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Kal accepts the goblet the queen offers him, albeit with a tight jaw.“If that’s what my mate desires, so be it.”

The queen smiles from ear to ear.“I’m glad that’s settled.”She hands out the rest of the goblets and raises hers.“To Elsie and Aruan.May they live a long and happy life and be blessed with children.”She holds her son’s eyes as she takes a sip of her wine.“May their bond be strong.”

I stifle an embarrassed sound that turns into an uncomfortable cough.There’s no doubt about what his mother means.She must know our bond isn’t complete, and for some reason, that bothers me.It feels too private.

A mumbled chorus of, “To Elsie and Aruan,” follows.

Aruan shoots me a look that says we have our work cut out for us as he brings his goblet to his lips.Reinstating peace between our families may take time.

“I have so many questions for you,” Evolet says to me.“I can’t wait to show you your home.”

The look in Aruan’s eyes is downright dangerous.“This is her home.”

“Yes, of course.”Evolet smiles.“When I said ‘home,’ I meant the place where Elsie was born.”

“I can’t wait to see Marikanea,” I say quickly, trying to diffuse a potentially explosive argument, which I’m a hundred-percent sure will either end in an uninvited reaction set off by Aruan’s power or in bloodshed.Basically, it boils down to the same thing.

“How will we travel there?”I ask to change the subject.

“I can create portals between kingdoms,” Evolet says.

The queen takes another sip of her drink.“Of course, I’ll also be happy to assist.”

I look down, making sure the stone in my necklace remains red before I drink the wine.

“A poison stone,” Evolet muses, tracing the silver setting with a finger.“That’s very prudent.”

Not wanting to go down that road either, I force a laugh.“Rather safe than sorry, right?”

Evolet smooths a hand over my short hair.“When rumors reached us that Aruan’s mate had returned from the dead, I didn’t want to believe it.First of all, the name was different—Elsie instead of Laliss.Secondly, they said you were a small woman, and us Marikanears are known to be taller than average.Your mother certainly was.”She gives a sad smile, pausing as if she’s lost in her memories before giving herself a visible shake.“Then, great tales of how this small woman had controlled dragons reached us, and I knew it had to be true.”

“Rumors travel that far?”I ask, not that I know exactly how far away Marikanea is, as maps are nonexistent on Zerra.

Kal replies.“Alit travel extensively for trade.Portals make it easy.”

“How did you know the rumors were true?”I ask Evolet.“Could my mother command animals?”

Evolet makes big eyes and leans closer.“Your mother could make plants grow.”

“Really?”

“Her power was just as great as yours.One touch from her, and a seedling could turn into a tree overnight.”

Riveted, I ask, “And my father?”

“Your father could create rain,” Kal says.“All he needed was a humid sky.Together, they made a formidable pair.”

Evolet’s eyes glimmer with reverence.“Creating life.”

“Wow,” I say a little wistfully.“Like sun and water.”

Evolet grips my shoulder and gives a quick squeeze.“Precisely.”

I glance at Aruan.If my biological parents were sun and water, what are we?Destruction and chaos?The end of the world as they know it?Or could we be something beautiful, something nurturing and life-giving?

I give a start when Aruan takes my hand and lifts it to his lips.The dark look in his eyes says he knows what I’m thinking.

I hope not.