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“And I can ride with Drake,” Tava chimed in. “Then everyone else should be ?ne.”

“Everyone set then?” Cethin asked, eyes scanning over all of them. They all murmured agreement, moving to horses and getting settled.

How are you holding up, Love? Sorin’s voice echoed down the bond as she slid back into the cradle of his hips atop the grey spotted stallion they were on.

I don’t know. I don’t think I’ve quite... processed what he said.

You have a brother.

So he says.

You doubt him?

He knows a lot of things, Sorin. It is a little suspicious.

“Will you introduce the others in your Court?” Cethin asked, moving his horse to walk beside theirs.

“On the docks? I thought we were worried about that,” Scarlett said, taking in the buildings on either side of the cobbled road they were traveling down.

There was a snicker from Cethin’s other side, and she leaned forward to peer around him at Razik.

“Technically, we are no longer on the docks,” Cethin said.

“How long will it take to get to the castle?”

“Riding at this pace? A good hour or two.”

“Can you both Travel?” she asked.

Cethin barked a laugh. “Out of all the questions you surely have, that is what you ask?”

“She is sizing up the threats,” Razik said, sounding utterly bored.

But he wasn’t wrong. She wanted to know what gifts they had because she didn’t trust them. Not in the slightest.

“Well?” she pressed. “You want me to trust you, right?”

There were lamps atop posts as they moved, ?ames in each of them lighting the way. Did they stay lit all the time? Who lit them?

But in the faint glow of those lamps she could see Cethin’s lips twitch. “Yes, Scarlett, Razik and I can both Travel.”

“And you are my brother?”

His head swung her way. She could feel him watching her, but her eyes were ?xed straight ahead. Sorin’s arm was looped around her waist, his thumb stroking soothing circles on her hip.

“Yes, Scarlett, I am your brother.”

“Full-blooded?”

“Yes.”

She hummed in acknowledgment. She was sure he was expecting a question about who their parents were that he was claiming they shared, but she just... wasn’t ready for that yet. It didn’t take a genius to ?gure out that if he was the king, their father, and likely their mother, were both dead. Assuming he was truly her brother.

So instead she asked, “Are there Fae here?”

Cethin and Razik exchanged a look before Cethin said, “We were separated from the Fae when the Wards went up.”

“I know that, but then how do you ?ll your magic reserves?”

“The same way the Fae do. Naturally.”

“But that takes... ”

“An inconvenient amount of time,” Cethin agreed.

They fell into silence for a while, the scenery turning from businesses to homes as they made their way. No area appeared run down or neglected, but she doubted Cethin would take her to such areas on her ?rst trip through the city.

“Is this the capital city then?” Sorin asked, the homes gradually growing in size as they moved from one neighborhood to the next.

“The port city of Aimonway has been the capital of Avonleya since the wards went up,” Cethin explained.

“And before that?” Scarlett asked, looking over at her... brother.

She could see it, she supposed. Same hair and eyes. Same facial features— nose, cheekbones, side pro?le.

There was a long beat of silence before Cethin said, “Before that, the capital of Avonleya was Elshira.”

“Elshira,” Scarlett repeated, bolting upright from where she’d been reclined against Sorin’s chest. There was no way that was a coincidence.

“Yes,” Cethin answered. “And what you are thinking is correct. Elshira is right outside the Shira Forest.”

“The spirit animals are from Avonleya?” Scarlett sputtered.

“The spirit animals currently reside in Avonleya, but no, Scarlett. They are not from here,” Cethin answered. He nodded to herleft. “There. These are the estates that will house your people if you are comfortable with that.”

Scarlett turned to see a sprawling building in the shadows, a large brick wall running along the perimeter. It was easily bigger than the Tyndell Estate.

“We can have additional staff to help your own people with the children if you would like,” Cethin added.

“How far from your castle are these estates?”

“A few miles.”

“We can have Neve and Rayner stay with them if you’d like,” Sorin said, and she twisted to look up at him.

“You want Rayner to stay separate from us?”

“It is not ideal, but I think he will want to be with Tula anyway.”

“But his power levels are still low. Tula could come to the castle with us. He can’t—” She stopped, not sure how much Cethin knew about her family. “Can we stay with them? All of us? Here on these estates?”

Cethin and Razik exchanged another look, seeming to have some sort of silent conversation, before Cethin ?nally said, “If that is what you wish for tonight, then of course. But I would ask you to join us for lunch at the castle tomorrow.”

