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“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Oh, stop with that nonsense. I’m your mother.”

“Since when?” Avera objected. “We’ve only barely spoken. You spend more time with your dogs than me.”

“I’m aware I wasn’t the mother you deserved but that was on purpose. The distance between us was a ruse to ensure none knew how I favored you.”

Avera blinked. “Favored me how?”

“By not killing you, for one. From your birth, once your appearance was noted, I had some that urged me to rid myself of you. Many considered you a bad omen.”

“They wanted to kill a baby?” The shock emerged in her reply.

“They thought you unnecessary, given the three other children I bore. They worried about your parentage. I made it clear you weren’t going anywhere.”

Given Avera might never get another chance, she had to ask. “Who was my father?”

The queen’s lips curved softly. “A stupendous man that I met by chance. We had a torrid affair before he had to leave.”

“To go where?”

“Back to his home. We only spent a short time together before he departed, never knowing you existed.”

“Did you try and contact him?”

Her lips turned down. “I did, but he never replied.”

“What’s his name?”

“Basil. But you’ll never find him. He was from Verlora.”

The inaccessible continent, making him most likely dead. A father found and lost just as quickly. “I’m half Verlorian?” Shecouldn’t help the shocked exclamation even as it confirmed what she’d long suspected given her unique coloring. It also probably explained her fascination with Verlorian artifacts.

“You are. But don’t let anyone ever tell you that makes you less of a Draevian. Your mixed blood makes you stronger, and never forget you aremydaughter.” A fierce claim.

“I don’t feel stronger.”

“You are, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. If they try, take their head.”

The suggestion rounded Avera’s mouth. “I can’t kill people for having an opinion.”

The queen’s face hardened. “You should make an example of those who would oppose your rule. A few beheadings will quickly stop any muttering. Once the people see you’re capable and have Daerva’s best interests at heart, they’ll come around. You’d think they’d remember we already have mixed blood in our line. Your great-great-grandfather married a woman from Verlora.”

“I read about her. She’s the reason we make fat loaves of bread instead of just flat.” The foreign consort had taught the cooks how to make the dough rise and remain fluffy when baked. Avera had learned about it in her history class.

“You see, you won’t be the first. Now, on to the secrets. You will need to visit Fraegus Spire as soon as you can after the coronation.”

“Whatever for?” Fraegus Spire, to the northeast of their capital, was considered to be dangerous, the mountain impassable and inhabitable.

“There is knowledge there, knowledge meant only for the Queen or King of Daerva as it would be dangerous in the wrong hands. It is tradition to visit it upon inheriting the throne.”

“How come I never heard about it?”

“Because the pilgrimage is kept secret. I managed my visit during my coronation voyage.” A trip where the newly crownedroyal put themselves on display in all the towns and hamlets so the people might meet their new ruler. “I pretended to be sick in Herder’s Respite which is the hamlet at the spire’s base. In truth, I snuck out while my handmaid covered for me.”

“This whole visit to the spire seems rather complicated. Wouldn’t it be easier to just tell me what you learned?”

The queen shook her head. “I can’t. You must discover it for yourself.”