Page 91 of Whispers of Wisteria

He frowned. “Still, he holds some authority.”

My stomach dropped. “Well—” I bit my bottom lip. “He and Brayden are the only ones I know.”

He studied me before asking, “You still haven’t met Declan?”

I clenched my fists in my lap. “N-not yet.” He lifted a brow, and I added, “But he isn’t the head of the house either, right?”

“Correct,” the man said slowly. “And, as he abdicated his role for another purpose, Declan is no longer the heir.”

“So, who is the heir?” I asked.

“Bryce.” He paused and added, “You do not wonder about the current patriarch?”

“I guess it doesn’t matter.” I shrugged. Bryce hadn’t seemed fond of our grandfather. “Bryce said he’s evil and’ll try to kill me.”

“Is that so?” he drawled. “I wouldn’t pay him any mind. Bryce can be emotional and stubborn. He most likely did something to bring scrutiny onto himself.”

I nodded—it was good that another fae could see it. But—

“I—I don’t get it.” I touched my chin. “If Bryce hates him so much, why would he want to be the heir?”

He pursed his lips, considering, before responding. “There must be an heir,” he said, inclining his head. “Should Bryce perish, Declan would have to return, or the role would fall to Brayden. Someone must protect the house’s inheritance.”

“What inheritance?” I asked.

“Every line has one. We fae keep this a secret from outsiders—do not speak of it to others,” he said. “It has been ordered by Mu himself.”

My mouth went dry, and I nodded.

“The strength of a house’s status is determined by a power passed through the paternal line,” he replied, studying his hands. “It is the family’s responsibility to protect it.”

“Is this like the rings?” I asked. He glanced at me, and I clarified. “My great-uncle said something about the Rite of Inheritance. Is it similar or…”

He waved his hand. “Nothing like that,” he replied. “Fae women have no place in such displays. The daughters,” he continued, linking his fingers beneath his chin as he studied me, “are the ones who inherit the spirit of the family’s power. It is a female fae’s birthright.”

So, father’s left their daughters a special power? Interesting.

“What’s that?” I asked. “And what if there are multiple girls born into a family…”

“It’s not common for a family to have more than one female,” he replied, still staring at me. “But in those cases, it goes to the infant who takes the first breath.”

I leaned back as he added, “The Dubois family is a noble family. Our females are rarer, but the spirit is stronger. Generations might pass between a daughter’s birth. There would be high expectations for anyone born into that line.”

I stifled a nervous laugh. “I—I guess it’s a good thing I’m only married to Bryce then…”

“Indeed.” He frowned, then said slyly, “Though it doesn’t answer why you appear to be without a chaperone.”

Why did he have to ruin everything?

And what was that evil look?

“I guess I don’t need one after all. Bryce must really trust me,” I said, pulling at the bottom of my sweater.

“It’s not a matter of trust,” he stated. “It’s a matter of neglect. You might only be ‘married,’ but you still carry the Dubois name. That, in itself, is a responsibility and risk.”

“Ah.” I twisted my hands in my lap. Maybe this was enough fae culture for the day? “It’s possible he doesn’t like me all that much?”

I didn’t want to fight.