“We can do that,” Scarlett agreed as they approached another gated perimeter.

Cethin nodded at the guards stationed at the entrance, and they immediately moved forward to open the gates for them. “The town does not really start moving until mid-morning,” he said. “As you may recall from one of our... visits, we prefer the night. In case you decide to explore before lunch tomorrow.”

Scarlett rolled her eyes. One of their “visits.” That was not how she would describe this male’s habit to walk into her dreams and drop tidbits of information that turned her entire world upside- down.

But it had been more than that, right? The ?rst few times she’d seen him, he’d said nothing. He was terrifying, appearing in her nightmares and simply watching her. But when he’d started speaking, he became protective. He’d helped her become bonded to Shirina. He’d helped her with the draining Mark, and he’d helped her bring Sorin back.

She was so lost in her thoughts, she didn’t realize they’d made their way to the front of the large manor house until she felt Sorin sliding off the horse behind her. He reached up to help her down, his hands gripping her hips as she swung her leg over.

The others were all dismounting around her, including Cethin and Razik. At her suspicious look, Cethin said, “We are just going to show you around. We are not staying.”

“You know the house well enough to show us around?”

“This is the estate of the Commander of Avonleya’s forces. He was expecting us at the castle, so he is not here to greet you himself,” Cethin said, Razik already heading up the front steps to the main doors.

“And he will not mind us staying here?” Cassius asked, coming up behind them.

Cethin looked him up and down before he said, “He will not.” The rest of them all shifted, feeling uncomfortable at basically taking over a Commander’s home. Cethin took notice and added, “He is busy at the castle these days and is rarely home. I assure you, he will not mind. He would offer it up to you himself if he were here.”

“And the Lady of the house?” Drake asked.

“There has never been a Lady of this house,” Cethin answered.

After a tense moment of silence, Scarlett gestured towards the manor, telling Cethin to lead the way, and they all followed the path Razik had taken. When they stepped through the front doors, Scarlett tilted her head back, looking up at the balcony that ran along the second floor. Two winding staircases ran up either side of the foyer they had stepped into, leading to a landing that split off in two directions. Shining black banisters ran along them, silver etchings shining in the glow of the sconces lit on the walls.

She took another step forward, but a hand gently gripping her arm stopped her. She looked up at Sorin who looked pointedly down at her boots... that were leaving muddy prints on the grey marble ?oor.

She sighed, reaching for the buttons on her cloak, but Sorin was brushing her hands aside. “Thank you for the last-minute accommodations,” he said to Cethin. “We understand asking to stay here is an inconvenience.”

“It is not an inconvenience,” Cethin said, stepping to the side while their company all removed boots and cloaks. They were all tired from being woken during the middle of the night, and they were all dirty from the weeks of travel. “I want Scarlett—all of you—to be comfortable. If she is more comfortable here, then we will make it work.” Sorin pulled the cloak from her shoulders, Cethin immediately stepping forward to take it from him and pass it off to a small female who appeared from the hallway to the right. She was shorter with long brown hair pinned back. She was wearing a simple blue gown, and she had warm brown eyes. “This is Magdalena,” he said. “She runs the household. If you need anything, let her know, and she will see that it is done. Magdalena, this is Scarlett and her husband, Sorin.”

The female bowed her head to them, moving forward to gather more cloaks in her arms. “Lord Razik is making sure the rooms are in order,” she said, her voice soft and melodic. “There will be hot tea and something to eat waiting for you along with fresh clothing once we know who is staying in which rooms.”

“Scarlett and Sorin will need the master at the end of the hall,” Cethin said.

“Already taken care of,” came Razik’s deep timbre, and Scarlett looked up again to ?nd him standing on the balcony of the landing overlooking the foyer. He was leaning casually on the railing, forearms braced atop it, and his brown hair falling into his eyes as he watched them carefully. She knew that while she had been sizing them up on the ride here, Razik had been doing the same. He was doing so now as well, taking in interactions, looking for strengths and weaknesses. “When you are ready, I can show you to your rooms.”

“Right then,” Scarlett said, straightening her shoulders, suddenly ready to be alone with Sorin to take everything in and talk it over with him. She motioned to the others behind her. “Forgive me if I ask to save introductions for tomorrow. We are all rather tired.”

