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“Yes. I do.” She crossed her arms against her chest, whites of her eyes nearly as red as her fiery curls.

Nix inhaled slowly, exhaled deeply, and steadily held her gaze. When her eyes parted, and her breathing all but stopped, I knew she’d seen what he was referencing. Uncrossing her arms, she gripped the table and slowly lowered herself to her chair. Once she was in it, she couldn’t hold his gaze. She couldn’t look at anyone, even Cere beside her.

But Cere had seen it too. That was her primary ability. Mind reading. She’d witnessed everything Stella just had. The only difference was, unlike Stella, there was no shock in her face.

She and I had talked about the boys once. How they’d been sweeter than honey as children, but nastier than rats once they were men. That was my phrasing, not Cere’s. She’d been their stepmother. We all loved them, but she loved them more than I did, just as everyone around this table loved my children, but not as deeply as Nix and I did.

“You think he meant that?” Cere asked Nix.

“Which part?”

She gritted her teeth, green eyes lighting aglow. “He killed Venark when he said that was the only way they’d rule over the souls we created.”

“What do you mean?” I glanced between them. “They want the souls we’ve cultivated? Is that what you’re saying?”

“Yes and no,” Stella murmured. “Not for the reason that the maalaichte cnihme want souls. I don’t… I don’t think it has anything to do with that.”

“I don’t either,” Cere murmured, looking at Nix and me. “They want to be us.”

“What?” Elira squinted down the table. “What does that even mean?”

“They want to rule,” Cere said. “Michael, when he grabbed Nix, he said something about how he was supposed to be king. None of this would’ve happened if he hadn’t fucked the queen.”

I huffed.

That boy had only known a few words when Nix and I took Lux’s crown. He was the age my youngest was now. Whatever vendetta he held against me couldn’t have been overthat, could it have?

“Power,” Heylel murmured. “They want power.

“I agree,” Luna said. “They always have.”

“They have power now,” Nix said. “Lux has always been a pawn. He isn’t strong enough to rule. Those boys don’t follow him around like ducklings purely because they love him. They follow him because it’s how they rule his realm.”

“Exactly,” Heylel said. “You still don’t see it?”

“No, I don’t,” I said, peering around him. “Has he told you something?”

“We aren’t friends, do gràs. We don’t exactly spend time together.” He frowned. “But I know him. And, I mean no disrespect, but I’m surprised you hadn’t expected this.”

“Expected what, exactly?” Nix asked. “My nephew to try to kill me?”

“Keep an eye on history,” Mum said under her breath, “and you’ll see many kill for thrones they feel they’re owed.”

“Aye,” Heylel said. “He resents you for taking the throne. If you hadn’t, he would’ve ruled Matriaza. You gave it to Usui instead.”

“Eh.” Rion propped his elbow on the table, rested his chin in his hand, and sighed deeply. “I can see it.”

“And now, Lux has more power than ever,” Heylel said. “He knew your plan was to punish him for what he’d done, and sure, if you killed Lux, Michael would be the new ruler of Matriax. But he already has that power. It isn’t enough. He wants more.”

“Those souls are still inside Lux, aren’t they?” Neia asked.

Nix’s breaths slowed, eyes widening. “Shite.”

“What?” I asked.

“He and Rafael said they were going after the boys to get Hana and Venark’s bodies, and both of their souls.” Nix rubbed his eyes. “That’s what you think they’re doing. Luring Lux so they can take the souls from Matriaza and Morduaine. Then we’ll stand no chance against them.”

Frowning, Heylel nodded.