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“Yes, exactly. He could have changed himself to look like your mother so that everyone would see her kill your uncle too.”

“But there hasn’t been a shifter like that in…centuries.”

“That we know of. The chance to be someone other than a Patron, to live a normal life…I might hide that Gift, too,” I say with a grimace. “Not everyone would immediately think of murdering to become a royal.”

Eryn finally releases my hands and scrubs at his face aggressively. “This is so confusing!”

“I know. I’m not sure if it makes it better, or worse, but he might not actually be your father.”

“What?”

“Patrons of the Divine have a procedure in the season they turn thirteen that prevents them from ever being able to have a child. It is said that the Divine curses children born of their Patrons with afflictions of the body and mind—and you do not appear to be cursed as such.”

“Worse.” He grimaces.

“Fuck. Sorry Eryn. I just thought you might’ve felt relief at not being related to that monster, but having your biological father murdered, as well as your mother and uncle, is much worse.”

He barks out a laugh. “No, I hadn’t thought of it like that, though I am now, thanks,” he deadpans. “It’s just, I was starting to think of a reason why you and I are the only ones who can see him.”

“Oh, and what’s that?”

“He’s your father too.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

Ilaugh. It’s an awkward and ugly sound. I know it’s covering the panic that’s triggering my rage to awaken, so easily roused and now slamming against my ribs.

“I’m Mievaborn, Eryn. It’s impossible,” I say dismissing him, the memory of my paperwork in Osraed booming in my head like a warning bell.

Unknown/Unclaimed Father.

I finally look at Eryn, and he’s giving me a disbelieving look. He glances pointedly at my exposed skin and hair, then looks me in the eye with a raised eyebrow. “Well, what’s your theory, purebreed?” he asks, using the slur that, historically, Mutts used to insult anyone born of two parents with the same citizenship.

I try to glare at him, hold his stupid eyes, and intimidate him, but I back down first, not wanting the unpleasant hold to wash over me, not with him. I don’t want that with Eryn, I have no desire to take something from this kid who has already given me so much.

Aiming the rest of my glare in the direction of the door. “I don’t know. I haven’t had a chance to think about it yet. Why would jumping straight to being related even be on your mind?”

Eryn shrugs. “We do look kinda similar. The same nose.”

“The same nose,” I repeat, flatly.

“Yours is infinitely cuter, of course.”

I roll my eyes. “You do have a wild imagination, kid. I’m sorry, but it’s impossible. If I had an Erduborn father, I would at least look like a Mutt—” I cut him off with a glance when he opens his mouth to protest. “I’ve seen Erdu-Mieva Mutts, and they’re obvious. That dark hair is much too strong of a trait.” I mess up his wavy dark tresses to annoy him.

“And you’d be pretty damn short for an Erduborn,” he agrees, slapping my hands away.

Sighing, I change the subject. “Tovi should come next time. Your father wanted you to see her as soon as she recovered, and we can’t deny that she isn’t well anymore.”

“What’s she like?”

“Bossy. Arrogant. Annoying. Bitchy. Snarky. Sarcastic—" I start listing off on my fingers.

“And this is your friend?” Eryn cuts in.

I shoot him a look for interrupting me. “—Strong. Protective. Righteous.”

We sit in silence for a few seconds as the word loyal rings in my mind, but I can’t say it. Not yet. She is loyal, just not to me. And why would she be? I’m the assassin of her nightmares. Before Eryn says anything, I continue. “Caring. Funny. Silly. Smart as a whip, and believe me, she will whip you. And yet, she’s also fucking stupid.”