Cethin glanced up at Razik again before saying, “Of course. The estate south of here is being prepared for the rest of your company. The two estates together should be more than enough to house you all.”

“Thank you again, Cethin,” Scarlett said, moving towards the staircase on the left.

Calloused ?ngers encased her hand, tugging her to a stop, and she glanced back to ?nd her brother. Something on his face seemed different, almost pained. The way his brow was scrunched, lines at the corners of his eyes, as if he were ?ghting a wince.

“I tried, Scarlett,” he said softly, squeezing her ?ngers. “All those times, whenever I could get to you, I tried to earn your trust. I hope you know that. I tried to show and tell you as much as I could. I tried, Scarlett.”

She could see it in his silver eyes— the sincerity of those words. And gods, she wanted to believe him. She wished she wasn’t so broken and battered and hardened to this world that she could simply believe in the goodness of another person. But she’d been lied to and used and caged too many times. She simply didn’t have it in her to believe that such a thing still existed. She’d seen him torture Talwyn in her dreams. She’d seen him call forth her shadows when he awakened her gifts. He’d done things to her without her knowing what they were. Sure, the Mark he’d given her had proved useful and needed, but at the time, it was simply another thing she’d had no control over.

He slowly pushed up the sleeve of her tunic, watching her carefully as he did so. When she didn’t pull back, his thumb brushed over the newest Mark he’d given her. The one he’d painted onto her skin with his own blood when all hope had been lost.

“Do you know what type of Mark this is?” he asked, his voice going even softer, as if he was sharing a secret only for her ears.

Scarlett shook her head, gaze ?xed on the interlocking circles on her arm, pale and silver like all the other Avonleyan Marks on her skin. She could feel Sorin hovering behind her. Cassius too.

“It is a Melding Mark. It can only be used by those who share blood.” He pulled his sleeve back, a matching Mark on his forearm. “When used, when our blood is mixed, we can lend each other our strength. The more closely related, the more we can share. But only blooded siblings can share gifts.”

Her gaze snapped up to his. “Share gifts?”

“For very brief periods of time, yes.”

“I did not dream-walk though.”

“Could you feel the power of those around you? Were you able to ?nd those who were strongest? To draw from them?”

She felt the color drain from her face at the memory of her shadows latching onto Cassius and pulling every bit of magic from him, at feeling all of them around her. How Cyrus had snarled at her about purposefully drawing from Cassius that night.

“That was your power?” she whispered. “You can drain people of their magic to strengthen your own?”

“That is one of my gifts, yes,” he answered.

“But... Alaric can do that too.”

“Yes, I suppose he can.”

“How?”

“That is... a long discussion, Scarlett,” he said, releasing her arm. “Go rest. There will be time for all the answers in the days to come.”

She didn’t argue. She was exhausted and that little bit of news was just another thing she needed time to think over, another puzzle piece to try to ?t into place.

Cethin led them all up the stairs where Razik was waiting and then they were escorted down the hallway to the left. It easily had at least ten doors on either side of the hall. The various members of their company peeled off as rooms were opened, and when they reached the end of the hallway, double doors stood thrown open.

“One of the guest master suites,” Razik said as Scarlett and Sorin followed them into the space. “Not as grand as the suite that was prepared for you in the castle, but the best we could do on short notice.”

“We do not need anything grand,” Scarlett said. “Just a soft bed and a bathtub.”

“You are in luck,” Cethin said with a grin. “This suite contains both.”

“If you need anything before lunch tomorrow, just ask -Magdalena,” Razik said from the doorway, arms folded across his broad chest. He looked over his shoulder at the two doors on the left and right. Cassius had taken one of those rooms. Cyrus had taken the other.

“Someone will be here to escort you to the castle for lunch,” Cethin said. “Do you need anything else before we go?”

Scarlett glanced at Sorin, who took the lead and said, “No. Thank you again for the last minute accommodations.”

“They were not exactly last minute. We have been expecting you, but I understand the sentiments,” Cethin answered. He turned to Razik. “Need to do anything before we go?”

Razik shook his head and in the next blink, they had both disappeared, Traveling from the room.

Sorin moved to shut the doors to the suite, and Scarlett let loose a long breath, ?nally feeling like she could breathe normally. She took in the space, a sitting room of some type. The grey marble ?oors were covered with ornate black and white rugs, soft and plush beneath her stockinged feet. There was a small dinette set off to the left, and to the right were two forest green sofas and some chairs. Blankets and pillows were tastefully arranged. There was a small step up that led through another door that she could only assume was the bedchamber.

