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Some things might have been easier if I’d told my grandfather what was going on, but I was forced to keep secrets from the start.

He dislikes everything that isn’t his idea.

It makes him feel less in control. But if I’d asked permission to seek out healers to help Fairon while I was in Trova, he would have refused.

He’d all but accepted Fairon’s fate when he ordered me to go to Trova—it’s why he ordered me to go, hoping the experience would beat some statesmanship into me.

And that meant that if I wanted the search to take place, it had to happen behind his back.

When I learned Ana was a solari, I knew he’d be interested in what that meant for the relationship between the two kingdoms, but even back then, I’d wanted to protect her, so I held off sending any messages to my grandfather.

And the more time went on, the more I knew I wanted to keep her as far away from his influence as I could.

Ana’s fingers move slightly down at her side now. She’s digging a nail into her palm, as if something I’ve just said worries her. She still doubts herself. I forge ahead anyway.

“But our visit to the Lyceum was fruitful. The princess discovered she’s able to access a living creature’s celestial flame. It’s through this we think she can heal Fairon.”

“Impressive,” my grandfather says, but I can see the lack of sincerity in his eyes.

He guesses that I wasn’t planning on telling him about this, and it fills him with silent rage.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve heard someone mention the idea of a celestial flame.

I was always led to believe it was more of a theory than a practical tool. ”

My heart sinks. He’s not convinced. In fact, I can sense he actively dislikes this plan. I need to change his mind.

“Princess Morgana’s progress has proven those old theories true. Plus, if there’s even a chance that a cure for Fairon comes out of this, isn’t it worth taking a risk?”

“You always were one for risk-taking, Leonidas. But a king must be more wary. Tell me, princess, what sort of ‘progress’ have you made exactly? How many have you healed via their celestial flames?”

The color drains from Ana’s face, and she drops her gaze. “I’m afraid I’ve not gotten that far, Your Majesty. I’ve only properly practiced on plants and the results have been…inconsistent.”

My grandfather looks happy to be proven right, and I can see that everything is starting to fall apart.

Well, I won’t let it. I’ve fought too long and too hard for Ana to be here, finally willing to save my brother. I’ve sacrificed too much to make it happen. Including making her hate me. Now my grandfather is ready to shut it all down thanks to his lack of faith in me.

“But she’s only just arrived, Grandfather,” I say. “She’s barely had a chance to try her magic on Fairon.”

My grandfather’s brows furrow. “Was that what you were doing at the Sanctuary of Viscalis? Allowing someone with powerful, untested magic to experiment on the crown prince?”

“Everything else has failed,” I say, my voice rising. “Now is the time to start trying something drastic.”

He tsks disapprovingly, as if I’m still a misbehaving child. “You’ve always been so quick to rush into things, Leonidas. I would’ve thought by now you’d have learned the kind of damage that can do.”

A hundred bitter retorts run through my mind, but I hold my tongue. He knows his words will make me think of Mistwell. He’s trying to rile me into lashing out, so he’ll have an excuse to discount my suggestions. I mustn’t fall for his tricks.

“With the greatest respect to you, Princess Morgana,” my grandfather continues, his voice softening. “It sounds to me as though your magic is still very new and undertrained. That makes it unpredictable. I will not risk the life of Filusia’s heir on something so unknowable.”

“Your Majesty,” I say, trying to keep my voice calm. “If we don’t pursue this, my brother may very well die soon anyway. Surely there must be some way to convince you, given what’s at stake? Some way to prove to you that the princess can help us?”

Ana’s nails are still buried in her palm. She’s afraid she’s not capable of this, but I know she is. I know it, deep in my gut. And I don’t ignore a gut feeling where she’s concerned.

My grandfather sighs.

“I wish to see Fairon healed as much as you do, Leonidas. So with that in mind, I will allow the princess to prove the safety of her magic.” His eyes gleam. “All she need do is agree to undergo a test.”

Now that it’s closing around me, I finally realize I’ve fallen into one of my grandfather’s traps.

There’s no way he came up with this idea in the moment.

No, he had this planned. He wanted me to ask how Ana could prove herself just so he could suggest this.

I don’t know what he aims to get out of this, but I’m sure it won’t be good. I look for a way to backtrack.

“No, Grandfather. That’s not?—”

“What kind of test?” Ana’s voice rings out across the throne room.

“If you are to take the crown prince’s life into your hands, Princess Morgana, you must be prepared to take your own life into your hands.

” He watches her carefully, like a snake about to strike.

“After all, to claim the highest prize, you must be willing to risk death and dishonor. Is that a price you’re prepared to pay? ”

Ana swallows, and I hear an intake of breath behind me. I throw a look over my shoulder to see Eryx shaking his head at me. It’s only then I recognize the significance of my grandfather’s wording.

I jerk around to face Ana just as she speaks.

“I am.”

“No,” I say, so forcefully Ana flinches. I level a glare at my grandfather. “That’s not fair. You cannot force her to swear a vow of dishonor when she doesn’t understand what it means.”

My grandfather plays his role well, sitting up straighter as if surprised by my accusation.

“Forgive me, but I assumed the princess would be informed of our customs. Especially after spending so much time with you , Leonidas.”

He’s talking nonsense. The vow isn’t obscure, but it certainly isn’t commonly used.

It even took me a moment to recognize it.

Still, he has a point. Ana has spent a lot of time around me, and I should’ve prepared her better for this moment.

I’ve told her before how powerful fae vows are, but she didn’t know that was what she was making.

I could’ve warned her not to agree to anything my grandfather proposed before speaking to me first. Instead, I’ve just condemned her.

“What is that?” Ana asks, her eyes wide. “What kind of dishonor?”

“It’s a specific kind of oath,” I say. “Once sworn, if the vow’s bearer fails or withdraws from the challenge, no fae can fight by that person’s side or stay loyal to them without dishonoring themselves in turn. Everyone is tainted by association.”

I see something harden in Ana’s eyes as she realizes just how ruthlessly my grandfather has manipulated her.

“Then I suppose I’ll just have to pass this test then.” Her tone is wry, but I know she can see she doesn’t have much choice at all. She can’t risk the alternative.

“I appreciate you accommodating my request, princess,” my grandfather says. “You must understand I’m in a difficult position.”

“Of course, Your Majesty,” Ana says, making no reference to the fact he’s practically tricked her into “accommodating” him. “I know that everything you do is for the well-being of your kingdom.”

As she speaks, she stares him in the eye without blinking, and the words end up sounding less placating and more like a challenge. My grandfather must hear it too, because his expression stiffens slightly. Meanwhile, I try to hide my smirk.

“I have to insist that you be separated from everyone else ahead of the test, Princess Morgana.” He casts his eyes over me.

“For the sake of fairness, you understand. We must be certain you don’t receive any outside help.

I’m sure you wouldn’t want there to be any doubt that your victory is truly your own. ”

I take a leaf out of Ana’s book and clench my fists by my sides. Clearly, he’s determined to make this as difficult for her as possible. The question is, who is he really trying to punish? Ana, or the grandson who failed him in Trova and has been making plans behind his back the last few months?

I get my answer immediately as the throne room doors swing open and a woman enters. A stab of panic runs through me as I spot the familiar blonde hair.

“Ah, Lady Naia,” my grandfather says with a smile. “Kind of you to come. After such a long separation, I know Leonidas must be glad to once again see his betrothed.”