Twin Crowns (Twin Crowns, #1)

by Catherine Doyle

Rose flinched. ‘I don’t want to hear any more.’ Thea reached for her hand, and a trickle of warmth came with it. ‘You should know, Rose of Eana, that your mother had made her peace with death. Her last wish was for you and Wren to be safe. She named you before you were born.’ Rose’s eyes burned. ‘Willem said she whispered my name with her dying breath.’ ‘The only honourable thing that rotten vermin ever did was give you the name your mother wanted.’ A tear slid down Rose’s cheek. ‘Why did you leave me with him? Why didn’t you take me, too?’ ‘It had to be that way, Rose. Everyone in Eana knew Lillith was pregnant. Nobody but your parents, the seer and I knew that there would be two babies. A secret blessing.’ Thea’s smile was watery. And you were the one he saw. Your mother told him your name.’ ‘And then he killed her.’