“The fae are still alive?” Good gods, he’d never learned so much new information at once. It was damn near unbelievable.
George nodded solemnly.
“If you can call it a life,” Dunstan grumbled.
The aides, the enslaved people George told him about, were all trapped inside thetruecapital. It wasn’t just mages being held; every pixie and every elf that the world thought to be gone lived there—in Hepikoru.
Conversation continued, and Isahn learned Duhra believed the fortress in Nowosmont was Gasparo’s home, not the well-hidden palace in the true capital. When he expressed disbelief, George explained how Domossans were also led to believe Hepikoru had been destroyed.
“The viceroys, lords and ladies, and most of the legionaries know the truth. They keep homes in both cities, ready to be called in at the whims of the Crown.”
“Wow,” Isahn breathed. “That’s... a lot. How do you get into Hepikoru? Why haven’t people wandered in by now? Why hasn’t anyonetold?”
“Fear and myth are powerful things. The mountains were raised by the gods in a single day. Wouldyouwant to venture up there?” Burke smirked, his usual jovial self.
Isahn aimed for a smile, saying, “Fair enough.”
“You get in through the lake,” Dunstan explained.
“Like, diving under it?”
“No.” Hildy shook her head. “We take boats. You’ll see.”
“I’ll see? Are you all taking me in?” Isahn couldn’t help the bubble of excitement rising in him despite the horrors Hepikoru was sure to hold.A secret bloody capital? Faeries?
“That’s the plan,” George rasped. “If you—” She cut herself off and swallowed.
“I’ll go with you,” he offered. “We’re allies now, right?”
Her responding smile was small, and her gaze remained fixed on the stacked maps.
“We’ve dumped a lot on you tonight. How about we answer questions tomorrow on our way into the city?” Hildy offered with a stretch that ended with her discreetly patting the princess on the back. The action seemed to draw Georgie from her hidden thoughts.
“You know, I’ve heard of this mountain thing before,” Isahn said lightly, hoping to lighten the mood.
“How?” Burke asked.
“My friend’s wife is a chaosweaver.”
“A what?”
“The ones who can ‘create’ from ‘nothing’?” He used air quotes to emphasize the words.
Burke nodded.
“Nesrina, the Lady of Stormhill, made a mountain for Kas.”
George snapped her head toward him so rapidly her curls swished around her face after she’d stopped moving. “Is it still there?”
“No, it was a temporary mirage. Really wound him up good though, impressed the pants off of him... literally.”
Everyone laughed, and he warmed as the kindling of new friendships burned bright in his chest.
eleven
George and Isahn make moves.
Thefollowingmorning,dressedin a lavenderstola, with an embroideredpalladraped over her shoulders, George knew she presented better than she felt. Her gown tickled the tops of her toes as she fixed thefibulaethat kept her shawl clasped around her shoulders. With her dangling earrings and beaded necklace, she looked powerful, bold, ready to take on the capital and all that entailed.
