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Lord Riis might have secrets. He might have even had an affair with my mother, and perhaps they were still carrying on. At first, that idea had shocked me, but now that I’d had time to calm down, I wasn’t sure I cared.

They’d been friends since they were younglings, and my father didn’t love my mother. Respected her power, yes. Feared her. If he was smart, he would. Admired her bloodline—of course.

Love? If they’d ever had that, it had died long ago.

However, Mother had affection for Lord Riis. Because of this, I didn’t think she knew that Father suspected her childhood friend of holding the Ice Scepter.

But I did. And Lord Riis had not only asked after Neve’s health but also protected me and my wife. I was in a great debt to him and, seeing as my father’s suspicion regarding the Lord of Tongues was ludicrous, it was time I returned the favor.

“I have to tell you something, Leyv.”

The seriousness in my tone got his attention right away. “Yes?”

“I must swear you to secrecy before telling you. The only people you can inform are Luccan, Arie, and Thantrel, and only if it seems they’re in trouble.”

I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if my friends were hurt because of my father’s delusions.

“Very well.”

“The Courting Festival was not called only so that the king could create alliances to benefit his house.”

“I assumed it was to force you and Prince Rhistel into marriage,” the Lord of Tongues quipped. “That’s not correct?”

“I can’t say that it wasn’t on Father’s mind,” I groused. “But there’s a stronger reason behind the Festival.” A quick glance around assured me that no one was approaching. “Many have speculated about this in the past, but I can confirm that the Ice Scepter has been lost since the time of the Falk reign, hence the increase in storms and the fall in temperature.” I paused, thinking about the blight that affected the health of so many fae, but chose not to add that. It was only a theory, not proven that the blight was connected to the disappearance of the Ice Scepter. “Father has recently learned that a noble house stole it.”

Lord Riis blinked. “Well, people have wondered why we haven’t seen the Scepter. Why, like so many other Falk items, the king hasn’t retrieved it from the royal vaults and carried it on formal occasions. Or when he blesses the Crown Drassil.”

Which Father did four times a turn, two more times a turn than his predecessor King Harald Falk. It had always been a source of pride for my father. I could not deny the other points. Father didn’t venture into the royal vaults forthe Scepter because it was not there. Just as many other Falk items had gone missing.

“Did King Harald use it when he blessed the Crown Drassil?” I’d been too young to pay attention to the actions of the previous king and queen.

“Not always, but if Winter was getting out of hand”—he arched his eyebrows—“like it has been, he brought the Ice Scepter out. The Crown Drassil, any Drassil tree really, needs to be fed magic—a tribute if you will—and the Ice Scepter is a powerful magical object.”

“So it keeps the magic of the land under control not only in the hands of the ruler but by using the Drassil’s connection to the land? They’re all three connected?”

“Or perhaps the Cruel King liked how it looked.” Lord Riis shrugged and gave a half smile, perhaps to lighten the tension rolling off of me. “I spoke more with Queen Revna than her husband. Besides, what has this got to do with me?”

“The king suspects you might have it.”

The spymaster paled. “I’m not from a noble bloodline. I have not a drop of winter magic.”

“That’s why I don’t agree with him, which I have said to him. He, however, thinks that the increase in Luccan’s magic is suspicious.”

“He has grown stronger since he started making gateways.” Lord Riis swallowed. “This is my fault. I asked him to create ones connecting our properties, for safety.”

“Yes, well, I thought you should know. To protect yourself. And the knowledge might help you and yourspies in finding a real suspect now that you fully understand what you’re looking for.”

“Thank you, Vale,” Lord Riis whispered. “I can see that this has cost you.”

I’d promised Father, Mother, and Rhistel that I wouldn’t tell anyone else about this. And now I’d broken that promise. Twice.

I’d broken my honor.

“It’s the right thing to do. I owe you for saving Neve. For masterminding how to protect her as best as anyone could. I should be thanking you, Leyv.”

Lord Riis opened his arms and embraced me.

I stiffened, unused to such closeness if it didn’t come from Neve, Saga, or my best friends. Lord Riis hadn’t hugged me in many, many turns.