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“Feelings don’t just turn off, Leyv.”

He gave a single humorless chuckle. “I understand that well.”

Something in his tone, a lightness, made me forget the depths of my turmoil. I looked up at him and caught him gazing out the window.

Though I’d paid it little attention, in the distance, if one looked closely enough, you could see the towers of Staghorn Castle—where my mother grew up. Where she’d lived until the day she’d wed my father.

“I left Riis Tower today,” he said, turning back to me. “Returned to Avaldenn. Your father is furious that you and Neve have disappeared. Furious, too, that the vampires left a path of destruction in the city, and he has no one to blame.”

“I tried to tell him.”

“He should have listened. The only good thing in all this mess is he has not noticed my sons are gone.”

My stomach pitted. I hadn’t considered that either. While the Riis brothers had more leeway than most nobles because they lived in Avaldenn, they would be expected to be at Frostveil Castle for the Courting Festival events. Bycoming here, Luccan, Arie, and Thantrel had put themselves in danger.

“They should go back,” I said. “Father might call an event at any moment.”

“I agree,” Lord Riis said. “I told them as much this morning, but they would not leave you after what happened.”

I swallowed. “I don’t deserve such good friends.”

“You do, Vale.” Lord Riis leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. “But to my point—I do not wish to speak of the king or the Courting Festival.” He exhaled. “I only mention that I returned to Frostveil because, while there, I told someone where you were.”

My spine straightened. Telling someone that we were here would reveal Luccan’s gatemaking power. “Who?”

“Your mother. She needed to hear that you were safe, and we had something important to discuss, something we both think that you should finally learn.”

He looked uncomfortable, an unusual expression for the male.

“You didn’t tell her what you believed about Neve, did you?” The idea made my chest tighten and my blood race.

Lord Riis looked away, and I leaned forward. “Leyv?You promised.”

“I did,” he agreed. “And I broke that promise, but only to?—”

I shot out of my seat, and in two strides, had the spymaster by the throat.

“Mother will tell my father, and he will be even morepleased to kill Neve than he already was,” I growled. “Idemandto know why you broke your promise.”

“Because . . .” Lord Riis’s voice was strained, but he did not fight back. If he had, he might have been able to break free, for the Lord of Tongues was one of the few faeries larger than me. “Inga had to be convinced.”

“Of what?”

“Telling you our secret.” He could barely get the last word out.

I relaxed my hold on his neck slightly, enough for him to take a full breath. “What secret?”

His eyes locked with mine. “You and Rhistel are not Aaberg by blood. You aremysons.”

Chapter 45

NEVE

The sun was rising outside the windows of Riis Tower as Clem and I searched for Luccan.

Yesterday had been long, and the night doubly so. Despite the passing of time, my mind was still so full of questions, doubts, and fears. Deep down, I knew what I wanted, would never forget that purpose burning inside me when my mother said I had the power to help many. I could not fathom how to reach my goals, but I had one clue, one way to begin.

My mother had told me to go west. Why exactly? I wasn’t sure but suspected it might have something to do with the Hallow. Or perhaps my closure involving the situation between Roar and me. I’d wanted to confront Roar since he’d ridden from Avaldenn in the dead of night, and that desire had only intensified when I learned that Roar might have known who I was the whole time, so my mother’s suggestion fit perfectly with my plans. West I would go. Hopefully, with Luccan’s help.