Aria slammed her palm against the couch's arm, the sound muffled by the expensive fabric. "Then what—"
"Orion is a girl!"
The words hit the room like a thunderbolt.
Leyla froze completely, her body going rigid against the couch cushions as if she'd been struck by lightning. Her fingers dug into the velvet fabric, knuckles white with shock.
Vanessa went rigid on her couch, her face draining of all color as her mouth formed a perfect 'O' of shock. She pressed herself deeper into the cushions as if trying to disappear.
Aria's jaw dropped so far it looked like it might unhinge completely, her throw pillow tumbling to the floor forgotten. Her golden eyes went wide, pupils dilating with the shock of Laura's words.
For a heartbeat, the only sound was the distant boom of eruption from the kings fighting outside.
