Lord Riis inhaled deeply. “No one questioned the circumstances of their birth, and Queen Inga didn’t say otherwise. After King Magnus claimed them as his, a father by actions and his own form of love, he was their acting father. I simply never mentioned my part. Why would I?”
“Lies by omission,” Lord Balik took his seat once more. “So, Prince Rhistel is not the true heir. Rather, you are, Princess Saga.”
My pink-haired friend cleared her throat. “Should my father keep his crown. Which I’ve already stated, I do not support.”
“You renounce the throne and all the privileges it affords you?” Lord Balik asked.
Yes, being a princess came with enormous privilege. She lived a life most fae, even the well-off commoners, dreamed of. But there was one matter in which being a royal princess did not suit Saga, and it was a large thing to contend with.
Saga loved Sayyida Virtoris. Normal fae, maybe even those of lesser houses, were free to wed and create a family with whomever they wished. Saga, however, was royal and needed to further their line. First, she’d been betrothed to Vidar Virtoris, then to that snake, Roar—neither engagements were her choice.
If Saga renounced her blood right to the Crown of Winter’s Realm, she could have more freedom. It might still be odd for a high lady of the Sacred Eight to wed another lady, but it was not unheard of. At least two members of great houses past youngling-bearing age, and who had lost their husbands or wives, had done so. While Saga would not have that age on her side, if her father was dethroned, he’d be in no state to tell her, or anyone else, who to wed. And Thyra and I would not do as theking had done and force matches. If we won, Saga would be free to do as she pleased. Anyone would be.
“Yes,” Saga said finally. “I would give up the throne. He may not be an Aaberg by blood, but Vale is worthy of being a King Consort. And as for Ne—Isolde, well, she has shown she possesses the grace, courage, and power to rule this realm well.” Saga looked to Thyra. “I don’t know Thyra well enough to say the same. But I trust in Isolde and Vale’s judgment.”
My heart warmed even as my sister scowled. Saga had great trust in me. And while my sister and I had not settled on who would rule, my friend saying those things meant the world.
Lord Balik leaned back in his chair as his wife spoke up.
“This is quite a lot to take in, but including both Prince and Princess Aaberg in the Falk court changes things, does it not, husband?”
He looked up at Lady Balik and smiled before training his gaze on my twin and me again. “My wife speaks the truth. I need to consider all that I’ve learned.”
“We understand,” Thyra said. “However, you should be aware that there is more you need to know before deciding.”
My stomach tightened, and inside, shadow magic swirled. I swallowed, hating my new power and how different it felt from my winter magic. How wrong and unpredictable.
“And what is that, Princess Thyra?”
“My sister and I stand against King Magnus not only because of what he did to our family, but because of who he aligns himself with now.”
“Lord Lisika? House Ithamai and the Qirens?” Lord Balik’s lips turned down at the mention of the last house. “They’re powerful. I can see why you’d fear them and come knocking at my gate.”
“Not them.” Thyra matched his smirk. “King Magnus has aligned himself with King Érebo of House Nikao.”
The Warden of the South’s eyebrows pinched. “The name sounds familiar, but there is no ruling monarch in Isila with that name.”
“There wasn’t,” I said. “Hasn’t been for millennia. Not since Queen Sassa Falk trapped King Érebo in a tree and banished the rest of the Shadow Fae.”
Another stillness took over the room, this one cold and with a sense of rising fear.
Lord Balik’s brown cheeks had gone somewhat ashen. “You’re saying that there’s a Shadow Fae, a king of that race of fae, in Isila again?”
“The same one our ancestors fought during the Shadow Fae wars,” I affirmed. “He’s free and out for blood. King Magnus will oblige him because, thanks to our ancestry, their interests align.”
“The Shadow Fae King will try to bring his people back, too,” Thyra added. “And we can all guess what will happen if that occurs. How furious they must be to have been ripped from their world and placed into another. Or at least, that’s what we think happened.”
“They were banished via a gateway?” Lord Balik asked, using logic to fill in what my sister had not outright said.
“That is our working theory.”
Luccan had confirmed that it was possible. Incredibly difficult, but possible. We were hoping to do research here to learn moreinthe Great Library of the South.
Murmurs began to ripple through the crowd, and fear shone on faces all around. But when Lord Balik lifted a hand, the room went silent once more.
“I need the entire story.”
I folded my hands in front of me. “Would you like us to tell it now?”
