Graduation (Kingmakers, #5)

by Sophie Lark

“Sabrina, you are so like me. I worry what that will mean for you.” This hurts and also reminds me that I came from this man, born of his flesh like Adam’s rib. You can’t forget your parents, any more than they can forget you. I pretend not to understand him. “Why worry? You’re happy enough.” He looks both older and younger in the dim light of the car—his face smooth, his eyes ancient. “You can’t imagine the darkness I lived in before I met your mother. I was cruel and violent. I hurt everyone around me. I had no control. I would have torn myself to pieces until there was nothing left.” My father has always been my mirror, and me his. When we look at each other, we don’t like what we see. Stubbornly I retort, “Maybe Adrik is my Camille.” “Don’t insult your mother. Adrik is another Nero, not a Camille.” This isn’t about Adrik. My father wishes I was more like my mother. But I’m not. Not even a little bit. Fiercely I say, “I like what I am. I’m not afraid to be more.” “You should be. You think restraint is the greatest evil—while you cut every rope that ties you to life.” I hate being lectured. Especially by him. “You would never have taken advice at my age! You always took what you wanted.” “I want you to be better than me.” “Maybe I already am.” He shakes his head. “That’s exactly what I would have said—when I was my most arrogant and foolish. Your mother changed me. She made me better. What will Adrik make you?” I can’t answer that. My father is the only person who can si...