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“I was ten. My father died three years later.” And he had paid a fairy to fake my death for my mother’s benefit.

When he said nothing else, I finally looked at him.

He gave me a small smile. “If it helps, my father tried to kill me, and my mother sold me into apprenticeship with a mad wizard.”

My brows shot up at his words. I let out a choked laugh. “Seriously?”

He grinned. “See, you’re not the only one with a complicated past.”

I laughed again, shaking my head. “No,” I said, thinking of Mistral, “I think compared to the lot of you, my past is boring in comparison.”

“A fine way to look at it.” Setting his tea aside, he stood and offered me his hand. “Now shall we?”

I stared dubiously at the offered hand. “Shall we,what?”

“If there’s one thing I know, it’s that old men take forever to hammer out contracts. We may as well make the most of our time and further explore your blossoming magic.”

I nearly choked on my tea at Crispin calling Sebastian an old man, though technically, he was right. Relatively speaking, at least.

I set my tea aside, then hesitantly took Crispin’s hand.

Once I was standing, he held on tight, standing a little too close, his eyes intense. “Now tell me, what exactly have you been doing in the Bogs to make your magic a little different every time I see you?”

I blinked at him, jaw agape.

“Don’t worry, I can only see it because of my own innate magic. Elena hasn’t noticed a thing.”

I shut my jaw with a click. “If you want to know aboutthat,I’m going to have to get to know you a hell of a lot better.”

He grinned, still holding my hand. “Well, lovely Eva, there is no time like the present.”