Selene's chest heaved. She hadn't meant for it to come out like that. Yes, she had planned to reveal them eventually, her children were part of the three birds she intended to strike with one stone, but never in this way. Never in the heat of fury. The Arbiter's venom had pierced through her control, and for a moment, her mask had slipped. She hated how they spoke of Orion, hated how they reduced him as though he was unworthy of existence. Rage had clouded her judgment, and she had spilled.
Across the dais, Artemis exhaled heavily, chains rattling against her wrists. If she hadn't been bound, she would have buried her face in her hands. After everything you've done to shield them, you go and blurt it out like that?
Thaleon's jaw tightened, his hands twisting hard into his robes until his knuckles whitened. Boiling heat roared beneath his calm exterior. They...they had children? His glare fixed on Selene, sharp enough to cut.
