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“Marcus told us many things while we were in his care,” Rachel said. “He was… remorseful over his actions. What he did to his son, what he allowed Aven to do, he couldn’t forgive himself for that. Both he and Natasha, all they ever wanted was to keep Jordan safe. Do you—Did your friend ever tell you he once had a brother?”

Quietly, Alex said, “Luka.”

“Marcus and Natasha were never the same after losing him,” Jack said. “They couldn’t handle the idea of anythinghappening to Jordan, as well. Everything they ever did was to protect him.”

“Perhaps they should have focused more on being better parents than trying to ‘protect’ him,” Alex said, unable to keep the judgement from her tone. “Jordan nearly died yesterday because of Aven—because of who Marcus and Natasha chose to side with.”

“They were never Claimed by him,” Jack said softly. “Which meant, when the time came for them to make a decision, they were able to make the right one.”

His eyes wandered across the room and Alex looked as well, only to see Natasha sitting on one of the Med Ward beds, shock and grief written all over her face. Jordan hadn’t been conscious during Marcus’s confrontation with Aven—the only good thing that had come from his torture, since no child should have to witness the death of a parent, estranged or otherwise— so someone else must have told Natasha about her husband’s passing. Jordan, too, would have been told, and Alex had no idea how he might be handling the news, especially since the last time he’d seen his father was when Marcus had handed him over for Aven to Claim.

Licking her lips, Alex thought back to everything that had happened in the Meyarin palace library. How Marcus hadn’t tied up her parents, how he’d stayed in front of them, keeping them from moving forward when Aven had attacked Kaiden and confronted Alex. She’d thought Marcus was stopping them from trying to help or escape, but now, given what her parents claimed, it was possible—possible—that he had kept them back to protect them.

“For two weeks, we have been guests at Chateau Shondelle, nothing less,” Rachel promised, her arm squeezing Alex’s middle to drive her point home. “Marcus and Natasha were kind to us in that time. Kind, and informative.”

Something about her tone put Alex on edge, a reaction that was justified when Jack spoke up next.

“Why didn’t you tell us how much trouble you were in?” he asked, making her squirm under his gaze. “We knew there was a reason you were keeping us locked away, but you were always so adamant that you were handling it—that you were dealing with your elf problem.”

“I never actually called it that,” Alex defended. “That was all you.”

“Nevertheless,” Jack said, scratching his chin which was considerably more bristled than when Alex had last seen him, “Marcus and Natasha explained the full extent of what you have faced, and what you have yet to face.”

This was good, Alex realised. Even if she struggled to believe the Sparkers’ motives had been pure, their efforts meant she wouldn’t have to spend her limited time offering lengthy explanations.

“Then you’ll understand when I say I’m taking you back to Freya—back to Earth,” Alex said.

Neither of her parents blinked at her statement, almost as if they’d been expecting it.

“Are you coming with us?” Jack asked.

Hesitantly, Alex said, “If Marcus and Natasha really did tell you everything, then you’ll know I can’t.”

“No, honey, we know youwon’t,” Rachel said, if gently.

With her eyes prickling at the understanding looks on their faces, in a croaky voice, Alex said, “I have to do what I can to protect the people of this world.”

Jack and Rachel looked past her at each other, silently communicating, before they turned back to her.

“We raised you to be independent and strong, and to make your own choices in life,” Jack said. “So any protests we might wish to make—”

“Of which there are many,” Rachel jumped in.

“—would be hypocritical,” Jack continued. Quietly, he added, “We haven’t always been there for you in the way you deserved, and that’s on us, our failing as your parents—”

“No,” Alex shook her head. “That’s not—”

“—but we’ve always tried to do what we thought was best,” Jack spoke over her. “And right now, we know that what’s best is for us to respect your decision.”

Alex wilted with relief, pleased, at least, that her parents were agreeing to leave Medora so that they might be safe from the coming battle. That meant two less people for her to worry about.

“And now we ask that you respectourdecision,” Jack went on, causing Alex to stiffen with apprehension, especially with what Rachel said next.

“We’re not leaving you, sweetheart,” her mother said firmly.

Dread pooled in Alex and she opened her mouth to protest, but Rachel continued, “You’re our daughter, and we love you. While we’ve never been the most conventional of parents, we’ve always supported you. So if this is what you have to do, then we’re going to be with you through it all.”

Alex swallowed against the tightness of her throat. “I can’t do what I have to do if I’m afraid you’ll become casualties,” she said. Pausing, she added, “And no offence, but neither of you know how to fight.”