Page 162

Anna began to cry, and while Neve looked like she wanted to console her, Clemencia was there, wrapping an arm around Anna’s thin shoulders and nodding to my wife.

Neve folded her hands in her lap, stared at them. “The voice said I had to come back, that I had much to do here, people to help, and it was all because of who I was, which I discovered in the hidden part of the palace.”

“Why didn’t you tell me when you found out?” I asked, prying her attention from her hands. “I could have helped you find your family.”

“No, Vale, you couldn’t have.” Neve stopped and for a moment, I sensed she would try to lie once more, but she took a deep breath and lifted her chin. “We’d never findthem because my family is dead. Killed off in your father’s rebellion—on his orders.”

My heart stuttered. She possessed winter magic, marking her as from a powerful bloodline, a noble one, as Clemencia said. But her family was gone—on Father’s orders. Killed during his rebellion.

By the dead gods.

I took a step back, studying her more closely than perhaps I ever had. How her hair was so similar to my father’s. The shape of her eyes too. I twisted, taking in the room. I’d never seen winter magic this strong. Not even from him. My heart raced as I turned back to her and caught those violet eyes with my own.

“Neve, are you saying what I believe you’re saying?”

Please say no.

Instead, she nodded. “The person I spoke to was my mother, Queen Revna Falk.” A shuddering sob broke from her before she mastered herself once more and rolled her shoulders back. “And I was born Isolde Falk.”

Chapter 43

NEVE

Vale stood over me, a muscle feathering in his jaw, the concern I’d seen in his eyes before guttering as he considered my secret.

I waited, hoping he’d say something.Anything.The seconds ticked by into minutes, and finally, when the pressure in the room grew so thick I thought I might explode, I tried to get through to him.

“Vale, I?—”

“I have to go,” he said and stomped out of the room.

Everyone else stood still, most not daring to even look at me. Not until Anna took my hand. “Neve might like some time to rest.”

“And a warming bath,” Clemencia added. “The water is ready?”

Wide-eyed, Thantrel nodded. “It is. We will, umm, leave.”

It was the first time I’d seen the youngest, most outgoing Riis brother anywhere close to at a loss forwords. Silently, Thantrel left, and his brothers followed, clearing out of the room until only one male lingered on the doorstep. Lord Riis.

“Something else?” I sighed, already exhausted by the day, though it was still early morning.

“You are exactly who I thought,” Lord Riis said, “and Vale may take some time to come to terms with the truth, but I believe he will.”

“We’re related, Lord Riis. Closely so.”

And married. Put two and two together on your own.

“I understand your fears in that regard.” A small smile curled his lips. “I’ll get another room prepared for you, Princess Neve.” He turned to go.

“Wait.”

Lord Riis stopped. “Yes?”

“Howdidyou figure out my identity?” I didn’t doubt that he’d known. Out of everyone in the room, he hadn’t seemed surprised when I’d spoken the name my parents had given me.

“I’m a spymaster,” Lord Riis replied. “I listen. I observe.”

“And?”