‘Don’t be afraid, little ones,’ I whispered, pushing my way determinedly into the dark, even though I had no idea of what it held. Hot tears scalded my cheeks. ‘I’m going to live for you. I’m going to guard you with my last breath. I’m going to love you enough for mother and father both, so you feel no lack. I’m going to teach you everything you need to know to be princes. But more than that, I’ll teach you what you need to know to be good human beings, so that you’ll never do to a woman what your father has done to me.’
