He’s not interested in giving her a chance to explain or rationalize.
Her being included in the proposal for Rowen’s removal is rooted in her inability to turn on her father.
“I would like to remind the council of the timing of Rowen’s proposal for the union between Erus and Vis,” Ganus says and I shift, meeting Ryc’s stare. “Eight weekspriorto the tragedy that drew us to Ollora.”
The proposal was made eight weeks prior to the eclipse?
Ryc and Tanila’s engagement was new?
For some unknown reason, I believed it to be long set—something agreed upon long beforeI came into the realm.
My mind whirls, racing to piece together the timeline.
Eight weeks prior to the eclipse falls roughly around the time of Celesta’s ascension celebration at the temple—the night I was pulled through the veil.
“When Rowen made the proposal for Alaryc and Tanila’s union,wequestioned why Alaryc had yet to find his mate,” Ganus proceeds and in the corner of my eye, a violet clad leg swings over the other. “But it wasRowenwho asked a question that lingered in my mind for weeks after… It didn’t sit right. It’s not a question we’ve ever asked another king while in their search.”
“Do you believe your mate to be alive?” Eloric states the question.
Lilith mentioned this—she mentioned the council discovered Ryc’s thoughts on the matter. It was Rowen who led that charge?
As damnable as the bond between Ryc and I may be at times, I certainly wish it was available now. The silence between us is smothering.
I—I think I understand where this is going.
In light of what Ganus has learned in the time between Rowen’s proposal and the eclipse—who and what I am, Netharis’ need for me to remain in the hells—he’s come to the conclusion the proposal was nothing more than a ploy of Netharis’.
Only it wasn’t.
None of this feels like somethingNethariswould pursue.
For Netharis to be involved, what stands to be gained must be great. This is too little, and less than guaranteed. Rendering Ryc unavailable via marriage wouldn’t have been enough to stop him from hunting me in the living realm. These fae have made it clear the mate bond takes precedence over everything else.
The moment he found me, the marriage would have been absolved. Where are the gains in that? I certainly wouldn’treturnto the hells were I to have discovered Ryc wed.
No, Netharis promised me to Kassil—thatwas his resolution. That was his chosen means to keep me bound to the hells. Ryc was never part of the equation.
Yet… it doesn’t answer the question onhowRowen knew to ask such a question.Or who told him to.
“Rowen,” Ganus’ voice slices through my thoughts and straightens my spine. “Did Netharis order you to interfere with Alaryc’s ability to find his mate?”
The question hangs in the air like a storm cloud.
Charged and ready to set the room on fire.
A small smile plays on Rowen’s lips. “No,” he answers calmly.
“Truth,” Eloric snarls and the room explodes with voices.
Kings shout, stand from their seats, and sling accusations—all of it rings unheard by my ears. Instead, a loud nagging settles into the back of my mind.
Things aren’t quite aligning.
It may not have been Netharis, but in my bones, I know itwasa demon.
Netharis might have known Ryc existed, but I fully believe he was unaware of Fate’s hand in our shared destiny. It left room for another to figure it out. And they kept the information to themselves.
Someone who grew able to tell any time I dreamt of the dark-haired fae.
