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Taly inhaled sharply and petted Marshmallow, who was sniffing at the ends of her hair that brushed the ground.

“This is only for your information now,” Ivain said. “But it will become an issue when we cross through the Aion Gate into the mortal realm. The High Lord of Water resides in Faro. We’ll need to present you once we arrive in the city.”

Taly’s head popped up. “What does that mean? Are they going to take me away from you?”

By blood, House Arendryl had a claim on her.

“No,” Ivain said firmly. “This is a unique circumstance, to be certain, but no one is going to take you away. I won’t allow it.”

Taly breathed a sigh of relief.

“Say something,” Sarina implored. “You’ve been very quiet.”

Taly opened her mouth, but nothing came out. In truth, she didn’t know how to feel. Too many emotions jostled for space, tangled like threads in a snarl—grief, wonder, something nameless and rising fast. There was no pulling them apart.

Carefully, she folded the glamograph, making sure not to form any new creases. “May I keep this?”

“Of course.” Sarina squeezed her shoulder. “We have others in storage, as well as a few of Breena’s things from when she was a girl. I can have them brought up to your room if you’d like.”

Taly jerked her chin. “Thank you, yes.” She stood. “I’m tired.”

It wasn’t a lie, but it wasn’t the reason she was leaving. She needed air, space to digest what this all meant.

They both blinked, but didn’t press. Just rose to hug her, each in turn.

Ivain told her she was safe, that she was where she belonged, and nothing and no one was ever going to change that.

Sarina threatened to hunt her down if she wasn’t in her bed come morning.

They said their final goodnights, and Taly was in the middle of letting out a sigh ofwhat-the-fuck-just-happenedas she closed the office door behind her, when she found Aiden waiting for her outside.

He stood when she appeared.

Taly blinked at him owlishly.

“They told you?” he asked.

She nodded, overcome by that same paralysis that had plagued him earlier.

Because Breena Bryer had a brother, and that brother had two children, a boy and a girl.

Her… cousins.

This was her blood. Her kin. She’d been surrounded by it all along.

Aiden took a slow step forward. “May I… hug you?”

Taly hesitated, then nodded, tears welling in her eyes. “Yes. Please.Hurry.”

Aiden chuckled and took her into his arms. Taly hugged him back fiercely.

“I’m going to be honest,” she said through the tears. “I’m less excited about being related to Aimee.”

Aiden just laughed and held her tighter.

Chapter 15

The fifth-floor common area was dark. The fire in the hearth had burned down to embers.