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But he didn’t want to hurt her more or overwhelm her already distressed mind. He saw the way she clenched her fists and teeth, the quick looks as she struggled not to flee at every sound. The struggle not to flee from him.

“They’re not at war anymore,” Rion clarified. “They’ve reconciled.”

She nodded at that. “Good.” And just when he thought she might not speak again, his mother asked. “Who is the High Lord of Brónach now?”

“Alec.” Her gaze shot to him again and he cursed himself. “Lord Alec,” Rion corrected. “Lady Saoirse serves as his advisor and is the ambassador in Ruadhán right now.”

“On a first-name basis with so many important individuals, aren’t you?” She eyed him. “Or are you simply disrespectful?”

Rion lowered his head. “I’m striving not to be.”

His heart pounded in his chest as she studied him. He knew what she’d ask next, and part of him wished she wouldn’t. That maybe she’d close her eyes and drift off to sleep. But the words left her lips and it was everything Rion could do to keep himself in check.

“And what of my youngest son, Rion? What became of him?”

The worry in her voice cracked something in his chest. He tried and failed to keep his voice steady. “He became a war general.”

Eimear’s heart began racing. “Is he—”

“No,” Rion said quickly, unwilling to let his mother think the worst. “He’s alive, he just has other duties now.”

“I see.” She looked down at Kaylee, then began running her hands through the girl’s hair. Rion couldn’t help but wonder if his mother thought of him and his siblings in that moment.

“Do you have children?”

His heart jolted. “No. They’re not something I deserve.”

Her brow furrowed. “Why?”

Because I’m a monster. “I’ve . . . done things.”

She laughed softly but the sound sent Rion’s heart soaring. She’d laughed. Decades of torment and his mother was smiling. “If everyone thought that way, no one would have them.” She continued stroking Kaylee’s hair. “You didn’t act surprised when I called the High Lord of Brónach my son, which means you know who I am.”

Shit. Another slip. He couldn’t get his brain to think right. Rion swallowed. “You’re the High Lady of Brónach.”

“And does the unimportant former guard of The Divine who is also from Brónach plan to introduce himself to his High Lady?”

Rion stared at the small flame between them. “I’d rather not.”

“I knew it.” She was looking at Kaylee again. “You really had me fooled this time. Bravo, I suppose.”

“What are you talking about?”

Silver lined her eyes and his heart cracked. “Just be done with it. I’m tired of these games.”

Tired of—oh gods. Niall. His magic. She didn’t think any of this was real.

How many times had Niall let her taste freedom only for the vision to ripple and fade? How many times had she tasted hope only to feel the bitter after-sting of despair?

“This is real,” he said. “You’re free.”

“Free.” She tasted the word but still hadn’t looked up from the child. “I’d give anything for her to be free, but what could I possibly offer you that you haven’t already taken?”

He would kill Niall. The next time he laid eyes on the male, he’d kill him for everything he’d done.

Rion took a shaky breath and searched through the memories he’d buried long ago. He had placed them inside a box and thrown away the key, determined to keep them safe from the darkness that had devoured his life. But Rion dusted off that key now and inserted it into the lock. His mother needed this. No matter how he felt, his mother deserved to know she was safe.

“Mint,” he started, his voice barely more than a whisper. “You used to have mint tea every morning. There was a little jar nestled on the counter with pink flowers decorating the lid and oatmeal cookies inside.” Her head lifted.