Lola's POV

The room felt too small. Too hot. Like the walls were slowly pressing inward.

"Your biological parents were not just rebels, Lola." Elder Joseph's voice was flat. Certain. "They were leaders of the rebellion against the former king."

I couldn't speak. Couldn't breathe. My father's nod, slow and heavy, told me this wasn't a mistake.

After that, I couldn't take in what was being said anymore. The words came at me in pieces. Elder Joseph's voice, cold and methodical, filled in a history ...