Vertebrae

The weight in the man's voice was palpable.

Spineus couldn't help but stare at his father for a few seconds without saying anything. This was the first time he was seeing him this serious.

But then, after a few seconds, his words seemed to register in his head. Their family had been the rulers of the bone race in the past?

"We were the rulers? Wait, doesn't that make me a prince? How come I'm just hearing of this now?" Spineus asked with a baffled expression.

"Because you were not ready."

"And now I am?" Spineus' confusion just kept on increasing as his father spoke. What was different between now and then? He just couldn't understand this man today.

The man turned, faced Spineus, and spoke, "Now, you have to be."