikes, he stopped and looked up. Tori turned to follow his gaze and saw her mother walking out from the hall with a towel.
After Uncle Rom spoke to her about her abduction, she seemed to know that it was not to be brought up again. Her brothers and parents knew Uncle Rom had told her what happened, but it was not addressed.
Tori lowered her head and pulled her curtains closed. She walked towards her changing area and paused as she passed her cloak. There were things she wanted to tell her brothers and her parents after learning of her abduction. The longer she waited, the more difficult it would be to bring it up.
She snatched the cloak from the back of the chair and moved it around her shoulders before leaving her room, still in her warm bedroom slippers.
When she reached the ground floor, she looked around and listened for any sign of her parents. It wasn’t very late and she doubted they had already retired.
“Sir Alverez,” Tori looked towards one of the familiar guards posted in the hall. “Have you seen my father?”
“He is in his study, my lady.”
“Thank you.” Tori tightened her cloak around her shoulders and walked towards her father’s office down the hall. There was a thin sliver of light beneath the door and Tori raised her hand to knock. “Papa?”
“Tori?”
She waited at the door until it cracked open and Kasen appeared. “You’re not asleep yet?”
She narrowed her eyes. “You’re not Papa.”
Kasen gave her a dull look and stepped to the side, opening the door wider to let her in. Tori went inside and was somewhat surprised to see Sebastian seated across from their father while her mother was on the sofa. Sebastian smiled and welcomed her in.
“We were discussing Ewan’s progress,” he told her as he motioned for her to take a seat on the sofa with their mother. “How do you think he did tonight?”
“Outside of his nerves,” her father said. “It’s understandable when it’s his first formal ball of the like.”
“He’ll improve. He just needs to get used to the situation,” Tori said. She stopped by the sofa and looked around, raising a brow. “All of you are here discussing Ewan?”
“I came to talk to Papa about it. Mama was here and Kasen was passing by, so I asked what he thought,” Sebastian said. He gave her a curious look. “What about you?”
Tori chewed on her lower lip for a moment and tried to measure her words. “I wanted to tell Papa it’s not his fault.” She dared lift her head to look at her father, who looked confused.
“Did I do something?” he asked with an uncertain chuckle.
Tori shook her head. “You did everything you could. It’s not your fault.” Her eyes began to sting once more. “It’s not any of your faults.”
Sebastian’s slight smile began to falter and he sat up straight in his seat.
“Tori....” Her mother lowered her hands and looked at her.
Tori lifted her hands quickly and took a step back. She gave them as bright a smile as she could. “I just want to make it clear. I’m very lucky to have you as my family, regardless of what happened.” She took a deep breath. “I love you all very much.”
It sounded silly to say out loud, but she wanted to tell them, especially after she found out about the abduction.
Her mother began to cry, and from his desk, her father shut his eyes. “If you were not my daughter, it would not have happened.”
Tori drew her lips in and held back a small laugh. “Are you saying you regret having me?”
“No!” Her father and mother’s voices filled the room in an instant. Antonia shot up from her seat and rushed to hold her.
“How can I ever regret having you?” Antonia choked out as she crushed Tori against her and buried her face in her hair. "You are our daughter and part of this family; we will always support you."
Tori closed her eyes and pressed her face against her mother’s shoulder. A bittersweet feeling filled her body as she gripped the back of her mother’s dress. ...and that’s why the Guevera March fell.