She stilled. “They caught me first.”
My hands froze.
“Skaldir warriors raided our camp in the night. They slaughtered everyone but me.”
“And Kairos came for you.”
“He tore through their defenses.” Her eyes met mine in the mirror. “But it was a trap. They let him get close, then closed the net.”
My throat tightened.
“He was still fighting when they dragged him in. They offered him a choice—swear himself to Skaldir or watch them execute his entire host.” She paused. “He refused.”
My nails bit into my palms.
“So they brought me in,” she whispered. “Told him if he didn’t yield, I’d never go home. That I’d become a ward and marry Vaeris.”
“He chose you over his freedom.”
“Yes. And the moment Skaldir realized their prize wouldn’t bend, they marched south.” Her voice hollowed. “My parents led the charge and fell in battle.”
“What about him sacrificing himself for peace?”
“It’s true.” Elwen’s voice went quiet. “He gave himself up, and the war ended. Skaldir agreed to a treaty. No more bloodshed, as long as they had him.”
“So he saved the realm.”
“Yes, but at a great cost.”
“What did they do to him?”
Elwen’s hands trembled as she reached for another pin. “I don’t know, but the male who returned isn’t the same person.”
An image of Kairos in the throne room flashed in my head. A century of frustration compressedinto a few minutes. Now I understood why. He'd given up everything for her. A century in chains because he loved someone that much.
“Skalgard is a horrible city. My sister and I tried to leave.” I swallowed hard. “I would’ve made the same choice as Kairos. Anything to spare her.”
Elwen smiled sadly. “He’d been gone for ages. We all assumed Kairos was lost forever. I used to dream about the day he’d return. But then he walked into the keep again. Alive. Free. It doesn’t feel real.”
I picked at the embroidery on my sleeve.
“You’ve given me back my brother, and I can’t repay that debt with dresses.” She clasped my shoulder. “But I’m trying to show how much you matter.”
My chest squeezed.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine.” I beamed at her. “Tell me about the party. The only ones I’ve known take place in taverns where the bards are too drunk to carry a tune. I have no idea what to expect.”
“We’re not so different from humans when we drink, only louder and more prone to questionable decisions.”
“Will Kairos be there the whole time?”
“He’ll be greeting delegates most of the evening. The southern clans, representatives from the other realms.” She adjusted a flower in my hair. “Uther will probably stick close to you, though.”
I squirmed. “The blood-drinker.”
Elwen stilled. “Don’t say that.”
