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Their arrival had momentarily distracted me from what I carried in the pocket of my sweater coat. The draken’s arrival meant we could expect Valyn and the remaining armies tomorrow.

I exhaled long and slow. We were right on schedule. The day after tomorrow, we would take Oak Ambler, and then I would leave for Carsodonia.

For Casteel.

I’d met with Vonetta after the draken’s chaotic arrival to speak about the Crown Regent position. She accepted, although she wasn’t entirely happy about the idea of not joining Kieran and me. Still, I thought she looked forward to bossing some of the Atlantians around, especially a certain auburn-haired one, who would also remain with her. I’d also spoken with Reaver about going to the capital. He’d been in his draken form and had nodded his large, horned head.

Vonetta and Naill were not among us now. They, along with Emil, had gone out into the pines to take care of what had been in that wooden box. But before that, we’d spent hours hashing out what was to come after seizing Oak Ambler.

We’d decided that moving with any type of large group would draw too much attention. Conversation grew…tense when I announced that only Kieran and Reaver would be traveling with me. None of the others were thrilled about that, each demanding they accompany us. But what we’d planned was too risky.

Isbeth wanted me alive.

That desire didn’t extend to anyone else, and I already wasn’t happy about endangering Reaver and Kieran. I wouldn’t budge on this.

And being that I was Queen, I didn’t have to.

Besides, I wanted Vonetta to have all the support possible in case she got any pushback. And given that Aylard wasn’t part of any of these conversations, that was likely. She would have Naill and Delano, Emil and Perry, along with Hisa and the wolven, to support her. What she would be doing was just as important as what I would be embarking on.

What we all did agree on was that it was seriously unlikely that the Queen would hold Casteel in the same location as before. Isbeth was smarter than that.

Finding him would be one of the most difficult parts of our plan. Wayfair Castle itself was extraordinarily large, with similar underground chambers as Redrock. It was where I’d seen…my father when I was younger. But I didn’t think Casteel would be held there, either. Explaining away what appeared to be a cave cat to a wandering noble or a young girl like me was easier than explaining a captive Atlantian King.

Then there was the Wayfair land with its gardens and grottos, sprawling estates, and protected forests. Not to mention the city itself, with its endless places to hide someone.

It would be like searching for a ghost.

Feeling the outline of the ring inside the pocket, I looked up to the hall.

All that you and those who follow will find here is death.

My fingers stilled as the Duke’s words resurfaced. “Excuse me,” I murmured, rising.

Both Kieran and Delano glanced over at me, but neither made any moves to follow. I knew one would eventually, though. I walked out into the drafty, dim hall and to the door at the other end of the manor.

I entered the small sitting area of the suite and into the bedchamber, sectioned off by heavy drapes. Moving to the small table, I saw the card from the box. I hadn’t read it yet.

I did now.

Beloved Daughter,

It pains me to know that this gift will bring you heartache. For that, I am deeply sorry, but you left me no choice. What’s done is done. He lives. Do not forget that while we look to the many tomorrows together but apart. The future of the kingdoms and that of the True Crown of the Realms depends on us.

Love,

Mother

The words didn’t change, no matter how many times I read them. I didn’t gain any sudden understanding of how she could do something like this and then apologize. Or how she could carry out such terrible deeds as if she had no control over them. She’d blamed me for Ian’s death. And now, she blamed me for her hurting Casteel? I’d provoked her. I’d guided her hand. But it was still her hand.

Mother.

I couldn’t believe she’d signed it that way.

Footsteps neared, and I looked up to see Vonetta sweeping the curtain that divided the chambers aside.

“Kieran said you were probably here,” she said, letting the heavy cloth drift back into place. “It’s been taken care of. We…burned it.”

I inhaled through the sting. “Thank you.”

“I wish you were thanking me for something else.”

“Me, too,” I said.

“Of course.” Vonetta peered over my shoulder to look at the note. “There is something majorly wrong with that woman.”

“I said the same earlier.”

“It makes you wonder if she’s always been like this. And if so, what in the hell did Malec see in her?”