She made her way through to the bedroom, noting the large canopied bed and double doors that led out to a balcony, before moving through another doorway to the bathing room. The large claw-foot tub before her drew a moan from her lips that could only be described as sexual.

A dark chuckle came from behind her. “Here I thought only I could get you to make such sounds, Princess.”

She was already reaching for the knobs to begin ?lling the large tub. “Looks like you have competition,” she replied, grateful that Avonleya had the amenity of indoor plumbing. Sorin huffed another laugh as she peeled off the heavy tunic, pants quickly following.

“There were tea and small sandwiches just delivered,” Sorin said, eyes skimming over her bare ?esh as she continued to undress unceremoniously.

“After I bathe,” she answered, waving him off.

“Bath over food. I never thought I would see the day.”

She sent him a dry look before lifting a leg over the side of the tub, another groan coming from her throat when she lowered into the steaming water. Without another word, she slipped beneath the surface.

When she came back up, Sorin was shirtless, slipping off his pants. He motioned for her to scoot forward, making his way to the tub, and she arched a brow.

“This tub is big enough for two, Love,” he said as she scooted forward, making space for him behind her. “You have at least had the luxury of a makeshift bathtub these last few weeks.”

“That was tainted by Mikale,” she said with a small pout. “You cannot really call that a luxury.”

“Fair point.”

She slid back, her back melding with his chest, and a moment later he was dragging a cloth over her shoulder, down her chest. She tilted her head back, closing her eyes and gliding her ?ngers through the hot water. Sorin said nothing, gently washing her while she gathered her thoughts.

“I have a brother.”

“It would appear that way,” he con?rmed. “You believe him?”

“Do you?”

She mulled that over, letting it settle in her soul. “I do. When he explained this Mark... It made sense.” She had lifted her arm, running a ?nger along the Melding Mark. Sorin brushed her hair forward over her shoulder, running the cloth down her back. “But Sorin, his gifts... The way he described how he can draw from others... ”

“It sounded like Alaric’s gifts. I know. I heard,” he said.

“And if Maraans acquire their gifts by killing someone and taking their power for their own... ”

“Let’s not go down that path until we speak more with Cethin tomorrow, Scarlett,” he said gently.

“How can I not? What if he killed another member of my family for those gifts, Sorin? What if... ”

What if one of her parents had those gifts? She couldn’t say the words out loud. Alaric was already responsible for Eliné’s death, a woman Scarlett had thought was her mother. Was he responsible for her actual parents’ deaths too? Was there ever truly an end to what the Maraan Prince had taken from her?

Hands on her hips were gently rotating her, water sloshing over the sides of the tub as she shifted so she was facing Sorin, straddling his hips in the water.

“We are here, Scarlett. We made it here, and here we will ?nd answers. But now we are going to bathe, and then we are going to rest so we can be ready for those answers when the sun rises.”

She nodded, swallowing down the knot of emotion in her throat, then she slid back and across the tub, motioning for him to go under and wet his hair. When he came back up, water running down his face and chest in rivulets, she slid back up his legs, reaching for the hair tonic.

“You are going to wash my hair?” he asked, a half-grin pulling at his lips.

“You take care of me all the time,” she answered. “I can take care of you every once in a while.” She leaned forward, working the tonic into his hair. As her ?nger combed along his scalp, she asked, “How are your power reserves after everything?”

He stiffened slightly against her. “They are full, as I would expect them to be after sleeping for two days straight.”

She nodded. “And?”

He sighed heavily. “They feel smaller.”

She wasn’t surprised. She had pulled from him a lot at the Eternal Necropolis, but hearing it spoken aloud still had her stomach sinking. She bit her tongue at the apology on her lips, knowing Sorin would chastise her for speaking it. He would willingly and gladly give every last drop of his ?ames for her. No questions asked.

But they had made it here, and here they would ?nd answers. Maybe they could ?nd answers for this while they were here too.

That’s what she told herself as he slid beneath the surface once more to rinse his hair. They would ?nd the answers she had been searching for. They would ?nd the answers Cassius had been searching for. They would ?nd the answers to win this war. And they would ?nd the answers to Sorin’s power too.

She wouldn’t settle for anything less.